Re: grad school and the pole
I'll be done my MBA in the spring, and my advice is- masters is actually a lot easier than undergrad, because they don't saddle you up so much with busy work or treat you like cattle, so you should be ok. i took between 1 and 3 classes/ semester also.
Re: grad school and the pole
Re: grad school and the pole
I'm in grad school!~
For me, grad school is a joke. I do no work, and have all A's. And I'm at a pretty well known school (I take 4 classes a semester).
And my best advice is, fill out your FAFSA as soon as possible. I did, and now I have completely free college (no loans, all grants. It covers tuition, housing, books, extra expenses, etc)
Re: grad school and the pole
I don't know how I managed to post this in body business. I hadn't had my coffee yet! Sorry mods...
I filled out my FAFSA, but I'm not sure if I qualify for much aid. I made 42k last year teaching... and even though I will not continue doing that during grad school, I think it might screw me a little.
Re: grad school and the pole
Kandie - can I ask what types of grants you received?? Are you going to a school where you have in-state residency?
Re: grad school and the pole
I had more money it grad school and it was the happiest ive ever been. I worked 20hours a week in my field. Took out loans for extra $$. Had my tuiton waved (look into it!!!) and danced to save up even more $$$.
Grad school is great and easier than under grad. and the more exciting than the grind of the 9-5.
Re: grad school and the pole
Hey TD, what are of English do you want to look in to? You must know that FSU's creative writing program is a top national program, if that's an area in which you're interested.
Re: grad school and the pole
I'm interested in literature - American modern, if I had to choose a concentration...
USF, where I got my undergrad, does not have a very recognized program. In fact, UF seems to be the only Florida university that ranks well. (and by well, it still just barely makes the top 30%)
But, the more I think about it, the more I want to get out of FL. ESPECIALLY if I am going to dance... I don't think I want to do it down here again (especially in Tampa...)
Re: grad school and the pole
I am finished with my MBA. I danced through the entire thing. WHoever said grad school is a joke is right. easy cheesy dude.
Directly afterwards, exspecially if you want to be a professor, I suggest you start your Phd. Although I do not have my Phd, I have talked to a lot of people that say it is about the same as your masters. easy cheesy.
Just remember that where ever you find a school at, you may want to check out clubs as well to make sure there is one close by that you are willing to work at. I dont know if you want that if influence your school decision or not but if that is going to be your main source of income it shoudl play a role.
Incase nobody has told you: I think it is great that you are going back to school. A masters is a big accomplishment. Good Luck.
Also, if you dont mind me asking, what did you not like about teaching high school. I kind of would like to teach Algebra. The industry I am currently in is not going to do it for me and I know I will be switching fields in the nest year to two years. I have only been here a year and dont want to leave to early.
So what about high school is it that wasnt for you?
Re: grad school and the pole
I used dancing to pay for my Masters in Science Education. I made more $ dancing three 5 hour shifts than I did teaching 5 8+ hour days.
I taught 8th grade algebra, ugh gosh never again!
Re: grad school and the pole
Oh, the things I don't like about teaching high school.. where do I begin?!?
1. In Florida, schools are "graded" (A-F) based on their standardized scores for the state-given test. If your school doesn't do well, it gets no funding, the teachers are treated like idiots, and the amount of paper bureaucracy bullshit is unbelievable. My school is a repeat D school, and its because we do not do well on reading comprehension...never mind that 60% of our student body are ESOL and can barely speak friggin English, let alone comprehend reading!!!
2. The hours...suck. I always thought that it would be awesome getting off at 3. BUT, the fact is you never get done working. There is always work to be done. Papers to grade. Lessons to plan. Paperwork to complete. It NEVER ends! My 50 minute planning period is never near enough. And I refuse to take work home... so I am perpetually behind.
3. The pay... is insulting. We are college educated professionals and they pay us shit. This year, we are not even getting our step increases because of statewide budget cuts.
4. Test prep: My school is not a school anymore. We are a test prep institute... all we are allowed to do, it seems, anymore, is test prep. Because, of course, we have to raise our test scores (which won't happen because of our ESOL population), or else we'll all be fired and continue to have NO funding.
5. drama: the teachers are worse than the students! They are mean, insecure, miserable people, generally speaking. Most of them hate teaching and should have gotten out of it years ago... and since they didn't, they are now bitter and miserable. Also, rumors spread like wildfires. My entire school, somehow, found out that I stripped in college. I had students asking me about my "dirty past." With some investigation, I found out that it was one of the young football coaches, who happened to go to the same university as me. He claims that he remembers me from the clubs (which means, btw, that he was a patron. But of course, stripping is so much more immoral than paying a girl to get naked. I had to explain this to my PRINCIPAL!)
which brings me to my next point:
6. the moral standard. I'm sorry, but they do not pay me enough to maintain the ridiculous moral standard that teachers are supposed to be held to. IMO, morals are subjective. I don't think that prostitution or stripping is immoral. But, if I am seen out drinking... and I work in a small town, so word is out immediately... the backlash is unreal. ("you wouldn't believe it! I saw Ms. B out doing shots or whiskey and dancing on table tops last night!" - when in reality, i was out drinking a martini.)
