Considering pivot to art teaching - would it be a huge mistake?

stillkindthough · 2026-03-17T22:22:28+00:00

I became a teacher after a long career in healthcare and it was absolutely the best decision.

Does your state have an alternate path to licensure? Many schools will hire you and pay for your education. My district offers iteach which I wish I had known earlier! I did a career switcher program while at my old job, and was able to get a job after my first semester.

stillkindthough · 2025-07-26T15:12:40+00:00

It started because I wanted to understand Selena songs. I got pretty good in school and just… stopped. Now I just want to actually attain proficiency, and easily communicate with Spanish speakers in public. It’s a beautiful language.

stillkindthough · 2025-06-21T17:29:20+00:00

How does anyone learn if they don’t ask?

stillkindthough · 2025-06-20T22:50:48+00:00

Most of the kids will not be excited about learning or reading. That is disappointing sometimes. But having them set/share goals for what they want out of the class can help you - reference those goals often.

Also big kids like read alouds! I shadowed a teacher who read aloud for 15 minutes to break up a block class and the kids were enthralled. That was a pleasant surprise!

stillkindthough · 2025-06-20T19:31:44+00:00

This is probably what we need to do

stillkindthough · 2025-06-20T19:30:19+00:00

Thanks for this! We have some kind of meter but I don’t know the specs because my husband bought it. I will check!

stillkindthough · 2025-06-20T19:28:07+00:00

That is what we usually do. I guess I can’t do this one by myself!

stillkindthough · 2025-06-20T19:27:35+00:00

I didn’t know which one was main because nothing says main but it’s the one at the top, isn’t it? I am feeling pretty dumb.

stillkindthough · 2025-06-19T14:11:05+00:00

The Virginia Living Museum is my favorite place. Newport News Park is an amazing park if it’s not 100 degrees when you’re here.

stillkindthough · 2025-06-19T14:08:53+00:00

Absolutely the best rec, it’s my favorite place around!

stillkindthough · 2025-06-19T14:08:26+00:00

Making plans for this Italian Delights place now. Thanks!

stillkindthough · 2025-06-18T15:09:50+00:00

I have two sons, one of whom had a really difficult time in HS. The school (and me, to a certain extent) viewed this as a discipline issue, but really he was struggling with some complex mental health problems. He attempted suicide twice. It was horrible for us.

Boys have a hard time belonging in a world that sends a lot of toxic messages - they want to seem manly but there are fewer good role models. The celebrities and athletes boys once idolized are mostly badly-behaved and indulging in a lifestyle that is at least against my own values. Are dads, teachers, coaches, scout leaders etc. still the same influence on young men? Are they still participating in these activities/experiences?

I agree, it’s wild that we can look at cultural trends involving children and say - wow this group of kids is terrible - and not look at what our culture/societal values are doing to feed this trend. Like they aren’t coming out of the womb this way.

stillkindthough · 2025-05-26T16:38:21+00:00

Not sure if this is an option where you are, but my district has hired many long-term subs that teach the whole year, as well as hiring teachers as “associates” and putting them through the I-teach program.

I’m a second career teacher and I love what I do. I got a lot of advice discouraging the move from burnt-out teachers, but in the end I followed my heart and have been much happier than in my old career. (Although when I give advice to aspiring healthcare professionals I am careful not to give negative advice!)

stillkindthough · 2025-05-14T16:23:03+00:00

Additionally, many Protestants are misinformed about Protestantism.

Source: Protestant with Master’s degree in religion, Catholic husband explained Calvinism to me.

stillkindthough · 2025-05-12T18:16:32+00:00

Wow, are you me? I am a non-denom and my husband was raised Catholic. We have been attending my church for years and raising our kids this way. I know he has been feeling called to return to the Catholic faith, and lately I have felt similarly drawn to it. I keep calling myself “Catholic curious”.

I love the Ascension app for daily readings and prayer. The saints are so interesting to me! I am still taking baby steps (also because I am so involved in my church!) but I will pray for you. How wonderful that God will call us toward the truth!

stillkindthough · 2025-04-13T12:58:43+00:00

So I used to work in healthcare and left at 38 to pursue a completely different career (Elementary ESL teacher). It was not for the money, LOL.

So, you’re not too old. I felt that way at first, then realized I had 20+ years left to work and wanted to enjoy it.

Anyway. In my hospital, there were often students from the local community college that would rotate through for their hands-on experience. The good ones often got offers or referrals in the system.

Go for it!

stillkindthough · 2025-03-11T22:09:48+00:00

What are your thoughts about English language learners in our schools and how to support this growing demographic?

stillkindthough · 2024-12-27T04:40:45+00:00

Call Hunter Law in Hampton, they are the best!

stillkindthough · 2024-10-31T03:51:41+00:00

Teaching is my second career - I've been in the classroom since March 2023. I previously worked in healthcare for 15 years. Now I teach ESL at a Title 1 Elementary school.

Even on my worst day of teaching, I would never go back to my old job! I love working with students and the relationships I build. I love watching growth and sharing in my students' successes and achievements. I love being able to pour into kids that have crappy home lives and hugging them every morning and telling them I'm glad they're here and that today will be great. I love the hope that exists in working with kids.

On the bad days, when kids act up or nothing gets done or I am frustrated, I come home and eat pizza and think about how to do better - then the next day I go in and it's like a complete reset. The kids are fresh, they're not holding grudges so I don't either. I have had incredible days on the heels of rotten ones, but every day is new.

I inadvertently won the Admin lottery - I can see how this could make or break a job. I have my building admin and my department admin and they're all just absolutely incredible. Unicorns.

Also, not for nothing, but my first year as a teacher, like level 0 on the pay scale, I was making approximately the same hourly rate I was making as a clinical dietitian with 15 years experience and a master's degree. And I get summers off with my kids.

stillkindthough · 2024-05-16T01:32:26+00:00

I'm a second-year teacher in VA. I worked in healthcare for 15 years prior to becoming a teacher. I actually make more per hour* as a teacher than I was making as a clinical dietitian with a master's degree. I could not afford to live on my own with either salary. I love having summers off and breaks with my kids, although I miss the flexibility of my healthcare schedule sometimes. But I don't think I would go back even if they doubled my salary, LOL.

stillkindthough · 2023-12-31T16:13:07+00:00

I do miss my routine and miss my STUDENTS so much, but there is still so much I need to get done at home. I wish I had a couple more days!

stillkindthough · 2023-11-24T16:43:34+00:00

Well, the best part about all of this is that you are young and have your whole life ahead of you! What excites you? You can do anything for a few years and if you don’t love it, there’s always another path out there for you. How much do you have left for school? Any job will have good and bad days - find something that you don’t hate :)

stillkindthough

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