Originally posted by Urchin
Now I'm doing substitute teaching, and I only work about 2 days a week.
Have you thought about teaching full time? What is your education background? Have you looked into what it would take to get an education degree and/or certification? Teaching can be very rewarding. If you like being a sub, you will love teaching full time. If you have a degree, you could be only one year away certification.
Urchin,
Dont knock meds. A lot of folks have a chemical imbalance that can be fixed with the right drug. I know many folks who take meds and finally enjoy life. Ive also met many who have had bad experiences with meds. It could be the right thing, or the wrong thing for you. Counseling could be the answer as well.
Can you ask your parents for money to go see a doctor? I know it may seem weird, but they most likely would be eager to help once they know what state of mind your in.
When I was 24, I thought my life sucked too. I was also depressed and thought very much of my self as you do about yourself. I never could have imagined that six years later I would meet my soul-mate. Now we have a perfect marriage and 2 beautiful daughters. We are as poor as it rocks because Im a teacher, but life really is good. Life can change for the better in a day.
As a teacher, I know Im making a contribution to society, which is important to me. And as you have also found out, working with kids is a blast.
Ill be honest with you, teaching sucks in a lot of ways. The hours are very long, the pay is terrible, administrators and lawmakers can make the job nearly impossible. But, the big benefit is that you get to work with kids everyday. (He he, speaking of ironic, I get to play substitute tomorrow too. I just now got a call from my principal asking if I would fill in for one of the 3rd grade teachers who called in sick. Im the computer teacher at a K-8 school.)
If you are thinking about education, try out all grades and classes while you can as a sub.
P.S. As a sub; work hard, do all you can to help out, dress professionally, have (or fake) a good attitude, talk to teachers, etc. and you will soon have more job offers than you can handle. In most districts throughout the country there is a huge substitute shortage (which is why Im teaching 3rd grade tomorrow, no subs to be found, all because sub pay sucks, as if you didnt know!) It takes a bit time to get yourself known, but very often it leads to a full time job. I got my first full time job teaching first grade at a school that I often subbed at. Its a great way to get your foot in the door and figure out what you want to do.
Anyway Urchin, you are NOT a looser, your just young and trying to find your place in life. For many of us it takes time. Please find a way to go see a doctor. A lot of people do care about you, whether or not you realize it. You are respected among our AH community, and we want to see you happy with your life.
eskimo
