Thinking about changing my schooling path... so many pros and cons...

[StephandOwen]

I started college last fall with the intention of getting an associates degree then transferring to the local university (I'm at a community college now) for the next 2 years to get my degree in special education (learning and behavior).

Now I'm so.... frustrated.... sad.... unhappy.... with life in general (see thread in TAO about the work situation) that I don't know what I want to do.

I never was one for school (though I'm doing okay now- in the fall I had 3 A's and 1 B). I'm not fond of it though. It's just something I'm doing to get through it and get a decent job to help support our family. I'm just not happy in school. It's a lot of pressure on me, along with working and being a mommy and partner. DP is enormously supportive and helpful. He has been here every step of the way helping with everything he can think of to take some of the weight off my shoulders.

I was thinking tonight that I might change it to get my Associate in Applied Science with Teacher Associate Option. This would also include all the classes needed for a Paraeducator. So I was thinking of changing to this, which I could knock out all the rest of the classes I need through summer, next fall and next spring. Then trying to get a paraeducator job in fall 2011 (there's no shortage of those jobs around here). This would let me get my foot in the door and see if I even want to pursue a degree in special education. At that time I can continue to work (as a paraeducator) while continuing school to get a higher degree (teacher? special education?).

However, there are some pretty big cons. Right now since I'm low income (they don't count dp's income since he is not ds's bio-dad) then ds get Medicaid.... which helps A LOT since he has autism and is in multiple therapies. If I get a job as a paraeducator it might knock me out of the medicaid bracket, so ds would lose his medicaid. At that time dp and I would probably get married (the only reason we're waiting is the insurance issue) and put ds and myself on dp's insurance. HOWEVER, his insurance sucks and we would be paying out of pocket for pretty much all of ds's therapy. We can't afford that. We would be able to afford it IF I had a better paying job with insurance options (such as a teacher) so that we could double up on insurance for ds.

Pros would be I can get out of the current work situation I am in and never look back. If I worked as a paraeducator with the public school system (which I'm 99% sure I would) then I would have most all days off that ds has off (snow days, holidays, winter/spring/summer break, etc). I would be making about twice as much as I make now. A lot of my current stress would be lifted (though I'm sure there would be new stress ). If I decide that special education is not for me then I wouldn't have spent all that money on a degree I don't want to use! Much easier to change my mind after a 2 year degree than a 4 year!

Our ultimate goal, as a family, is to get me into a decent paying job (teacher is decent enough, even though they don't make much) so that dp can go back to school too. He wants out of the business world eventually but he can't go back to school until I'm making enough to help support us. I think he would like to explore teaching as well. Our dream would be both of us working for the same school district so we have the same vacations and plenty of time to spend with ds.

I just don't think I can do 3 more straight years of school while working at dead end jobs (that, truthfully, are wearing too hard on my heart right now).

[AllyRae]

Honestly, and you know I love you, my ultimate goal would be financial self-sufficiency. It stinks having to pay co-pays for therapies (which ones is he in right now? I thought they were through the school?), but ultimately, medicaid is supposed to be aid for those who need it. If you can get a job that would pay more, making it easier to pay your own co-pays, that would be my first choice without a doubt because then it frees up the money in the (already stretched) system for someone who truly needs it. It sucks (trust me...I have 2 special needs kids and so the amount we pay in co-pays every week would blow most people's minds. But we gave up the dream of fancy vacations, etc. because being financially responsible for our own family's needs is a priority.)

That, and being able to be happy with your work, knowing you are doing what you were truly meant to do, and giving yourself a foot in the door at a time where a lot of people would kill for a shot at a decent job are all huge positives. Honestly, I don't see any reason you shouldn't go for it. Any job that pays enough to take you out of the low income category would likely also have insurance available (especially since the new health laws will require employers of more than a certain number of people to have insurance available...so if you're working for a school district, likely you will be able to get insurance).