7. student behavior: is horrible. Teachers spend more time dealing with outside behavior problems than anything. Because of "integration," my classes are filled with emotionally handicapped ("EH") and ESE kids. In the same class, I can have gifted students AND borderline mentally retarded students. It is impossible to reach that far and cater to all needs.
8. Most parents don't give a shit about their kids. Seeing that is so depressing.
Now, for what i do like...
I love to teach. Period. I love my subject... I am very good at connecting with my students and finding ways to make ANYthing in English interesting to them. (But as I stated above, I am mandated to do so much test prep that I rarely get to really TEACH).
And I love coaching. I really enjoy working with my track and cross country kids and watching them grow and develop.
But those positive two things do not outweigh the eight negative.
Re: grad school and the pole
I got my MA in 2004. What everyone has said is right on. I enjoyed grad school far more than undergrad. For one thing everyone in my grad classes were serious students. None of them were there because mommy and daddy wanted it. Also, unlike undergrad where you take a variety, grad school you only take classes in your field unless you WANT to take something.
I paid for it through a variety of sources. I did some modeling, some substitute teaching and even tutoring other students. I did take out loans but wish I hadn't done this. Unfortunately I could never get a teaching assistant position since those went to internatinal students first (my grad school has many international students), but many schools offer this. There are various other scholarships available that many don't klnow of (check the school's financial aid office).
I'm actually considering going back to get another masters. The school I attended is also starting to get ph.d's so if they get one in my fields I'll eventually get that too.
Re: grad school and the pole
I'm like totally freaking out tampadancer. I'm so happy for you and all, but my situation is like the reverse of yours.
I already have an MA in Comm and I actually was looking to go back and get an elem teaching certificate. I initally wanted to do broadcasting or journalism, but didn't intern in school. It's so much competition and so few jobs in these areas and I'm degreed, with no work experience. I thought that teaching would be great yada yada. Now, I'm beginning to worry. I could get a PhD and teach college level, but I thought getting another master's with a teaching certification would be easier.
I don't mean to rant. Grad school is great, quick 2-year program, but getting a PhD is twice that, whoever said it's a cakewalk was wrong.
I'm conflicted. I thought teaching would be my way out of dancing. I really love working with kids and am motivated to make a difference in their lives. I dunno if this is the right route now. I just want financial independence already...:O
Re: grad school and the pole
BeBe - don't let my situation dissuade you. Try it. You may love it... and depending on where in the country you are located, you may not face the same challenges. Also, elementary is completely different from high school.
I got a bachelor's in English because I had planned on attending law school. I changed my mind on that, and decided that I wanted to teach post-grad literature, but figured I'd give teaching high school a try first. At the time, I just really needed a break from dancing. The positive thing is that I now will have 3 years of teaching exp under my belt (that includes AP classes), which will help my resume in the long run. But I also know that this just isn't for me.
Another frustrating thing - I'm 26, fit, pretty... so everyone assumes I flirt with or fuck my students. Because a couple of sicko women got the media fired up
because THEY were pedophiles, it's like a witch hunt now.
The fact that I teach in podunkville, USA doesn't help either, I suppose.
The drop in income was extremely tough for me at first, also. I made so much more money using my body than my brain. sigh :)
Re: grad school and the pole
TD, have you thought about just going to another school?
Are you in Hillsborough? Try Pasco schools. The pay probably won't change much but the working conditions will be better. Suburban high schools don't have the ESOL problem as much and the FCAT issue is less since those schools know they'll do at least a B because of the student population.
Re: grad school and the pole
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BeBe
I'm like totally freaking out tampadancer. I'm so happy for you and all, but my situation is like the reverse of yours.
I already have an MA in Comm and I actually was looking to go back and get an elem teaching certificate. I initally wanted to do broadcasting or journalism, but didn't intern in school. It's so much competition and so few jobs in these areas and I'm degreed, with no work experience. I thought that teaching would be great yada yada. Now, I'm beginning to worry. I could get a PhD and teach college level, but I thought getting another master's with a teaching certification would be easier.
This is exactly my story. I have my MA in Comm, and planned to work in the media fields. I got my BA in communications, minor in marketing. I worked in radio and journalism but couldn't get far due to the heavy competition (though I know people in the field, most seem to be losing their jobs). Now I am considering getting my MA in teaching (not sure elementary or secondary), but really want to get my PH.D to teach at colleges (though there is heavy competition in this too).
Re: grad school and the pole
Heya, sorry for the delay.
I go to an in-state school. I received several grants, from the school itself, from my state's program, and from the general federal government.
I worked for a while before going, and I made about what you do.
And yes, my program is a cakewalk. It's a very prestigious program, renowned for its Comm department (which I'm in)...but it's a joke lol.
Re: grad school and the pole
Quote:
Originally Posted by
tampadancer
Oh, the things I don't like about teaching high school.. where do I begin?!?
