Change of Pace

[outofreality23]

I've decided that this coming school year will be my last to teach in my current position.  I currently teach 5th/6th grade music & choir, which I enjoy to a certain extent, but it's certainly not what I set out to do in this life.

So I'm moving on.

I've got two options I'm very interested in pursuing.

OPTION 1:  Teach abroad for a year (most likely

Comments

Hopefully my 'nuggets' of insight aren't too excessive - oops

[johnrye]

If you do choose to go back to grad school, it is better going sooner than later. The longer you may prolong it the less likely it tends to happen. At least you do have some work experience under you. Recently many grad schools are requiring students to leave, get a job, and then come back. That happened to my friend at A&M and my cousin. That and from my experience, work experience seems to trump schooling (but then again I haven't looked in the teaching field yet).
If you really aren't fully content with what you're doing, and have aspirations for elsewhere, go for it! Now is a good time as any to go anywhere. I mean, if you don't have anything holding you down (i.e. kids, spouse, contract, etc), go for it. Have fun!!
Finally, the teaching aboard sounds like the most fun. I mean, going to another country to live/work just seems like fun for me. And with your certifications and work experience, I'm sure it won't be too hard to find someplace to go. Just one negative point to that, it doesn't pay well, but if you have any debt under control or money isn't an issue, than it's really not much of a negative point at all. My friend's sister worked out in France for 2 years and her parents had to help her financially, but some countries also help subsidize your housing. Other than that, it's a life changing and exciting experience. My year abroad is still marked as the best year of my life. So go for it!!

Re: Hopefully my 'nuggets' of insight aren't too excessive - oops

[outofreality23]

Yeah, I wondered about the financial reality of teaching abroad. My parents aren't so much in a position to help me out, so I'd pretty much be on my own in terms of money... Something to consider. Thanks for bringing that point up.

From what I can tell just in my preliminary searches, you are right about some of the grad schools wanting work experience, but as you said, the longer I wait the less likely it is that I'll do it. Plus, I've got four years under my belt now. That's not so bad, but I guess it depends on what they're lookig for.

Thanks for the input! :-)

Re: Hopefully my 'nuggets' of insight aren't too excessive - oops

[johnrye]

No prob. Good luck.