Monday, April 6, 2009

Contemplating a career change, but not sure what direction to go...

It looks like I will be paid anywhere from $1500 - $5000 less next year. It's very painful because clearly I make SO MUCH money already. It is really making me rethink the whole "teacher" thing. I mean, I love my job and I think I am really good at it, but I do have a mortgage and I don't exactly want to work for peanuts. Although, if they are salted, shelled peanuts, I might actually be willing to work for peanuts. Or, if they were those crummy marshmallow peanuts, and rich people wanted to buy them from me for lots of money, I would in fact be willing to work for peanuts. Also, if the only thing left on earth to eat was peanuts, then yes, I may work for peanuts. Or, if I was an elephant.

The truth is even if I wanted to find another job right now, I wouldn't exactly have my choice of sweet nectarines to pick from a nectarine, uh, plant??? What do nectarines grow on anyway? What I am trying to say is that finding a job that I like as much as teaching or that makes more than teaching is pretty much impossible right now. Although, I do have a few ideas:

1. Ronald McDonald - There is this Ronald McDonald guy that comes to our school every year, tells a few jokes, does a couple tricks and then says, "DON'T DO DRUGS!" and calls it a day. My Principal actually told me that I would do an excellent job at this. Yes, I am not sure if this was a compliment, but I am going to go ahead and say... it wasn't! He actually told me that this Ronald McDonald assembly guy makes like 100 grand a year.
Pros: The $100,000/year thing.
Cons: You are Ronald McDonald.
2. Barber - I've been watching a lot of Leave It To Beaver with Lincoln lately, and the thing is, everyone always loves the Barber. Also, Barbers are almost always sarcastic and jaded. But if I were to be a Barber, I would have have my own manly place. No way am I going to "shampoo" anybody.
Pros: Tips and free shaving cream.
Cons: Touching greasy, old man hair daily.
3. Join a posse - Preferably one for that Anoop guy on American Idol. I can't think of a single celebrity that I would be a better posse fit for than Anoop. A posse are those guys that hang out with famous guys famous people, right?
Pros: Hanging out with Anoop.
Cons: Also, hanging out with Anoop.

8 comments:

Esther said...

How can they give you a lower? Which I assume is the opposite of a Raise? That seems impossible and cruel.

Cheeseboy said...

They can and they shall.

The Yospe's said...

are you really thinking of a change?

Cheeseboy said...

Jordan - always looking to better my situation in life. If the right situation presented itself, I would have to consider it - especially given the nature of our beloved legislature and how teachers are treated in Utah.

Green River High School said...

Great... and to know Tyler is going into teaching? Is it too late to coax him into doing something else?!! Maybe the two of you could work up a circus act or something?

Cheeseboy said...

Ha! No, Lyndsay, I am just a bit frustrated right now. I love my job - and I am sure Tyler will be great at it too. He should stay a teacher for sure. AND... when he gets a degree, he definitely needs to come teach with me. That will definitely improve my moral.

Tammy said...

Why are they lowering the pay???? Is that for all teacher or just your school or district? Sorry to hear it Abe because I think you are probably an excellent teacher!!!

Maybe you should focus on the book you wanted to write. That should pay a few bills :)

Cheeseboy said...

Tammy, budget cuts are getting rid of our "professional development" pay. (About $1500 - $2000/ year) There has also been talk about lowering our base pay.

And yes, that is likely for every district in the state. They are all short of cash right now.

I have a friend that works at a Charter School as well. She told me she is expecting $7000 less per year next year.