1. In Florida, schools are "graded" (A-F) based on their standardized scores for the state-given test. If your school doesn't do well, it gets no funding, the teachers are treated like idiots, and the amount of paper bureaucracy bullshit is unbelievable. My school is a repeat D school, and its because we do not do well on reading comprehension...never mind that 60% of our student body are ESOL and can barely speak friggin English, let alone comprehend reading!!!
2. The hours...suck. I always thought that it would be awesome getting off at 3. BUT, the fact is you never get done working. There is always work to be done. Papers to grade. Lessons to plan. Paperwork to complete. It NEVER ends! My 50 minute planning period is never near enough. And I refuse to take work home... so I am perpetually behind.
3. The pay... is insulting. We are college educated professionals and they pay us shit. This year, we are not even getting our step increases because of statewide budget cuts.
4. Test prep: My school is not a school anymore. We are a test prep institute... all we are allowed to do, it seems, anymore, is test prep. Because, of course, we have to raise our test scores (which won't happen because of our ESOL population), or else we'll all be fired and continue to have NO funding.
5. drama: the teachers are worse than the students! They are mean, insecure, miserable people, generally speaking. Most of them hate teaching and should have gotten out of it years ago... and since they didn't, they are now bitter and miserable. Also, rumors spread like wildfires. My entire school, somehow, found out that I stripped in college. I had students asking me about my "dirty past." With some investigation, I found out that it was one of the young football coaches, who happened to go to the same university as me. He claims that he remembers me from the clubs (which means, btw, that he was a patron. But of course, stripping is so much more immoral than paying a girl to get naked. I had to explain this to my PRINCIPAL!)
which brings me to my next point:
6. the moral standard. I'm sorry, but they do not pay me enough to maintain the ridiculous moral standard that teachers are supposed to be held to. IMO, morals are subjective. I don't think that prostitution or stripping is immoral. But, if I am seen out drinking... and I work in a small town, so word is out immediately... the backlash is unreal. ("you wouldn't believe it! I saw Ms. B out doing shots or whiskey and dancing on table tops last night!" - when in reality, i was out drinking a martini.)
7. student behavior: is horrible. Teachers spend more time dealing with outside behavior problems than anything. Because of "integration," my classes are filled with emotionally handicapped ("EH") and ESE kids. In the same class, I can have gifted students AND borderline mentally retarded students. It is impossible to reach that far and cater to all needs.
8. Most parents don't give a shit about their kids. Seeing that is so depressing.
Now, for what i do like...
I love to teach. Period. I love my subject... I am very good at connecting with my students and finding ways to make ANYthing in English interesting to them. (But as I stated above, I am mandated to do so much test prep that I rarely get to really TEACH).
And I love coaching. I really enjoy working with my track and cross country kids and watching them grow and develop.
But those positive two things do not outweigh the eight negative.
Its a damn shame that you have to go through this. I have a friend that is a high school teacher also and she tells me the same stuff.
Re: grad school and the pole
TD, I am totally with you.
I am student teaching now and already am wondering if teaching is really for me. The hours do suck, the work never stops, parents are constantly on top of you for grades, and you rarely teach cause its all test prep. It's not what I thought it would be. I am going to tough it out and finish my degree, but I think I will go get a MA in something before teaching high school or middle school.
I also want to teach at the college level, it's just a Ph D is soooo much work and time, and really you need it to teach college as a career. I really hope you work it out. Maybe a change of schools will work , who knows? :) best of luck!
Re: grad school and the pole
Mr Hyde - I am actually teaching in osceola, which is one of the best in the state in terms of pay and support. The issues I'm frustrated are ones that I will face in any county, and likely in most states.
Kandie - thanks for the info. I'm just going to have to see where I'm accepted and take it from there. This can be so exciting and nerve racking at once
Papillonluvr: You may really love teaching - a lot of people do... and for them, it is worth the bull. Don't let me discourage you from at least giving it a try. I mean, worse case, you don't like it, and you find something else :) My plan is to also complete a PhD - which is a little scary because the competition is insane for tenure-track positions. But you know what? We live once. I think that if you have a dream, you have to take a chance on it.
Re: grad school and the pole
Thank you tampadancer and kellydancer. I'll continue on as planned. It's just with the ecomony in such turmoil I'd hate to get even further in debt only to realize that I've made the wrong career choice again. I dunno. If I could get a broadcasting gig tomorrow I'd take it in a heartbeat, but it just seems so fleating and teaching seems more tangible. I want job security, plain and simple. I don't mind teaching. I love kids. So, this seems like a no-brainer. Only time will tell how I fare with the kiddies...
Good luck with you both. I'll check back.
Re: grad school and the pole
I danced on and off when in grad school. I got a salary and full tuition waivers for teaching while taking classes and loved it, most of the time. Teaching at the college level rocks, IMHO. The behavioral problems are much less than one would find in HS. I danced during school breaks and/or when I needed the extra cash. I'm doing my doctorate now at another school, but there are no clubs in the area, so I dance only rarely. Anyhow, find a program where they compensate you VERY well for being there. I know a couple with good English programs in the northeast if you're interested. Good luck with everything!