u/muslim_ballerr

​

I’ve decided to stay in New York and pursue my master’s here instead of moving out of state, mainly because a family member offered to help pay for my graduate degree.

My long-term goal is to become an elementary-level Special Education teacher in New York State. Right now I currently work as a teacher aide in a special education setting.

I had originally considered an out-of-state teacher residency program because I liked the apprenticeship/hands-on structure, but financially and long-term it probably makes more sense for me to stay in NY if my master’s is covered.

My question is:

Is it realistic/helpful to start studying for some of the NYS teacher certification exams (especially the EAS) before even starting my master’s program?

Has anyone here passed the EAS early while still working as an aide or before student teaching?

Would you recommend I continue working as a teacher aide while pursuing my master’s, even if the program is online?

I’m trying to use the next several months productively instead of waiting around before grad school starts.

Would appreciate honest advice from people already teaching in NY, especially SPED teachers or career changers.

Just applied for NYS Master’s in Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship — how likely am I to qualify?

I just applied for the New York State Master’s in Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program and uploaded my unofficial undergraduate transcript.

I have a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and my GPA is 3.51.

I also submitted proof of my degree and graduation date as required.

I’m planning to pursue a Special Education master’s program (likely through a SUNY school), but I haven’t officially applied to a college yet — I’m still researching programs.

For anyone familiar with this scholarship:

\* How competitive is it?

\* With a 3.51 GPA, am I in a strong position or is it still very selective?

\* Does anyone know how strict they are about undergraduate major (since mine is not education)?

Any insight from people who have applied or received it would be really helpful. Thanks!

​

I just applied for the New York State Master’s in Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program and uploaded my unofficial undergraduate transcript.

I have a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and my GPA is 3.51.

I also submitted proof of my degree and graduation date as required.

I’m planning to pursue a Special Education master’s program (likely through a SUNY school), but I haven’t officially applied to a college yet — I’m still researching programs.

For anyone familiar with this scholarship:

* How competitive is it?

* With a 3.51 GPA, am I in a strong position or is it still very selective?

* Does anyone know how strict they are about undergraduate major (since mine is not education)?

Any insight from people who have applied or received it would be really helpful. Thanks!

​

I have a Honda CR-V with about 33k miles on it. I got my last oil change around 29.5k miles, so it’s only been about 3,500 miles since the last service.

The Walmart sticker says I’m due for another oil change already, but my Honda oil life monitor still says 70%.

Should I follow the sticker and get it changed now, or trust the Honda Maintenance Minder and wait longer? Curious what other CR-V owners do.

Considering Arizona teacher residency as a reset before coming back to NY — would this be a smart move?

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I’m looking for honest advice from people in education, especially SPED teachers or anyone familiar with NY hiring.

I’m currently working as a teacher aide in a self-contained special education classroom on Long Island, NY. I have a bachelor’s in business and I’m working toward becoming a certified special education teacher.

Today I had a formal meeting with my principal and a union rep regarding multiple concerns that were brought up (student interaction/supervision concerns and instructional issues). It was framed as corrective training and expectations, and I signed documentation that will go into an HR file. I’m still employed, but it’s clear I’m now under closer administrative scrutiny than before.

Because of this and overall frustration with slow progression, I’m seriously reconsidering my path.

I’m looking at a teacher residency program in Arizona that would:

\* place me into a full-time teaching role faster (SPED/high-needs)

\* provide a subsidized/free master’s program

\* allow me to gain 2–4 years of real classroom experience earlier

My plan would be:

\* Years 1–2: Arizona residency + become full SPED teacher

\* Years 3–4: continue teaching and focus heavily on passing New York State certification exams

\* After that: apply back to NY (BOCES, NYC DOE, or Long Island SPED positions)

My main goal is long-term stability as a special education teacher in New York, but I’m trying to figure out if stepping out of NY for a few years would hurt or help that goal.

My questions:

\* Would Arizona experience be viewed positively when coming back to NY SPED hiring?

\* Would I still be competitive for BOCES/DOE/Long Island positions after 3–4 years out of state?

\* Is this kind of “reset + return” strategy actually realistic in education, or does it hurt re-entry chances more than it helps?

I’m trying to make a practical decision, not an emotional one, so I’d really appreciate honest perspectives from people who know how NY hiring actually works.

​

I’m looking for honest advice from people in education, especially SPED teachers or anyone familiar with NY hiring.

I’m currently working as a teacher aide in a self-contained special education classroom on Long Island, NY. I have a bachelor’s in business and I’m working toward becoming a certified special education teacher.

