Guys I think I may be done teaching, I don't enjoy it and life has given me some changes I am trying to adjust to. (Good ones!! but nonetheless). I am a CTE Teacher so dealing with heavy equipment, welders etc. is my realm. I make a good amount of money and the job market i am seeing is terrible. (like 55K to run a tractor dealership) who takes those jobs? that's no money at all. Any advice? I can stick it out if i can't find anything, not like drowning to get out but I am definitely tired of doing this but heres the kicker, I am not taking a paycut. Which is crazy, It has been hard to find a job thats at least equal in pay.

Have you looked into any virtual CTE Teaching positions?

Nah, the money I make is because of what I do outside of the classroom, so a virtual teaching job will give me a paycut.

I knew a guy who taught diesel mechanics. He was hired to take over the maintenance department for a trucking company. Essentially he would hire and train mechanics to service trucks on the road and work in the shops. Surely there's something like that welders. He seemed happier with the new gig.

What do you not like about it?

I never wanted to go into teaching, but got my certification to move up in the natural resource education field.

Eventually, I needed a higher paying job. So, got laid off, and knew I could always have a teaching job. Hated it at first; came to be ok with it, BUT I had a good principal. That is key. Left and came back (MS) and had a bad principal. Left at spring break; never looked back. I work for a university now. You might look into that as well.

Have you ever thought about pursuing positions with equipment or welding machine manufacturers? They have sales positions, but also technical and training positions.

I'm about a year removed from leaving the classroom. It was the best decision I made for my family. I was also coaching football and baseball as well and run into the ground. I spent a considerable amount of time trying to figure out what I wanted to do so when I was ready to apply for a new job, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I would encourage you to do the same. It not only helps you avoid a bad move but also gives folks a specific way to support you. Instead of saying "I want a new job" it will be more like "I want this specific type of job in this area." People can help you better if they know specifically what you are looking for.

zooguy96 said:

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What do you not like about it?

I never wanted to go into teaching, but got my certification to move up in the natural resource education field.

Eventually, I needed a higher paying job. So, got laid off, and knew I could always have a teaching job. Hated it at first; came to be ok with it, BUT I had a good principal. That is key. Left and came back (MS) and had a bad principal. Left at spring break; never looked back. I work for a university now. You might look into that as well.

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The time, I'm an ag teacher, so a 12-14 hour day is pretty normal for me. I just had a kid, I'm exhausted trying to make it all work.

DfwAg11 said:

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I'm about a year removed from leaving the classroom. It was the best decision I made for my family. I was also coaching football and baseball as well and run into the ground. I spent a considerable amount of time trying to figure out what I wanted to do so when I was ready to apply for a new job, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I would encourage you to do the same. It not only helps you avoid a bad move but also gives folks a specific way to support you. Instead of saying "I want a new job" it will be more like "I want this specific type of job in this area." People can help you better if they know specifically what you are looking for.

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Man I love tractors but running a tractor dealership was like 55k, Sales scares me, I think that's where I end up but having a set salary has spoiled me. Welding manufacturing equipment sales is where I think i end up, but not opposed to other areas. But I make alot as a teacher and can't afford to take a paycut.

NoahAg said:

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I you teach welding how about, I don't know, be a welder? Surely that pays more than teaching.

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honestly, unsure if my body can go back to that. I was a mechanic in college at TAMU, my knees and back are shot. Theyre fine for what I do but going back into the field idk if i can hang.

I would suggest following manufacturers like Lincoln & Miller on LinkedIn and get notifications of their job postings. When you see something you are interested in, reach out to the recruiter separately and fill them in on your background. Recruiters are always looking for an edge in finding good, qualified candidates. If you are willing to move, you are golden. Love your user name, by the way. I have a life long love/hate relationship with that county.

Shelton98 said:

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Ihatefallscounty said:

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DfwAg11 said:

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I'm about a year removed from leaving the classroom. It was the best decision I made for my family. I was also coaching football and baseball as well and run into the ground. I spent a considerable amount of time trying to figure out what I wanted to do so when I was ready to apply for a new job, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I would encourage you to do the same. It not only helps you avoid a bad move but also gives folks a specific way to support you. Instead of saying "I want a new job" it will be more like "I want this specific type of job in this area." People can help you better if they know specifically what you are looking for.

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Man I love tractors but running a tractor dealership was like 55k, Sales scares me, I think that's where I end up but having a set salary has spoiled me. Welding manufacturing equipment sales is where I think i end up, but not opposed to other areas. But I make alot as a teacher and can't afford to take a paycut.

