Is being an elementary school teacher worth it?

Question

Any teachers out there?! Do you like it? Are you living comfortably? Pros and cons that I should consider? I’m really considering going to school for this. I love helping kids and interacting with them. I feel like it would be a rewarding job. The pay is honestly holding me back..

Answer

If you’re going into the profession for the pay, you are going into it for the wrong reason. The pay for any teacher is honestly pretty crappy. You definitely don’t go into it for the pay. You go into it because you feel called to do it. You go into it because you have a passion for children and imparting wisdom upon them. It definitely isn’t a profession for everyone. Parents are nearly impossible to work with and the kids can run even the best of teachers ragged due to lack of accountability and discipline at home. Those who love it stay no matter what because they couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Those who don’t leave often right after their first school year. It’s a calling. But it definitely isn’t money driven.

Answer

This job definitely isnt for the pay but school or child development teachers have extremely rewarding but difficult jobs. Aside from EMT's and ER doctors we have the 2nd highest burn out rate in the work force. It is such a demanding job so if you arent cut out for it then maybe it's best to pursue something else. I love teaching. I love helping my kids grow and learn. I love to help them become independent. They look at me as someone who has their back and I watch them grow more confidently. But I have days where the kids are having a bad day and so they're a little more difficult to handle and it ends up taking a toll on you and your coworkers in various ways. The hardest thing I've had to do yet is talk a child out of running away and that thinking suicide was a good idea because his uncle had done it just recently and he felt so alone. Yes this was elementary school. Kids go through some tough stuff and you gotta be able to reach them without putting any of your bias in their face. It's really hard but so rewarding. I feel like I have 60 kids of my own, each unique and needing to be enriched in some way.

Answer

I was an elementary teacher (taught first, second, and fourth throughout my career) for six years. I loved it and it is truly rewarding!!! 🙌🏾 The pay is not good, however it was not an issue for me. When I first started teaching, my parents were still taking care of me financially and then I got married and my husband makes a lot of money. So for me, the financial part was not bad, however if I were on my own, I'm not sure if I could have made it.🤷🏾‍♀️ When I gave birth, my husband and I decided it would be best if I resigned as opposed to returning to work and having to hire a nanny for childcare. Since he makes so much money, we were not worried. However, I began to miss teaching after a few months, but still did not want to leave my baby girl. I decided to start an Education Consulting Business from home. I love it! I am still an educator while being a SAHM. I get to continue my career. I still get to make a difference, just more behind the scenes. Please go into education because it is your passion and you want to make a difference. Do not go into it for pay because you will be disappointed.

Answer

If you start a program you’ll be student teaching, and that will help you decide if it’s right for you.  I always thought I wanted to teach high school or middle school but I’m teaching elementary and I love it.  The kids make it worth it.  They are funny and silly and loving, and yes, sometimes they behave badly.  But not because they want to - because they have issues just like adults.  A lot of my students deal with things that I didn’t deal with as a child.  I am there to teach them, yes, but I want them to know I love and care about them and will support them no matter what.  You can’t expect a kid to learn who is hungry, who is in pain, who is stressed, which I why their basic needs are more important than whatever academics you want to teach that day.  I always keep snacks in my room, I let kids eat if they tell me they are hungry and I want them to feel safe so I can then begin to teach them academics. 
Teaching is exhausting, but I think that’s mostly all of the pointless staff meetings you have to go to.  I don’t make a lot of money, but I’m comfortable, and I get raises every year. If you have a masters you will make more money.  I live in CA, so I guess it depends on what state you live in.  Retirement is good for teachers in CA.  If one day I have kids I am glad that I’ll have the summer off with them.  I love teaching, and I feel like it is my calling in life.  I hope you find yours.

Is being an elementary school teacher worth it?

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