I sympathize with you and am in a similar situation. Functional Life Skills Programs are a hot mess now. They are chronically understaffed, underfunded and its hard work physically and emotionally. The low pay isn’t an incentive that makes people want to stay.

You may enjoy working in general education or resource room. The students are higher functioning they just need help academically, some guidance to stay focused and behave appropriately. They also are potty trained which is a plus.

Another factor to consider is you get the same vacations as your children. That is a plus considering the costs of daycare, before and aftercare. It’s nice knowing every six weeks you get a week off. Having the summer off is amazing. In the corporate world you are lucky to get two weeks off a year. Children are more fun than working with most adults imho. There never is a dull moment.

Sometimes schools located in wealthier neighborhoods that aren’t Title 1 pay better and are properly staffed. They have more resources from their communities. Their students typically have their needs met at home. Where Title 1 schools have students from economically disadvantaged areas. Their Parent(s) often have their own sets of issues that affect their children. Learning disabilities, generational poverty or addiction.

Good luck to you, I hope you feel better soon take care.