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View Full Version : Do I? Dont I? Advice, PLZ!



cpbaby
09-20-2008, 07:59 AM
I work in a public safety uniform business. I am over the embroidery department. I have been with the company for almost 6 years and, as people, love my co-workers and the boss and owner(husband and wife).



The job is extremely "feast or famine". In June or July, the various police, fire, EMS, sheriff, and so forth departments start their fiscal year. This means that all uniforms orders are made then to outfit the department. Usually, we are given a 30 day window to deliver their orders from the day the order is placed. This includes ordering what items are not in stock, altering them, adding patches, zippers, what have you, and the embroidery. Some departments have a 3 word logo added which takes minutes but some have a 20 minute logo on the left chest, a name and title on the right chest, department initials on the collars and something else on the sleeves.....Those take awhile. Whatever, however, from September 1 till February 1 is fast and furious with more OT than a person should have to work....last year I worked 12 hours a day, 6 days a week and often came in for a few hours on Sunday mornings. VERY stressful! Add in the hour one way drive and it makes for a LONG day. Then, in the spring, there is not much going on, but I do get my 40 hours. In addition to my regular job, I am also sorta, kinda the network admin and the website person, PLUS the Ebay sales I do with our clearance merchandise. I have not had a raise in over 2 years. Every time it is mentioned, he doesnt have the cash flow for a raise "right now". I have been looking, sort of, for a job....in case something perfect fell into my lap....



Last night I took my 4 yr old and went to the Fall Festival with my sister and her two children. While there, I saw lots of people I knew from years back and talked to a lady I have known since forever. She was a teacher, then retired, and now substitutes at the local Job Corp campus. She told me that I needed to come there and teach. Said that there was a position open for a GED Math teacher and, basically, all I needed was an Associate Degree(I have an AS and a BA). It pays almost half again as much as I make now, straight 40 hours a week, with benefits and would be a bit closer to home. Not alot, but 15 minutes or so. She named off several of the teachers there now and I have known them for years. She told me that if I would come apply, she could just almost guarantee my being offered the job. The only thing is, it is THE JOB CORP(definite stigma attached to that around here) and I am not sure I am cut out to be a math teacher. But the pay, benefits and hours sound lovely.



So, how do I decide what to do? How do I figure out if I want to teach math? How DO I teach math?



Advice welcome!

buglebe
09-20-2008, 08:10 AM
Oh, you want to teach math. If you can do what you are doing now, you are going to love teaching math. My best friend from elementary school up to now taught math. She is retired now and she loved it. I don't know about the job corp thing so I don't know how bad that would play into it. For more money, less hours and closer to home how could you not want to do it. It sounds like you are being used where you are now and they will have to hire 2 people to do all that you are doing. Go for it.
I think it may just be the thought of change that is holding you back and that can hold everyone back. If you give notice, maybe you could be hired back if needed but I think you will love teaching.

JerseyMook
09-20-2008, 08:17 AM
Explain why the Job Corps thingie is a bad connotation in your area?

I thnk it sounds like a great move personally

DBackFan
09-20-2008, 08:43 AM
Explain why the Job Corps thingie is a bad connotation in your area?

I can even answer that one for you. Even though it is a good government run program The Job Corps is and always will be known as "the bad kids", the "kids who had no other options" etc etc. I had 2 Sons go to Job Corp and it is rough! We have a Job Corp right here in Moses Lake and it has the same stigma she is referring to. Personally I wouldn't mind working there but MATH would be a tough one for me....lol

Good luck cpbaby in whatever you decide.

BeanieLuvR
09-20-2008, 08:56 AM
cpbaby, I think you can do anything that you set your mind to doing and that includes teaching math. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

cpbaby
09-20-2008, 08:58 AM
I can even answer that one for you. Even though it is a good government run program The Job Corps is and always will be known as "the bad kids", the "kids who had no other options" etc etc. I had 2 Sons go to Job Corp and it is rough! We have a Job Corp right here in Moses Lake and it has the same stigma she is referring to. Personally I wouldn't mind working there but MATH would be a tough one for me....lol

Good luck cpbaby in whatever you decide.



Yeah, here they are known as "those hoodlums" or "those gang kids". When I was a teenager, I could go anywhere I wanted to EXCEPT the road that goes by the job corp center. (In case they were making a break for it, I guess....)


I mean, it is "GED math" and I pulled solid B's in my college math classes, but still, how do I "teach" it? I have just never done anything like this before and the "unknown factor" scares me a bit.

MizzouLady
09-20-2008, 10:38 AM
Even if it is "Job Corps" you need to remember that in order for the "bad kids" or "hoodlums" to get ahead they need to get a high school diploma or GED. My step-son went to Job Corp at age 19, didn't have a high school diploma because of a learning disability. The teachers he had when he went to school didn't have the patience or training to help him learn. He got his diploma and learned how to do welding. They also help him get his driver's license.

If you approach this job correctly, you may make a difference in someone's life and help them to become a good, productive member of society. Of course, you need to do what is right for you. Best of luck in making your decision.

tngirl
09-20-2008, 11:41 AM
There are books and of course the internet where you can learn great teaching methods. You have to remember, most of the kids that go to the job corps are at least trying to do something better for themselves even though they are mainly the "hoodlums" of the world. Just imagine the influence that you could have on these kids.

I think you would make a great teacher. Just remember the things that helped you catch onto math and pass that along to your students. It always helps them to know that it isn't an easy thing for everyone and that they are NOT dumb because they may have problems grasping the concept.

Anig2u
09-20-2008, 11:56 AM
I think it would be a good move for you. Less travel, less hours, less stress, more money, benefits, and you will be working with people you have known for years. It looks like something perfect fell inot your lap afterall. I think the fact that your present employer hasn't given you a raise in over two years shows they don't value you as a worker like they should. You could always give it a try and see how it goes, I can bet you could get your other job back if you needed to because you have the experience and they know you are willing to work without a raise.

belle5691
09-20-2008, 03:20 PM
I think you would be great at being a teacher as I said in the other thread...You have a great sense of humor, have raised teenagers of your own, all that stuff. Plus with Sophie being the age she is now, it would be so nice for you to not have to miss the extra time with her that set hours would give you. I made a mistake and went back to work at a job with crazy hours right now, and regret missing out on so much stuff. Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best in the world!:star: