Should I change my major?

[Lindagerr]

I am at it again:confused:

I LOVE doing the teaching job, especially now that I know I will have this one student for the rest of the year. I think I have found my calling. Teaching one on one with this girl is wonderful

My problem is that now I don't know if I should finish my degree in Natural Sciences/mathmatics and then get a teaching certificate. I was thinking I would do it that way and then with all my science/math credits I could be a science/math teacher.

Now I wonder if I shouldn't just switch to an education major and skip worrying about taking calculus and physics.

Part of the difficulty of the decision is I have already paid my tuition through Oct. 09 at TESC and they do not have an education degree. The other part of my problem is if I am going to go for education I would prefer to make it special education and I think that would require my taking a lot more credits.

I also have to take into account the fact that I am 55 years old, I shouldn't have to work more than 5-10 years. My husband will have 30 years with his co. next month so we are fairly well covered for retirement.

I am having a real problem making a decision and this is causing me to procrastinate and not do anything to get me closer to my goal.

I would love some input.

[marianne202]

I too found my calling to education at 40 yrs old. But I prefer adult learners...I barely have patience some days for my 2 kids let alone a room full! LOL! My suggestion would be to finish where you are and find a teaching job. It will be much easier to find a job as a general subject (math/science) teacher than special ed. Get some experience and get your foot in the door with a school district then let them pay for your education as a special ed instructor. Most states and schools are hurting for teachers and will help pay or totally pay for teachers to continue their studies. In the meantime you can tutor or work on the side with agencies that help students with special needs. You will fill your special need love and still be using what you have already worked for without waiting another year or so to get done. Most states / schools do lateral entry because of the teacher shortage so you don't need a specific teaching degree. I would check with your state board of education. I know our state will give me 2 years under lateral entry to get my teaching certification so that may be an option for you. Also since Special Ed. positions are far fewer than general studies positions you get that valuable teaching experience and hear about positions that open up and they always prefer to hire those with some teaching experience and even more so those that they already know. Also any agencies that you might find work with will prefer or require some teaching experience. I hope these may give you some more options than you thought about. By the way math / science classes are really being focused on in many schools so again more job possibilities. Good luck! I know how fun and rewarding teaching can be!