Today I had a formal meeting with my principal and a union rep regarding multiple concerns that were brought up (student interaction/supervision concerns and instructional issues). It was framed as corrective training and expectations, and I signed documentation that will go into an HR file. I’m still employed, but it’s clear I’m now under closer administrative scrutiny than before.

Because of this and overall frustration with slow progression, I’m seriously reconsidering my path.

I’m looking at a teacher residency program in Arizona that would:

place me into a full-time teaching role faster (SPED/high-needs)

provide a subsidized/free master’s program

allow me to gain 2–4 years of real classroom experience earlier

My plan would be:

Years 1–2: Arizona residency + become full SPED teacher

Years 3–4: continue teaching and focus heavily on passing New York State certification exams

After that: apply back to NY (BOCES, NYC DOE, or Long Island SPED positions)

My main goal is long-term stability as a special education teacher in New York, but I’m trying to figure out if stepping out of NY for a few years would hurt or help that goal.

My questions:

Would Arizona experience be viewed positively when coming back to NY SPED hiring?

Would I still be competitive for BOCES/DOE/Long Island positions after 3–4 years out of state?

Is this kind of “reset + return” strategy actually realistic in education, or does it hurt re-entry chances more than it helps?

I’m trying to make a practical decision, not an emotional one, so I’d really appreciate honest perspectives from people who know how NY hiring actually works.

​

I’m looking for honest advice from people in education, especially SPED teachers or anyone familiar with NY hiring.

I’m currently working as a teacher aide in a self-contained special education classroom on Long Island, NY. I have a bachelor’s in business and I’m working toward becoming a certified special education teacher.

Today I had a formal meeting with my principal and a union rep regarding multiple concerns that were brought up (student interaction/supervision concerns and instructional issues). It was framed as corrective training and expectations, and I signed documentation that will go into an HR file. I’m still employed, but it’s clear I’m now under closer administrative scrutiny than before.

Because of this and overall frustration with slow progression, I’m seriously reconsidering my path.

I’m looking at a teacher residency program in Arizona that would:

* place me into a full-time teaching role faster (SPED/high-needs)

* provide a subsidized/free master’s program

* allow me to gain 2–4 years of real classroom experience earlier

My plan would be:

* Years 1–2: Arizona residency + become full SPED teacher

* Years 3–4: continue teaching and focus heavily on passing New York State certification exams

* After that: apply back to NY (BOCES, NYC DOE, or Long Island SPED positions)

My main goal is long-term stability as a special education teacher in New York, but I’m trying to figure out if stepping out of NY for a few years would hurt or help that goal.

My questions:

* Would Arizona experience be viewed positively when coming back to NY SPED hiring?

* Would I still be competitive for BOCES/DOE/Long Island positions after 3–4 years out of state?

* Is this kind of “reset + return” strategy actually realistic in education, or does it hurt re-entry chances more than it helps?

I’m trying to make a practical decision, not an emotional one, so I’d really appreciate honest perspectives from people who know how NY hiring actually works.

Feeling Micromanaged as a Male TA (aid) in Special Ed — Is This a Sign I Should Accept My Arizona Teacher Residency?

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I’m 28 and currently working as a teacher’s aide in a Special Ed elementary classroom in New York while trying to transition into teaching full-time. My long-term goal is to eventually become a Special Ed teacher back in NYS, but lately I’ve been seriously questioning whether staying on the “teacher aide → master’s later → certification later” path is even the right move for me anymore.

The thing is, I actually like working with the kids. The issue is more the environment with the adults I work with. I’m the only male adult in the room (everyone else is female staff), and lately I’ve been feeling increasingly isolated, micromanaged, and honestly uncomfortable at work. Small things constantly get nitpicked, and it feels like every mistake gets highlighted even when I’m trying my best.

For example, one parent complained that their child’s shoes were put on incorrectly after a diaper change — except I wasn’t even the one who changed the child that day. Another situation happened where I locked the bathroom door while helping a student because I previously worked in healthcare, where privacy is heavily emphasized. The teacher got upset and told me not to do that, and I apologized because I genuinely forgot school protocol is different.

What’s getting to me is that I feel like I’m constantly walking on eggshells. I come into work and don’t really feel welcomed or included socially. Most mornings I just sit quietly because the atmosphere feels awkward and cold toward me. Meanwhile, we had a male sub recently who seemed to get treated much more warmly and casually than I do, which honestly made me question whether I’m just overthinking everything or if there’s something deeper going on.

At the same time, I got accepted into a teacher residency program in Arizona where tuition and fees for the master’s are covered, and the pathway feels much more structured:

\\\* apprenticeship/residency first year

\\\* master’s included

\\\* pathway toward becoming a lead teacher

\\\* actual classroom experience

Compared to staying in NY where I currently feel stuck as a TA with no clear roadmap, the Arizona route is starting to feel more appealing even though moving cross-country scares me.