Also, the climate in 2 years might change--Kentucky might finally pass those autism laws making it something that insurance is required to cover. And there might be options for you to get Owen on your county's MRDD funding that would give him a grant towards services if in 2 years he's even receiving services outside of the school district.

So, as your sister, I'd tell you to go for it. You know where you really want to be and what you really want to do, and you have the opportunity. And I know that you'll make a huge difference in the kids you'll be working with (although the babies you work with now will miss you, I'm sure. )

[sparklett]

It sounds to me like you need the better job with the benefits and it sounds like becoming a paraeducator would allow you to do this. If insurance is what is holding you back, then you need to change to the paraeducator program since it might give you better opportunities in the long run. I wouldn't let something like insurance hod you back.

[StephandOwen]

Originally Posted by AllyRae

It stinks having to pay co-pays for therapies (which ones is he in right now? I thought they were through the school?)

Most of his therapies are through the school during the school year (minus the behavior therapy). During the summer we planned on doing speech, OT and feeding but with how well he's doing I think I might just do feeding this summer.

That, and being able to be happy with your work, knowing you are doing what you were truly meant to do, and giving yourself a foot in the door at a time where a lot of people would kill for a shot at a decent job are all huge positives.

[/quote]Also, the climate in 2 years might change--Kentucky might finally pass those autism laws making it something that insurance is required to cover.[/quote]

There is one that is passed and currently waiting to be signed. However, after many phone calls to Jason's insurance company we've discovered that his insurance is except and doesn't have to follow any of those laws because he has some funky kind of insurance (self *something* insurance... drawing a blank on the name).

Originally Posted by sparklett

It sounds to me like you need the better job with the benefits and it sounds like becoming a paraeducator would allow you to do this.

Sooo... the math breaks down to this. If I did the full time paraeducator job (which would be hard for me to finish school doing it full time and would take longer for me to get through school) I would make about $12,000/year before taxes. I don't know what the benefits would be. Working the job I have now I make about $8,000/year before taxes working pt (3 days per week and going to school the other 2 days). No benefits (as far as medical or anything) but I get some paid holidays and I basically get any time off I want (with 1 week paid per year). If I worked at this job ft I would make about $12,000 (but that would be working about 250 days/year whereas working ft as a para is 182 days/year).

I've done some more looking into it and there's also substitute paraeducator opportunities, which would allow me to continue to do my school and picking which days I want to work. I wouldn't make any more than I am now (and might make less, depending on how many days I worked) and there wouldn't be any benefits though.

Jason also talked to a friend of his who works in the school system and they told me to look into something where I can work as a para and then do some schooling but I would be able to skip some of the school because of work experience. Not sure the details on that though (but I'm not opposed to something that would allow me to shorten my schooling! LOL!).

[samy23]

You said you don't like school, can I ask if you mean the actual studying or is it the school environment, being in a class etc? If it's the latter, could you find classes online or do a correspondance course instead maybe?

[StephandOwen]

Originally Posted by samy23

You said you don't like school, can I ask if you mean the actual studying or is it the school environment, being in a class etc? If it's the latter, could you find classes online or do a correspondance course instead maybe?

It's more the studying. I just am so freaking exhausted all the time and can never find time to study. DP is wonderful about getting ds out of the house (or keeping ds home while I leave) so I can study but it's just so.... boring. My mind starts wandering and pretty soon I'm not getting any work done (like right now- I have 2 finals tomorrow I should be studying for by I'm here... playing on the computer). When I'm actually AT school I don't mind it. I like my school, I like most of the teachers I've had. I actually do GO to class (unless there's something crazy happening like when ds was admitted to the hospital I did skip classes). But I do okay in school, it's not like I'm struggling to pass. I'm an A/B student (though there's one class I have a final in tomorrow that I'm right on the edge of a C.... kinda nervous about that one). I just wish I could fast forward and be through school and into a job I love

I will be taking 3 online classes this summer though so I can get some classes done and not have to worry about childcare for ds.

