What? Seven dollars and eighty cents?
With a knot in my stomach, I accepted the position.
Three hours later I called back to ask if that $7.80 might include any benefits. Nope. None.
I apologized profusely for the change of heart and told her I could not take the job.
I mean, I just paid thousands and thousands of dollars to become a professional. An educated individual who does not have to work for minimum wage...or even for only fifty cents above it for that matter. I just thought having that diploma in my hand would, and should, qualify me for at least a little more. I mean, I would have to turn in lesson plans on a weekly basis. I would have to attend many after-hours trainings and conferences. While I still feel terrible for not taking the job (because I REALLY wanted it), I almost feel kind of proud for not selling myself so short...literally.
The other job also wanted me to come back for a second interview...but after thinking it over more, I just cannot pass up living for free right now. So, I called the director of that center back (who wanted to pay me $11.00 an hour) and told her I would not be relocating at this time.
So, unfortunately, I am back to square one. I have accepted multiple substitute teaching opportunities for the month of February...even though subbing is my last resort. For now, I will have to just suck it up and go through with it and see if it is really as terrifying as I am imagining.
Let's hope not.
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3 comments:
Let's be honest,you chose to be a teacher not a doctor. I know you are expecting more but it is your first job. With the economy the way it is, it's hard to believe you're being so picky. If you're expecting big money, especially given the current economical changes, you many want to go back to school and get a better degree.
I commend you for being a teacher but you're never going to make a lot of money doing it. Good luck with your search!
Dear Anonymous-
Thanks for the input. I am very aware that I chose to become a teacher...it is my passion...and I went into it knowing I would not make a lot of money, ever.
However- I was hoping for at least a respectable pay. If I had taken the job mentioned in my post, I would be making less than $14,OOO a year.
I could work at Wal-Mart and make more.
In Ohio, average starting teacher salaries are around $30,000...really anything even remotely close to that would be fine with me. I would have even accepted $9/hr. I just didn't work so hard in college for a minimum wage job.
Perhaps now you could understand my hesitance in taking such a position.
I appreciate your input and thanks for the well wishes.
Oh, and P.S.- In my eyes, there is no "better degree"
I found it hard to accept my first position teaching Preschool - I made much less each year than I paid each year to get my degree. I had so little money at the beginning, but the jobs have gotten better every year. My advice would be to take the job the fits you best - not the one with the best money. No one wants to work with uninspiring teachers or with bad supplies in bad conditions. Good luck!!!
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