Hello from TX :a little update and a mid-life crisis

[Kim in Appalachia]

I've been keeping up with the boards when I can, but I've been busy since moving last summer.

 

We moved to the heart of TX, but didn't get a fixer upper.  :tongue_smilie:  :laugh:

 

Any way, moving was stressful, but we are settled. We enrolled the 3 boys in school, and they are doing well. The only exception to that was that my middle son, who played baseball back in TN, discovered that it's a lot more competive here.  He didn't make the school team. :( He's determined to keep trying, and I can't seem to convince him to try for something else.  

 

Moving from rural TN to TX was a bit like moving to another country.  

 

I have been subbing at the school, the high school, middle and intermediate. I've enjoyed it. It's been good to get to know the teachers, the school system and the kids.  

 

Now for my mid-life crisis.  What do I want to do when I grow up?

 

My original plan had been to sub for the next year and a half, then seek a full time job, some office type job (we will have 2 in college at that point).

 

I realized that if I re-entered the workforce at that point I would have no vacation time.  I'd be starting all over.   So I started thinking about teaching.

 

I could persue an alternative teaching certificate.   I would need to secure some recomendations, as well as a aid job, but I believe I can get that.  

 

I know I would be a good teacher. I don't know if I would love it. I could do it, I may even enjoy it at times.  But I don't know.........

 

For the most part, I'm leaning this way.  It would take a couple of years to do, but I could do it. I believe I could find some job when I graduate, but there is a risk.  For the most part, this area is growing fast, and I would have a good in by already working in the school.

 

I'm also thinking about becoming an OTA.  This would require a little bit more, since I lack some of the pre-rec's that are needed.  It would also mean that lack of that vaction thing.  But the pay would be pretty good and I could work PRN.  I could also move and still find work (we're planning on being here at least 8 years).

 

I'm looking for additional thoughts. 

 

Everyday the pendulum swings one way or another.  I could also just keep subbing. While more money would be good, my dh could work extra and quickly make more than I could working full time.

 

This is about me. I want a career.  I want something for me. 

 

Oh, additional background about me.  I have a degree in Business Admin and finance from 25 yrs ago.........so not in either field.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Thanks for the update.  No real advice on what to be when you grow up, though.  ;)

[lmrich]

Check to see which areas have teacher shortages. Often if you get your certification in a field that is in critical need, you will get a scholarship and much higher chance of getting a job. 

 

Good luck! 

[Guest]

Welcome to Texas! Texas is the best country in the whole country. (LOL)

 

No advice on what to do when you grow up, but welcome to adulthood! (LOL)

[Twigs]

… 

 

My original plan had been to sub for the next year and a half, then seek a full time job, some office type job (we will have 2 in college at that point).

 

I realized that if I re-entered the workforce at that point I would have no vacation time.  I'd be starting all over.   So I started thinking about teaching. …

 

Check the benefits for the job you are looking at. The jobs I've had, the vacation hours start accruing at the 3rd month, maybe at the 1st month. Currently I accrue 6.67 hours per month, with a total of 80.04 hours per year. After 7 years, I will get more vacation time. Most of the jobs I've had also allow time off without pay.

 

Welcome to Texas!

[Kim in Appalachia]

See, 7 years is a long time for more vacation time.  By the time I start working I'll be 50.  I'm looking at 10 to 12 years of working.

 

As far as which teaching jobs are in most demand.......I'm not that great at math, I could never past the exam for that.  Science would be a little easier, but I'm not that fond of teaching science.  I'm more and English or history person.  And i think English would be the easiest way to go because I believe I have 12 credits from college (maybe only 9, i have to check), but it would be easier to persue.

 

My head has been spinning.  I feel like time is ticking away and I need to figure it out.

 

If I want to teach I need to secure and aid job and get recommendations.  If I decide on OTA I need to start setting seeking volunteer opportunties.  

 

I could let it go another year, but once my son enters college I'll be feeling pressure to not be in school (pressure from me).

 

Blah......This is what happens when I have a day off.  My head goes round and round trying to figure out what I want. Up until this month had had been subbing everday.  But they upped the pay this month and every sub in the area has come out of the woodwork. :D

[Kim in Appalachia]

Kinsa,

 

We are liking TX.  AT least when people ask where we just came from, when I say TN there is some respect.   :lol:  Most people say that if they couldn't live in TX they woud live in TN.

[LucyStoner]

Special education teachers are also in high demand.

 

At least around here it's pretty hard to get high school English, History, Art or humanities teaching jobs because there are more applicants than positions. It may be different in places with lower teacher pay though.

