Am I making a mistake by continuing to sub until a full time position opens up?
So two years ago now I graduated with my bachelor’s in elementary education. The moment i graduated I knew I wanted to go back home and teach.
I come from a small town. Were so small that out school is K-12 in one building and about 200 kids in all.
When I went to college and started observing and teaching in bugger schools I started to realize what made my home school do amazing. It’s hard to explain to people who haven’t live in a small community, but all the kids are good kids and they all get the education they deserve. Also the highschool comes down all the time to help in the elementary and the elementary can go in and see high school activities. I honestly couldn’t explain every reason why I love this school way more than any of the other schools I’ve seen and observed at.
The thing is, since it’s so small job opportunities are not as common. For the last two years I’ve been substituting and I feel like working my up into a full time position.
My first year i just took whatever job they handed me. This year they gave me all the ling term sub positions. I was head of the special ed department while she wanted in maternity leave for 8 weeks and I got to be the art teacher for 12 weeks while she also went on maternity leave. I also took over running the concession stand this year which i get paid $20 an hour to do and honestly thoroughly enjoy.
Ive even talked to the principal about full time positions and he basically told me that the next one that opens is mine.
The last two years i haven’t made bank, but I’ve been happy and I’ve built rapport with all 200 students in that school.
Whats making me question my decision is what other people are telling me. My family and people I’ve talked to keep telling me that I’m waisting my degree. That there are plenty of job openings around the state, and that I need to take one of those job. Literally everyone I’ve talked to has asked me why i don’t go and teach in the next town over (which has a terrible school btw theres a reason why there are so many job opportunities there). Everyone also has this look of pitty in their eyes when i tell them that Im just waiting for a position to open. Like i can see that they think I’m making a mistake. When family asked how it going they visibly roll their eyes when I tell them nothings opened yet.
I keep telling myself that if I’m happy thats all that matters. The thing is when so many people tell you you’re making a mistake, you can only ignore it for so long.
So I guess that I want pose this question to people on the internet in this profession. Am I making a mistake? Have I been waisting my degree?