u/Hot_Dog_112

I'm a former teacher who had nothing but behavioral classes. I'm now subbing and i got to say- some of these teachers.. they need to fix some of their structure.

1. Regulation techniques/tools. Have mandala drawings avaliable and ready to go. Fix your lighting situation so the kids aren't being overstimulated. Stop allowing your kid to get up and take walks around the class (especially if they're using pencil crayons, sharpening pencils, throwing garbage out, wanting to refill water bottles, getting tissues etc). Have everything they need at their desk.
2. Get rid of the loud, distracting, impractical items such as: electric sharpeners. Have backup activities for problematic students. Have a book readily avaliable that the kids actually like and are invested in. Not something so heavily fantasy, that if you miss a detail, the read a loud is done.
3. Stop the traffic and/or clarify the traffic. Don't tell me, 'no one can leave the room except breaks' and then I find out there is a book buddies, hallway helper, counselling session, admin session, peer lunch helper, homeworker helper, band, gym meet, student leadership, rowing club, music club, club-club, etc. It's frustrating, confusing, disorienting and annoying- especially when you find out the kids ARE telling the truth.
4. The assistants, as amazing and in need they are- please lower your voice. You don't need to have a regular volume conversation with a kid while I'm trying to instruct or we are really doing any activity requiring heavy focus. It's so, so, so distracting to everyone. I love you. Just please. Take them out in the hall ideally.
5. If I'm walking in a class that is historically, problematic and no one flies off the handle/sent to the principal office that day, then we have a successful day. Please recognize that.
6. Have your tech actually ready to go. I shouldn't be fighting for programs to work.

I feel a lot of teachers do not fully understand the difficulty of this job and have certain expectations.

When I taught- my goal for the sub was

a. Keep the kids safe

b. Keep yourself sane

I'm considering doing the pre-reqs (1.5 years) and pursuing the degree however, I just want people to be real with me. We're always being told there is a shortage of labour but that hasn't been true.

Canada is obviously exceptionally competitive and I don't want to waste 2-4 years of my life waiting/hoping to get in. Looking to apply to the US but almost all the schools are 50k CAD tuition alone. Looking at online programs and still struggling to find anything affordable. I'm not in any of the provinces that have American agreements for tuition.

If anyone knows any that are actually affordable, I'd appreciate it.

How long will it take to get permanent? What's the actual pay? Is there any mobility into the US or other countries? Thanks :)

Wanting to pivot my career. I'm in Canada, worked 5 years as a teacher and am looking to pivot out. I want to get into a field with a concrete skill to lessen the threat of automation.

I left teaching due to violence.

I've been debating this for a year, have spoken to counsellors, family, friends and professionals in the field.

I'm trying to decide between dental hygiene, speech language pathology and medical laboratory technologist.

The goal is: a home, stable income, stable job

Medical Lab Technician:

• Easiest entry; only requires 3 courses for a pre requisites
• Employable everywhere with decent wages
• Cheapest out of all to obtain (tuition, living expenses etc)
• Fastest to get (1-3 years)
• Access to the US eventually

Con:

• Personally, least interested- though the work is essential and critical
• Highest risk of automation

Dental Hygienists:

• Very interested in the work
• Can obtain OT, private practice or working for an employer
• Requires 6 courses for pre requisites (2-3k)
• Employable everywhere with excellent wage

Con:

• High chance I don't get accepted; Extremely competitive entry
• No pension usually
• Extremely expensive education (40k)
• Requires 6 courses for pre requisites (2-3k)
• 3-4 years to complete (year for pre-requisites and 2-3 years for program)

Speech Language Pathologist:

• 1-3 years to complete (1 year pre-req, 2-3 courses)
• Employable everywhere with excellent wages
• Bridges my teaching experience easily; strengthens my application
• Allows me to still work with specific population (enjoyed working with young kids)
• Pension available
• Often unionized
• Can open private practice
• Can multi-source employers (take variety of contracts)
• Possibly able work in the US

Con:

• High chance I don't get accepted; Extremely competitive entry
• Will have to relocate to the US for education (don't mind, just expensive)
• Difficult pre requisites; Requires 8 courses
• Extremely expensive education (20-30k tuition for full program)