u/Toast_crunch9923

The title pretty much sums it up. To make a long story short, teaching has always been something I’ve been interested in and genuinely have a passion for. My first job ever was an after school counselor when I was 21. I’m turning 26 this October btw, important info.
While I was an after school counselor, I was also attending university. I received my BA in elementary education from Florida Atlantic University. I’ve lived here my whole life and my family as well. I’m not moving out of Florida any time soon, it’s just what it is.
My last semester of university consisted of skipping student teaching and jumping straight into teaching. The university called it an accelerated program. I made $400 a month as opposed to making nothing if I shadowed a teacher. Big fucking mistake. Terrible university program. I graduated December 2023. I didn’t tell my students that I wasn’t actually done with university but they didn’t have to know anyway.
I became a teacher at the same school where I worked as an after school counselor for those two years prior. I taught 3rd grade reading and writing at a public school. My personal life was absolute shit. My partner at the time was doing the exact thing as me. Terrible codependency relationship issues. On top of my career, I had to help them as well. In a way, I feel like I didn’t get to truly begin my teaching career while dealing with an adult who was basically a narcissistic toddler.
I quit in September of 2024. I was terrified that I might actually go senile during my second year of teaching. I finally landed a job by November at an animal shelter as an intake coordinator. I absolutely loved it, but was making my $16 an hour and the INSANE emotional tool was slowly killing me, just how I felt during teaching. I lasted for nearly two years. As of last month, I’m a Customer Service Associate at Walgreens making $17 an hour. I’m so depressed. I’m working with high schoolers and questionable adults.
I went to university for crying out loud. I moved back in with my parents last year and I just feel so defeated. Teaching at least gave me purpose, health benefits, breaks, consistent schedules…dignity. I don’t know what the fuck to do with my life.