Grade 12 year in high school I was accepted to University for teaching, and nursing. The following years I was again accepted into both. I never was able to afford to go. I figured God had something else in store for me when this never worked out.
Friends of mine got the idea in my head and on my heart to go to school to become a special education assistant. One being a dear friend who wears a cochlear implant, and back then was in elementary school, and her mom who saw how I would encourage her and help her with school work. They really lit a fire under my butt to work towards that. I was again accepted to school, this time for the EA course. Finances for it were stressing me out as I only worked in a retail store and my hours would go down once I started school, so that I could focus on it. Jason kindly helped me out. Later on he told me that he knew he’d marry me soon after our first date and that he was investing in our future.
I love my job, sure it stresses me out, challenges me, makes me want to cry, and it brings so much joy to my life. I have met so many incredible students and staff members. The is one thing I hear on a regular basis from all of them:
Have you thought of becoming a teacher?
Yes I have thought about it. It was my dream when I was younger, but I never looked back after journeying down this road I am currently on. At my current school I’ve been hearing this question daily for the past few weeks. Yesterday I almost broke down into tears as another teacher asked again the question that has been plaguing me for some time.
I’m still “young” according to the teachers I work with, many are encouraging me to at least look into it. It’s been on my heart and mind so much now that I mentioned it to Jason. For now I don’t think I’m ready to go back to school to further my education again. I am however thinking about this, and praying about it. Maybe God was yelling at me to listen up and start looking into this career again, through the voices of those around me? I do know that for now I really want to focus my time and attention on my little family. Maybe some day when my daughter is a bit older, and in school herself, this Mama will pick up her school bag and head back to school.
Have any of you gone back to school, and changed careers after what is considered the “normal” age for post secondary?
This family whole heartedly agrees you would be an amazing teacher!!!
Aww you guys are the best for always supporting me!
When I was at UFV, there were all ages there..Moms & Dad’s who worked other jobs while raising their kids, and were now going back to work. If we must work until we’re 65, it might as well be doing something we love! Doesn’t matter what age 🙂
Oops. I meant Moms & Dad’s who were going back to school to start a new career. lol
You may want to look into WorkBC when the timing is right. They do offer funded training for many to get a new job. The key piece is you need to have been on EI in the past two years (mat leave), need to prove you’re underemployed or not employed (may be best to look into this if you go on EI again because you’ll then be considered unemployed). Then you need to make a case as to why it would make sense to go into a different line of work (ie greater pay), what the job market is like (ie are they hiring or laying off teachers). If your case gets accepted, you can get up to (I believe) $9,000 in tuition, get money for books, can get paid EI while attending school, get your childcare subsidy topped off (if you qualify), and transportation $$. I just went though the process. It’s time consuming, but I got approved to do my yoga teachers training. We didn’t qualify for anything else outside of texts, and transport. But it’s REALLY something for you to look into when the time seems more right.
I have thought about going to back to school. I have 4 kids, ages 2 to 9, so not really sure how I be able to make it work. One day when my kids are older I might look into going back to school, but I’m not really sure what I would take.
I’m sure you have already been told this by the teachers at your school, but just in case you haven’t and assuming you are in BC, there I a program (I am not sure the name of it) where SEAS can use their work experience to decrease the number of years that they need to study in order to get their teaching certificate. The program started in or around 2007. A friend of my mom’s took it I wish I could remember how long it took, but I think it shortend the teaching program by a couple of years (aka aka ton of $$ as well as time).
It sounds like you are great with the students and will make an awesome teacher some day. Perhaps there is a way to take some of your courses online while your daughter is little. Either way, it is great that so many people recognize your talents and are rekindling your dream.