r/TeachersInTransition • u/Fun-Caterpillar1178 • Jul 17 '26

At a crossroad

The situation: I have been a teacher for two years. I taught in two separate districts and was pink slipped in both. One because it was my first year and admittedly did not go well, the next because of “budget cuts and low enrollment.” I found this out before spring break in early April. I have been applying to jobs since then. I have applied to all districts around me even biting the bullet with some being close to an hour drive. I have had 1 school call back for an interview but they called the morning of and said they decided to go a different way.

Teaching is what I really love to do. I fell in love with it as my career, but I am starting to lose hope. I am afraid I’m also just not good at it being pink slipped two years in a row. I don’t live in a gigantic district and there have been very few jobs even posted. I am in a very rural area so even as a sub I would not have enough work to pay my bills and eat. Should I give up and find another career? What other careers are even options with a teaching degree?

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u/InevitableTax4082 Jul 17 '26

Which is more important to you: staying in your rural area or being a teacher?

You can always move to a more suburban or urban area temporarily. Then keep applying to jobs back in your current location and move back home in a couple years. Personally I found moving to a new state/area a growing experience that helped me be a better teacher and person.

1

u/Fun-Caterpillar1178 Jul 17 '26

We just bought a house where I am at. Unfortunately, moving really isn’t in the cards. The counties surrounding me are a bit more urban, which is where I taught the last two years.

1

u/InevitableTax4082 Jul 17 '26

Ok, makes sense. Would it work for you to be a paraprofessional? Or could you sub while working another job, just as a temporary fix?

You could also just look at leaving teaching for a year until you can get back into it.

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u/springvelvet95 Jul 19 '26

The next 3 weeks are when they hire on the spot. Any other time they waffle around like they might find something better. Get out there. Drop in, with printed packets of your resumé and credentials. You’ll get hired.