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This may be the first time I've ever heard that said.

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Still not enough for the amount of hours i put in. It's truly nuts.

Ihatefallscounty said:

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zooguy96 said:

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What do you not like about it?

I never wanted to go into teaching, but got my certification to move up in the natural resource education field.

Eventually, I needed a higher paying job. So, got laid off, and knew I could always have a teaching job. Hated it at first; came to be ok with it, BUT I had a good principal. That is key. Left and came back (MS) and had a bad principal. Left at spring break; never looked back. I work for a university now. You might look into that as well.

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The time, I'm an ag teacher, so a 12-14 hour day is pretty normal for me. I just had a kid, I'm exhausted trying to make it all work.

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Have you spoken with other teachers about how they manage their schedule, etc? I usually went in at 6:15-6:30, and did anything I needed to do before school. Never stayed after school or took stuff home. Helped that I lived 8 minutes from the school.

If you were able to change the way you did things and spent less time … would that change anything?

I'll say the reasons I will never go back are:

- state testing (it's stupid and doesn't measure actual intelligence IMHO, since a lot of teachers teach to the test).
- ineffective administration.
- schools not doing what is best for the student
- having to discipline more of the day (ineffective admin) instead of actually being able to teach.

You may want to think of fielding are interested in, and then find Ags who are in those fields, and network with them, ask questions, etc.

Same here

Most of the manufacturing rep jobs are heavier on base salary than on commission. Not quite as scary.

I have family that were welders but eventually became welding inspectors.

They did very well doing that, I believe.

Bird Poo said:

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I have family that were welders but eventually became welding inspectors.

They did very well doing that, I believe.

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I've heard the market is saturated with CWI's, My cousin was one and ended up driving for USPS making better money.

zooguy96 said:

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Ihatefallscounty said:

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zooguy96 said:

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What do you not like about it?

I never wanted to go into teaching, but got my certification to move up in the natural resource education field.

Eventually, I needed a higher paying job. So, got laid off, and knew I could always have a teaching job. Hated it at first; came to be ok with it, BUT I had a good principal. That is key. Left and came back (MS) and had a bad principal. Left at spring break; never looked back. I work for a university now. You might look into that as well.

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The time, I'm an ag teacher, so a 12-14 hour day is pretty normal for me. I just had a kid, I'm exhausted trying to make it all work.

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Have you spoken with other teachers about how they manage their schedule, etc? I usually went in at 6:15-6:30, and did anything I needed to do before school. Never stayed after school or took stuff home. Helped that I lived 8 minutes from the school.

If you were able to change the way you did things and spent less time … would that change anything?

I'll say the reasons I will never go back are:

- state testing (it's stupid and doesn't measure actual intelligence IMHO, since a lot of teachers teach to the test).
- ineffective administration.
- schools not doing what is best for the student
- having to discipline more of the day (ineffective admin) instead of actually being able to teach.

You may want to think of fielding are interested in, and then find Ags who are in those fields, and network with them, ask questions, etc.

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Problem is, I don't take anything home, but practice is 1 hour after school. Then barn checks. on top of that we also have meetings that start at 6 and contests on the weekends.

SO to do less is to essentially to not do my job. I basically have two jobs, one in the classroom and one outside of the classroom which starts after the last bell.

I don't deal with state testing other than restroom monitor.
I like my admin. He gets a bad rap from the parents and some teachers but hes been extremely supportive and hes black and white. Theres things I don't that he makes us do, but thats every job and at least you know his expectations and where he stands.
Schools not doing what's best for students, man, this goes all the way to the top and also public perception of teachers. Trying to indoctrinate kids? dude i'm just trying to get them to wear deodorant and bring welding clothes.
I teach shop class, these are not your best behaved kids. These kids have been forgotten by the system and have been told all their lives they are not good enough. Some have a chip on their shoulder and deservedly so. That part gets tricky to deal with and find a balance, but i think you go into teaching shop understanding the calamity that it will be.

Have you thought about going into insurance adjusting? Noticed you said you had experience in the auto body industry in another thread.

zooguy96 said:

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Have you thought about going into insurance adjusting? Noticed you said you had experience in the auto body industry in another thread.

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Hadn't thought too much about it but could consider it. Yeah I grew up in the autobody industry. Dad was a body man and body shop manager. Aunts and Uncles are all involved in it somehow, like 6 out of the 8 kids my grandparents had and my grandfather was a bodyman and bodyshop manager.

Would teaching those same type of classes and skills at a junior college or technical college eliminate some of the things you dislike about your current role?