This Job???

I say take the new job at the middle school. The higher pay & benefits..and tuition assistance are definitely good reasons. My sister is the director of a daycare. She's been doing it for a few years & is totally worn out. Many daycare workers get burnt out, or do it as a transitional job...at least in my sister's experience. My personal opinion is that a job as a teacher's aid in a middle school would look much, much better on a resume than working at a daycare. Congrats on the offer!

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As you said... I guess I know the answer. Don't second guess yourself, you know the answer.

An hourly rate means very little. You need to take a look at the entire package, hourly rate, paid time off, health insurance benefits, retirement benefits, tuition reimbursement, and possibilities for advancement.

Good luck.

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There's really no question -take the job in the age group you want to teach that pays more and gives benefits! You evidently have to pay for childcare anyway (and I'm sorry -not at least giving you a break on childcare is pretty crappy on behalf of your current employer).

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A., thank you for the additional info, though I would like to have known more about an ISD school versus a public school.

Luci's mom has a point when it comes to out of pocket costs for your benefits. BUT, the only way to get benefits is to pony up some money for them. When it comes to your retirement, you need to start out having a retirement benefit when you are younger. I don't know how old you are, but you sound young, and if you want something to live off of other than social security, you NEED to have a retirement plan. If the ISD school is part of the public school system, you will be working for the government which takes better care of its retired employees than most small businesses. My mom was a school teacher and a teacher's aid, and because of her school system retirement, lives comfortably today at age 77.

Thinking about your older years is essential. But also you need to think about your health. If you were to fall and break something or have something like appendicitis, or anything else that would necessitate a trip to the ER and time in the hospital, you won't BELIEVE how much your hospital bill will cost. Hospitals have "arrangements" with insurance companies, managing the costs, but not with the uninsured. You need health insurance, plain and simple. You've been lucky so far not to KNOW that in the worst way yet.

So that's 2 important things to think about. Now about the job itself. Ask yourself - are you the glass half full or the glass half empty type of person? If you are the glass half empty person, you may walk into the middle school and not know what hit you with the difference in ages and attitudes. Will you a week into it throw your hands up and say to yourself, "This is too hard!" Another question - will you be willing to take second place to your lead teacher, or A., do you always want someone to be in charge of you?

About the idea of being "the glass is half full person", will you see the differences as "Wow - this is a difference I want to figure out! What makes these kids tick? How can I reach them and learn to be the best teacher or teacher's aid that I can be?" Will you be a lead, follow, or get out of the way person for your teachers? Will you look at the end of the day as a way to escape school, or "I can't wait to tell me husband, mother, friends, about my day!"

If you are willing to do the WORK required to get ahead, have yourself in a real career with large scale benefits, accrue sick days, have summers off, help with your childcare and schooling, and are not the kind of person who gives up easily when frustrated, then this new job is for you. If you end up deciding not to go to school, but stay in a comfortable aid's position, by that time your pay would have gone up and maybe the benefits wouldn't eat into your paycheck as much, compared to your old salary. And you would have benefits and accrue senority as well.

I believe that you must be "worth your salt" for this school to be courting you. I hope YOU believe in yourself and have the personality for making the switch. Only YOU know your personality and what kind of attitude you have towards a different or harder workplace. Good luck making the decision. It's not just about right now, you see, A.. Like the issues of retirement and health care, this decision is for your long term future.

All my best,
D.

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Well, it kind of sounds like a no-brainer. It also sounds like you already know what you want to do. You do not owe your current job any allegiance. Your true allegiance is to your family. Which situation is better for your family? Anything else just doesn't matter.

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Sounds to me like you've already made your decision, but just need a bit of encouragement. =o)
Please don't hold yourself back just because you are comfortable there. Change is hard for everyone, but it's so worth it! The benefits (financial & professional) will be so worthwhile to move on. You should reread your own post... It's working with the age group you prefer, they will work with your schedule and allow more hours, help with financial costs of getting your teaching degree, have a job available for you once you graduate, plus the financial benefits... You deserve all that good stuff!! All it takes is a leap of faith. Who knows... you may enjoy this new job just as much or even more than your current day care job.
Go for it, girl! Best of luck!!

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It's a no-brainer. Take the job that is in your desired field of work. In this economy, competition for jobs, even in public schools are slim. Will you now be able to apply time here toward tenure, or be able to parlay it into a full-time teaching position? If so, waste no more time at the other job, unless you plan on running a daycare someday.

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You said it yourself, you know the answer. You have only listed upsides for the new job, no downside. Better pay, benfits, help with school, working in your chosen age group, all great reasons to take the job. I think you have to step outside your comfort level and go for it. Good luck! You sound like a positive person, and you'll succeed in the new job as well.

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This is tough but only you can answer it. I will tell you this. I was offered a job at $25 per hour! More than I thought I could ever earn at the time, but it didn't not feel right. I was offered a job for $15 an hour and it felt right. I took the lower paying job because I could still make it, and I am not sorry.

Go with your gut, but take the one you really feel is right with NO FEAR.

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Go with the school district job. Change might be intimidating but it sounds like you'll have more opportunities.

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It sounds like you know your answer already. You put a lot of positive in the other job. Will the other job still allow you to work your school schedule?

