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19825. arkymalarky - 7/25/2006 6:29:59 PM We went to CO for over 2 weeks, but I carved that in stone to follow that 12 day seminar I had for grad school in June. I've gotten very possessive about having at least a few weeks of summer downtime, for my own sanity. Not that it's working. I also still work on stuff when I'm gone.
It usually seems like summer gets past me, but after I get through this school year things will be a lot less booked up. I've found over 25 years and having Mose that it gets worse every summer until your kids are driving age, then it gets better. If your salary is affected by grad school, I'd get started on it now. That was a big mistake on my part, and if I had my degree already I'd be in much better shape instead of looking at a year ahead that's FAR too busy. I've also had to become very good at using that two-letter word NO.
I'm going to try to take nine hours a semester this year so I won't have to go to school next summer. Mose is getting married in March. This all means that this school year will be insane, but next summer will be MINE, ALL MINE!!
Now that my rural ed work is in the long-term stage I'm maintaining a slow and steady pace with it, and after November elections and January's legislative session our fate should be determined once and for all.
Whatever happens, I only have 3 more years I HAVE to teach if something happens to my school, and if I stay happy--there or somewhere else--I'll drop to part time after four years or so and teach until I don't enjoy it or I drop dead--whichever comes first. So that means that my summers will be all mine from here on out. Or at least until I get grandkids. 19826. Jenerator - 7/25/2006 6:38:49 PM That's awesome Arky!! I am so glad you're in school so that you can eventually do what you really want to do.
Here, I have to either get my Ph.D in education in order to be a principal or move into administration, OR, find a new career.
I'm not really sure what I want to do. I love having summers off (education is great for time with your family), but the pay is mediocre and I want to do something else, something more.
I do not have the time for classes right now, so I am stuck in a rut.
PLUS, my husband's job is so chaotic and demanding that we can barely make plans one week at a time.
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I applied for two coveted jobs that I was more than qualified for and came recommended by the big kahunas and I didn't so much as get an acknowledgment of my resume! I am feeling a bit stuck and directionless.
I don't want to be a principal. The thought of having to deal with behavioral issues even more than now is crazy. 19827. arkymalarky - 7/25/2006 6:46:35 PM I'm doing exactly what I want to do now, Jen, but in AR your salary is thousands of dollars higher if you have a masters, and your retirement is based on your three highest years of income.
If my school closes, with my masters I'll be working exclusively with ELL students part time. If it stays open, I'll be there as long as it's there, doing what I do now. 19828. arkymalarky - 7/25/2006 6:49:34 PM You sum up why a lot of people get out of teaching, and instead of addressing that, most state administrations focus on things that don't affect the quality of the job at all, but actually make it worse on teachers who choose to teach in poor and urban districts.
I wouldn't be a principal for a mint, much less a superintendent. I took the "wrong" ed law class in the spring--for administrators, not teachers--and they tried to get me to swtich to the admin program. That's one place the word "no" came in VERY handy. 19829. arkymalarky - 7/25/2006 6:51:23 PM Plus, I'm forgetting, but you have your masters already, don't you? I wouldn't go past that unless I really wanted to get into another career. I thought for a while I would like to do ed law, but I'm getting fed up trying to deal with the political end of it. I'll keep advocating for rural/poor schools, but people's hateful attitudes and lack of understanding of education issues gets very tiresome. 19830. arkymalarky - 7/25/2006 6:54:40 PM One possibility with your educational background to keep similar hours, or at least a better schedule, would be on the marketing end of education. Supplying schools is big business, not just with books and materials, but with software, inservice programs, etc. I would suck at that, but I know a number of former teachers who are doing very well providing goods and services to schools. 19831. arkymalarky - 7/25/2006 7:20:18 PM My husband says that we'll start having a once a month date night.
That's a very good idea, especially for two busy people with two small children. Bob and I need to do something like that this school year. We talked about every Saturday night--not necessarily going anywhere, but making that "our" time--but I don't know if we can manage it.
19832. Jenerator - 7/25/2006 7:39:38 PM Thanks for listening Arky.
The only place for me to move "up" is to either go into school administration (Principal or main Admin.) I need a Ph.D to be competitive.
I get a whopping $500 more a year for my MA.
Tell me more about supply positions. 19833. sakonige - 7/25/2006 8:11:10 PM hi, you guys.
19834. sakonige - 7/25/2006 8:12:38 PM I'm not baking cakes with the Indians anymore. I'm back in the software industry. 19835. arkymalarky - 7/25/2006 8:12:52 PM Dadgum. The state mandate for a masters is $5000 in AR. Of course we pay a lot less than TX, but our cost of living is generally lower than most anywhere, especially housing, and our retirement is very good.
WRT supplies, anything from graduation materials (caps and gowns, rings, invitations) to inservice training, text supplements, etc. In AR they recruit retiring teachers, especially for selling supplemental insurance, TSAs, etc. It's an already existing and stable network and there's room to work your way up within whatever area you go into. They like teachers, for obvious reasons, when they can get them. I don't know a lot about it, other than knowing teachers who've successfully changed careers into that area. 19836. sakonige - 7/25/2006 8:13:49 PM somebody offered me a pile of cash and I thought, what the hell. May as well take it. 19837. arkymalarky - 7/25/2006 8:14:59 PM Hey Sakonige!!
I'm back in the software industry.
Now THAT'S good work if you can get it.
And education software is a huge business these days. 19838. sakonige - 7/25/2006 8:17:54 PM hi, arky.
I never did get settled in as a teacher. I wanted to teach Indian kids, but I found out I had to establish myself with my own tribe before I could teach effectively in another. Then I found out my tribe is already overflowing with teachers. So I decided to try something else. Maybe start a small business.
But now I don't need to do that, either. It's back to the same old same old, except I'm making almost twice as much as I ever have. 19839. sakonige - 7/25/2006 8:20:25 PM Software and engineering in general is a pain in the butt, literally. 19840. sakonige - 7/25/2006 8:23:13 PM There is no job security in engineering.
You only have your job until the project is finished, then you have to find another one, either with the same company or another. You are constantly thinking about your resume. 19841. arkymalarky - 7/25/2006 8:23:55 PM Sounds like you're in a good spot to plan for a business.
Your tribe is fortunate. On a national level, Native American groups have come from around the country to some of the meetings I've gone to because they have similar situations--rural poverty and difficulty attracting and retaining teachers. 19842. sakonige - 7/25/2006 8:24:10 PM anyway, I'll see you guys later.
I'm glad to see the website is still active. Thanks, Jay. 19843. wonkers2 - 7/25/2006 8:25:49 PM Sakonige, are you a fan of Jack Abramoff and Ralph Read? They are known for helping our Native American friends. 19844. arkymalarky - 7/25/2006 8:25:51 PM That's one thing about teaching that makes up for the low pay--job security, even in the worst times. I know if my school shuts down I will be able to get a job in another district, and have several positions to choose from.
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