Ally- I did some digging tonight and found the insurance coverage info for employees at the school district I would teach at. It actually isn't too bad. It does cover $500/month in "autism related services" BUT it also covers 30 PT/speech/OT sessions EACH per year (90% of each visit covered). That's a heck of a lot better than Jason's plan (which covered 30 therapy visits total per year with a crazy amount out of pocket and NOTHING if the diagnosis "autism" was in the file). So we did the math and for a plan for Owen and I... taking what I would make as a para... taking out the $ for the insurance.... taking out taxes.... I would still be making more as a full time para (getting all school holidays off) than I am now. Not a whole lot more, but a little more with the benefit of me actually having insurance (I currently don't have anything) and me having all the time off with Owen. Unfortunately I am still a few credit hours shy of what I need to be qualified. However, someone who works with the school district told me to apply anyway because they might overlook it if they know I'm enrolled in school still. Only problem with getting that full time job is how to fit school into that (while making sure someone can care for Owen while I'm in school). So.... still brainstorming

[samy23]

Originally Posted by StephandOwen

It's more the studying. I just am so freaking exhausted all the time and can never find time to study. DP is wonderful about getting ds out of the house (or keeping ds home while I leave) so I can study but it's just so.... boring. My mind starts wandering and pretty soon I'm not getting any work done (like right now- I have 2 finals tomorrow I should be studying for by I'm here... playing on the computer).

Me too! haha...even though I find what im studying very interesting, I find it hard to concentrate on it for very long. So I kinda do an hour here, an hour there sorta thing yk? Plus the most practical time to do it is when dd is in bed sleeping, but by the evening time im tired too which means even less concentration for it than during the daytime! Then during the day there's housechores to get done and work, even if there wasn't im sure my mind would wander too and find something else to do.... It comes down to self discipline I guess.

[KatWrangler]

Steph,

So you want to teach? I know you are in KY but I am not sure what city. Is there a children's hospital near you? Because Hospitals hire teachers to teach kids that are in for extended periods of time.

[Ianthe]

If it were me, I would do the paraeducator program to start with, get a PART TIME job as a para-ed, while working towards getting a teaching degree. That way, once you get the teaching degree/job you would have the good insurance for your son. Also, if you could get a full time job that has good benefits then go for that too!

[StephandOwen]

Originally Posted by KatWrangler

Steph,

So you want to teach? I know you are in KY but I am not sure what city. Is there a children's hospital near you? Because Hospitals hire teachers to teach kids that are in for extended periods of time.

Yes, I live in Lexington (and we do have a children's hospital at UK, as well as a Shriner's hospital). I never thought to look into teaching at those! Thanks for that idea!

So my plan right now is to continue the degree I started. I have an application I almost have completed to become a substitute teacher/para but I don't know if it will go through. The deadline was in March, but someone I know who works in the school system said to fill it out and submit it anyway because in the fall they typically have a big rush where they realize they didn't hire enough. So I'm hoping that happens! After the fall semester I will have enough credit hours to be a para anyway (it's either get the para certificate or do 48 credit hours in any degree, preferably one in the children/education area).

So I don't know what I'm going to do about work in the fall. I have a couple more weeks of work where I am. Basically my boss told me to continue taking the classes I was supposed to take this summer (for work- we have to do continuing ed classes every year) that way if I want to come back in the fall she will try to find a spot for me. So if I don't have a sub teaching job in the fall I may end up back at the daycare. We'll see.

[KatWrangler]

Good! I saw a posting here in St. Louis within the last week when I was looking for a hospital job for my husband.

Don't forget Child Life Specialist. That may be a spin off of teaching you might like.

Good luck!

[AndVeeGeeMakes3]

Not much advice from me, but I'm in a really similar situation. I'm choosing to keep going to school, and I really don't want to. Just wanted to give you a hug. It's really really hard, I know.