I know many teachers, like my mother, know they want to be teachers from the time they are little. Growing up with an educator for a parent, being a teacher was the last thing I wanted to do. My dream for the longest time was to become a pilot. Life happened though! No flight schools near where I live and the cost was just too much. Once I got to college, I realized I wanted to work with people. So I narrowed things down to nursing, social work, law enforcement, or education. Unfortunately, I can't handle seeing people in pain so nursing went out the window lol I do think things worked out. I love my profession. So if I wasn't teaching, I'd be a social worker...or maybe writing! If only I wasn't so exhausted when I come home from work.
I have a lot of interests. I could picture myself in the social services field (I think I'd burn out quickly) or working in computer programming (being behind a desk all day is hard for me!). But I was a person who always wanted to be a teacher. I've wavered on that a bit but it's what I've always come back to. Ultimately I think it's the best fit for me.
I wanted to be a Mom (if anyone says being a parent isn't a job I think they are wrong) or teacher or nurse, but after seeing blood that was involved with nursing I knew that was out... lol. Although I feel like a Physician Assistant, at least. Lol. They more I think about it not sure... I always knew I wanted to work with children. People always told me that too.
Anything with space! Astronomer, aerospace technology, engineer, astrophysicist - not saying I could make all the requirements or be able to even do it BUT I love it.
I would be in PR, or advertising - my best guess. If you were to ask my family, however, they will say I would have been a lawyer - every last one of them. H-mmm - I say that the jury is still out on that! In truth, I have a science view and outlook on every facet of life. I see life through the lens of science, inquiry, research, and proof. It colors my world. Thought about med school, or nursing, but hoped for vet school. Instead, I got my hubby's business up and running, became a parent, and then learned that everything I had been taking in, my entire life, made me perfect to pursue teaching. I can't imagine living without pursuing my own extended education - I love taking classes, learning new things. Without that "mom" gig, I would have continued to pursue writing in some form or other - never dreamed of being a teacher. Now, I can't imagine being anything else.
One of the greatest teachers I ever had was a graphics artist before he started teaching. I learned so much from him and he made me love my design class so much I actually almost went into the profession. I'm glad I ended up where I did but I'll always appreciate the love for art and design that he gave me. Although, being in a profession before teaching that subject doesn't always mean you'll be the greatest teacher. I had a chemistry teacher who knew the subject extremely well but couldn't teach it to save her life!!! It was torture to be in that class
I love that. The grass is definitely not greener. While waiting for paperwork from the department of education, I ended up working at an insurance company. The branch I worked at was the top in the state. If I had stayed there, my income eventually could have been substantial. However, the things I was expected to do lacked morality. The people I worked with were horrendous. They lived for one thing, money. At least in my classroom, I don't have to deal with other adults for the most part. I have my kids. That's one of the best parts about teaching. Just having your kids, your room, and your rules. Not having to deal with certain BS is heaven.
I'm not teaching in my own classroom right now, I'm a literacy coach, and I think this is as far away from a classroom as I could ever be. I miss having my own class very much and know I will return to that sooner rather than later. I honestly can't see myself doing anything else!
If you don't mind my asking, what types of things do you do as a literacy coach at your school? I've been to two schools now and it's been pretty surprising how different the experiences have been. Do you take kids and work with them? Or do you go into classrooms to model things? You rather be in the classroom again? Sorry for all the questions!
This isn't a make-believe question for me. I HAD backed away from teaching in my 20s because I knew I didn't have the maturity to deal with the age of students I wanted. It was a decade of finance, banking, and customer service. I was good at it but it didn't make me happy. Heck, I wound up interrupting my subbing career for several months to handle accounts receivable / payable for a small software company. It was miserable, but that was mostly due to how poorly the company was run (they were purchased by a competitor months after I quit).
Graphic designers earn much less than teachers though right? but money doesn't matter as long as you can live below your means or bring down the standards of living and happy with what you are doing everyday
If I wasn't teaching, I'd be an online entrepreneur. I would have my own online business and just rely on myself to make a living. Right now, I only earn a few hundred bucks per year with the stuff I sell online. Not enough to quit my teaching job yet lol. Maybe one day!!
Yes and it's also very competitive. You have to be EXTREMELY talented and marketable to be successful with it. I was not.
I'd like to go into PR or HR, or try my hand at anything in the business world. There was a victim's advocate position open a few months ago that I was interested in, but I didn't want to leave my school high and dry. I'm afraid if I get out of teaching and want to get back in, I won't be able to, especially if I break my contract.
I thought about nursing, but can't handle others blood so that was out. I started out in college wanting to be a vet. After working with my grandpa for a couple of summers, I decided that was out. Changed to accounting/business. Nope. I have thought about going back to become a lawyer, specializing in special education law or becoming an advocate.
Engineer, inventor, pilot, archaeologist, professional adventurer, astronaut... Do I have to pick one? I love teaching. I just think I would love to do all of these things too. But I'd probably always come back to teaching. (It's a good thing teaching credentials pretty much last your entire life as long as you renew them.)