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I am going to be the dissenting voice. It sounds like a no-brainer, but I think you have to consider two things: 1) Will you be able to continue on your educational path? 2) What is your out of pocket expense for your share of the benefits?

I don't know how it works in the school districts, but in my company, my share of the cheapest insurance plan for my daughter and I is $1700/year--that is five weeks of pay before taxes at $8.50/hour. Add to that co-pays and deductible and I can be out of pocket another $1000/year.

If you qualify for some sort of state assistance (medical and otherwise), you are probably better off where you are...at least for now.

My company has a great 401k match, but I struggle to pay everything on my own and contribute. I have to put something to get something. Same with insurance.

The sacrifice you make now may just be an investment in your future, but you should consider the immediate impact on your cash flow. 8.50 is less than $1000 a year once you take taxes into account. You could end up with less than you have now.

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If you are going to school right now, your current boss already knew he/she would not have you working there forever. You should not feel guilty about this decision.

And you should take the job not just because it is an increase in salary and benefits but because it gives you valuable experience. In my line of work, we will usually give the college graduates who have relevant summer job experience an edge on those who did not especially when comparing other criteria such as gpa. Experience speaks for itself.

However, if I were you, I would make sure I turned in at least a 2 week notice to give your current place of employment time to find your replacement. And I would certainly make sure the boss knew how much you appreciated the opportunity to work there. In other words, leave on a good note.

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Girl....go with the ISD middle school job! Benefits, works with your hours, more money, more hours, kids in the age group you want to teach, supportive of getting your career as a teacher.....enough said! =) Good Luck!!!

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Go for the benefits and pay raise!!!! Plus it's in an age group YOU WANT to work in. Go for it! You can always make more friends.

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How do you not know what to do? There is NO reason to stay in your current job. Take the new job!

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Which one will let you go to a higher bracket in the future? Is there a future at the daycare? are there more option at the new place? More room for growth? Will they help pay part or all of your schooling?

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Having benifits is a key, would you have enough money if you or your child had to go to the hospital or er. room. Will the school work around your school hours, do they have someone who can watch your child all these will weigh in on your answer. Good luck.

Go with the new job. Benifits are important and so is an increase in money.

TAKE THE ISD JOB and don't look back.

its a perfect time to take the next step in life. yeah it will feel like "the first day of school" with butterflys and all. but you have a chance to better your lives take it! give fair warning to your current job. congradualtions!

yep, go for it... you are lucky.
Lots of people without jobs now... or with jobs they hate.

You should always challenge yourself. I think since your so comfortable at your current job that is the only thing keeping you there. Pro's- you would be getting set up for a better career in the future. You would be making more money, you would be teaching the age you want to, need I go on. I think you just need to say yes, and don't burn bridges, just explain the situation to your current job. Maybe you could even volunteer or still help out there so they know you appreciate what they have done for you. Good luck!
N.

Congratulations! It sounds like things are working out well for you! Each job has its positives and negatives. If you take the new job, which we all agree with you that you should, just remind yourself that you CAN handle whatever negatives come your way. There are people there that will help you with the hard things and then you will be more prepared for your eventual teaching job. This sounds like the perfect stepping stone to your eventual job - getting to learn the good and bad, the easy and hard, while not having to be solely responsible for the kids yet. Enjoy the opportunity to be mentored. The more you compliment the teachers that you are aiding for and offer to go the extra mile for, the more help they will be to you.

Stand up straight, pull your shoulders back, put a smile on your face and look in the mirror and tell yourself that you will be awesome!

Oh, and remember that hurt kids hurt kids. When you see a kid that is being mean or difficult, it is because they are hurting inside. Be sure to start with, "Are you having a bad day?" instead of doling out the discipline right away. There are a lot of hurting middle school kids these days. They need someone like you to care about them each day.

Like everyone else has said, yes take the job! It sounds like it will not only be beneficial now, but will get you further in your future career. Good luck and don't feel bad for leaving your current job, you are headed in a better direction.

Well it does sound like you know what you should do:) Go for the job with benefits and a higher wage. Take care!!

The job as a teacher's aid gets your foot in the door with the school district. :-)

I think you should take the position. Here's why, it is a .50 per hour raise, benefits, it is the job you want, they are flexible with hours and you have to pay full price daycare anyway. It is scary but take the leap! I am sure if you give notice, they would be happy to have you back at the daycare. It sounds like an opportunity you should not pass up. Never let fear paralyze you into inaction. Good Luck.

It can be very scary to do something outside of your comfort zone. But usually, there are great opportunities out there, once you take the step.

I will give you the same advice that I gave my daughter with very similiar circumstances. TAKE the new job. If it will offer you more with a schedule that works for your family you will probably regret not taking it. You say they will help you with returning to school to improve your options for improving your job. It seems like it is a no brainer. Good luck with your new job. I think deep down inside you know what you should do.

L.

Take the new job!!!!!!!!

Staying in one place because of comfort will only continue to hold you back. I know, I've done home daycare and my neice was working at a facility daycare like you and it held her back.

The new job will take you further with even more opportunities in the future. Go for it and I bet you will enjoy the new job even more than your current one. Good luck with it and I wish you happiness and success.