[Kim in Appalachia]

Special education teachers are also in high demand.

 

At least around here it's pretty hard to get high school English, History, Art or humanities teaching jobs because there are more applicants than positions. It may be different in places with lower teacher pay though.

 

 

There were a lot of open positions this year, though I've no idea how many applicants per job.  It could be high.  The city always has jobs in demand. No one wants to work there......

 

Special Ed seems to come in waves (as far as jobs).  Right now there isn't much.

 

OTA, on the other hand has tons of work, everywhere.  I do understand the work. My dh did a lot of work in a nursing home.  My dd has worked as a CNA and we have a few friends who are OTs, in fact I'm thinking of seeing if we can get together for dinner with one of them and see her thoughts. 

[Kim in Appalachia]

This probably deserves a separate post.  But in TN we lived in house that was built in 1902.  I did a lot on that house myself, ripping down wallpaper, ripping up carpet. Most of me hated that house.  We bought it because it was the best option there, and we were able to sell it (at a huge lost, but still) .  Here is TX we bought a brand new place, just built.  I love it!  I never, ever want an old house again.  

[Twigs]

See, 7 years is a long time for more vacation time.  By the time I start working I'll be 50.  I'm looking at 10 to 12 years of working.

 

…

 

If 2 weeks vacation in a year is not enough, going the education route is probably the best choice.

 

I tutor at the community college. I get the 2 weeks vacation + 2 weeks at Christmas + 1 week spring break.

 

Best wishes.

[Barb_]

Welcome back, Kim.

[bettyandbob]

What about support positions based at the school. Often there are a few support positions that are 11 months. Just a few more days than teachers. They do pay less, but most new teachers spend the first couple of years working way more than full time and spending a lot of that vacation time planning for what's coming.

[Kim in Appalachia]

What about support positions based at the school. Often there are a few support positions that are 11 months. Just a few more days than teachers. They do pay less, but most new teachers spend the first couple of years working way more than full time and spending a lot of that vacation time planning for what's coming.

 

 

At the beginning of this school year I was thinking about subbing until I could get a support position, but now I believe I want more of a career. 

 

But it would be easier to head that route.

[Hen]

does it have to be paid vacation? maybe you are looking at this from a limited angle. can you find the career you want and when you need a vacation just take it off as unpaid?  This is what I am doing, I have re-entered the workforce and I do take time off, but it is unpaid. Dh has paid vacation and he supports us, my money is helping money...for college stuff, school stuff for the kids. 

[Kim in Appalachia]

does it have to be paid vacation? maybe you are looking at this from a limited angle. can you find the career you want and when you need a vacation just take it off as unpaid?  This is what I am doing, I have re-entered the workforce and I do take time off, but it is unpaid. Dh has paid vacation and he supports us, my money is helping money...for college stuff, school stuff for the kids. 

 

 

no, It would not have to be paid, but I don't know of many jobs that can afford for an employee to just take time off, but you are correct I may need to look at it a different way.

 

I really could just do an aide or some other support type job at the school, and I may stick to that plan.

 

But a large part of me would like the ability to make a real income, not just supplement a little.

[Ellie]

:seeya:

 

We could be neighbors!!

[Guest]

Kinsa,

 

We are liking TX. AT least when people ask where we just came from, when I say TN there is some respect. :lol: Most people say that if they couldn't live in TX they woud live in TN.

Ah, that's because Davy Crockett, hero of the Battle of the Alamo, was from Tennessee. So that makes Tennessee palatable to Texans. (LOL)

[Kim in Appalachia]

:seeya:

 

We could be neighbors!!

 

 

I pm'd you. :)

[Hilltopmom]

You could become an OTA but work in the school system or do Early Intervention or preschool special Ed services.

 

Then you are still mostly on a school schedule:)

 

Here, OTs and OTAs are in such high demand that they can also dictate part time hours at the hospital or nursing home even (probably even negotiate extra vacation time at hiring for full time jobs).

 

Every job dh has taken, he's requested extra vaca time as part of his package, it's always been agreed on easily, just by asking.

[kroe1]

Bottom line, it boils down to vacations and flexibility vs. something new with only 2 weeks of vacation. Personally, I like flexibility. Have you considered something like a tech or secretary in an ER? Many times one can find 12 hour shifts which can be crammed together a bunch of days in a row so that one can have a week off every month. Right now, I work 2 1/2 really exhausting weeks in a row so I can have 1 1/2 weeks off every month.