How do I decide if TEACHING is right for me (after 5 years of college)??? Not disappoint my family?

Question

I am graduating in Dec. with a degree in Elem. Ed. I really like kids, I KNOW I could be a good teacher, have had tons of experience, and have spent the past 5 yrs of my life working for it. However, I don't know if it's what I want to do at THIS time in my life. AHH!!!

My fiance and I are getting married next year and his job will easily support us. Don't get me wrong, I WANT to work, I just don't know if teaching is right for me at this point in my life. I have thought about doing something with weddings, but I haven't had any experience at it, other than planning my own.

My mom is a teacher (the biggest reason that I decided to become one). I don't want to disappoint my family because they have thought I was going to be a teacher all along, but I do want to do what's right for me in my life.

I feel like I'm back to freshman year, not knowing what I want to do. How do I decide what's right for me? Anyone ever experienced anything similar?

Stories would be great!!

I have brought it up to my mom and she was somewhat disappointed to find out that I was even thinking about doing something else. I am so confused right now. I really don't know what to do.

My fiance knows how I feel and he is supportive of me no matter what I decide. He has told me more than anyone that I should what I WANT TO DO!! He's been the best!

Answer 1

Well my story is too long but it is simillar.
I personaly exausted all my ave. I even tried placement tests (you may want to do usually free or real cheap)...I finaly found mine but because you are 5 years in you have to see it thru to some degree. i have talked to many teachers and your sittuation is not uncommon. They ussualy figure out how to make both work or they go into a field make tons of money and realize that what they really want to do is teaching.

I say if its in your means try out a couple of things.....how ever you break it to your family make sure you explain that you are not giving up on it.... This is just a sort of "Leting the dove go to see if it comes back...if it does it was realy yours after all"

Answer 2

Options:
1) Go in for the one year contract and decide after the year is up
2) substitute teach to get your feet wet,
3) teach part time.
4) take a "gap year": a year to do something else to put things in perspective
5) become a wedding planner (don't forget to rent "The Wedding Planner" and "The Wedding Singer" before you start! (Oh, and "Father of the Bride", too!)


Not to put any pressure or anything, but we need more good teachers out there!
Since you are now engaged, you may feel all caught up with the wedding preparations and feel happy about planning for your wedding, but will you feel as content planning for someone else's wedding who may not share your ideas?

Besides, don't feel that teaching is an ends, but a means. It may be a vehicle to bring you to something else. (E.g. special education counsellor, carriers counsellor, curriculum writer, school adviser, etc.)

Think about it.

Answer 3

maybe not a story, but a sugg. whatever you enjoy doing in your life is what you will be good at working. if you take a job cause someone wants or thinks for you you will be miserable. my uncle was a police officer for years i mean years and he went into his own business. first it was selling clothes, who would of thought. i say if you like working with weddings then use it to your advantage your teaching skills somehow combine the two. see how you can use what yo have to do what you want

Answer 4

I don't understand why your choice in becoming a teacher or not would disappoint your family. The realitiy is the only important thing is that you are happy.

Answer 5

I did lots of subbing in all grades and general/special ed before settling down.

Answer 6

well most people don't work in the field that their degree is in...you can always just try substitute teaching or actually teach just for a year and if you like you like it!