Part of me feels guilty leaving NY since my long-term goal is still to teach here eventually, but another part of me feels like this current environment is making me psychologically outgrow the aide role altogether.

Has anyone else experienced this as a TA/paraprofessional? Did becoming the lead teacher change the dynamic completely? And for people who moved out of state for residency programs, was it worth it in the long run?

​

I’m 28 and currently working as a teacher’s aide in a Special Ed elementary classroom in New York while trying to transition into teaching full-time. My long-term goal is to eventually become a Special Ed teacher back in NYS, but lately I’ve been seriously questioning whether staying on the “teacher aide → master’s later → certification later” path is even the right move for me anymore.

The thing is, I actually like working with the kids. The issue is more the environment with the adults I work with. I’m the only male adult in the room (everyone else is female staff), and lately I’ve been feeling increasingly isolated, micromanaged, and honestly uncomfortable at work. Small things constantly get nitpicked, and it feels like every mistake gets highlighted even when I’m trying my best.

For example, one parent complained that their child’s shoes were put on incorrectly after a diaper change — except I wasn’t even the one who changed the child that day. Another situation happened where I locked the bathroom door while helping a student because I previously worked in healthcare, where privacy is heavily emphasized. The teacher got upset and told me not to do that, and I apologized because I genuinely forgot school protocol is different.

What’s getting to me is that I feel like I’m constantly walking on eggshells. I come into work and don’t really feel welcomed or included socially. Most mornings I just sit quietly because the atmosphere feels awkward and cold toward me. Meanwhile, we had a male sub recently who seemed to get treated much more warmly and casually than I do, which honestly made me question whether I’m just overthinking everything or if there’s something deeper going on.

At the same time, I got accepted into a teacher residency program in Arizona where tuition and fees for the master’s are covered, and the pathway feels much more structured:

* apprenticeship/residency first year

* master’s included

* pathway toward becoming a lead teacher

* actual classroom experience

Compared to staying in NY where I currently feel stuck as a TA with no clear roadmap, the Arizona route is starting to feel more appealing even though moving cross-country scares me.

Part of me feels guilty leaving NY since my long-term goal is still to teach here eventually, but another part of me feels like this current environment is making me psychologically outgrow the aide role altogether.

Has anyone else experienced this as a TA/paraprofessional? Did becoming the lead teacher change the dynamic completely? And for people who moved out of state for residency programs, was it worth it in the long run?

Is $970 too good to be true for shipping a car from NY to Arizona? Anyone used US Star Trucking?

Has anyone used US Star Trucking to ship a car before? I’m trying to ship my car from New York to Arizona, and most quotes I got were around $1,500+.

But US Star Trucking emailed me saying they could do it for $970, which honestly shocked me. I called them directly and they confirmed the price over the phone too.

What’s weird is I went back on their website afterward and got another quote for around $1,350, but they said they’re still honoring the original $970 email quote.

That price difference seems almost too good to be true, so now I’m wondering if this is legit or if there’s some catch later on. Anyone have experience with this company or know why the quote would vary that much?

2023 honda crv

**Update: I found out why I was switched classrooms… and now I’m even more confused**

I posted a couple weeks ago about being randomly switched to a different classroom as a TA after only a month and a half, and how awkward things felt afterward.

Well, I finally got some kind of answer.

About two weeks into being in my new classroom, I got called into the principal’s office. First thing they asked me (again) was how I was liking the job. I gave the same answer as before — that it’s mentally draining but rewarding.

Then they told me that someone from my old classroom reported me for sexual harassment.

I’m not gonna lie — I kind of suspected it might’ve been her. Ever since I switched classrooms, the way she acted toward me completely changed. You can just tell when someone doesn’t want to even look at you.

But here’s where it gets even more confusing.

They said it wasn’t just one person — it involved more than one woman. That honestly shocked me. From the bottom of my heart, I genuinely cannot think of more than one person where I joked around or may have come off even slightly flirty.

I wanted to ask who or how many, but I was basically told they couldn’t share that information.

So now I’m sitting here trying to piece things together with almost no details.

I’ll be honest with myself though:

By definition, yeah — some of what I said could fall under sexual harassment. But was it extreme or malicious? I genuinely don’t think so.

What’s confusing me is the dynamic I had with that one coworker.

She would ask me about my dating life, what I do for fun, etc. We joked around a lot. During spring break, she even texted me first asking how my break was and joking about me being a “player.” From there, I did ask her to hang out — first more casually, then suggesting going out (bars, restaurant, etc.), and she’d respond in a joking way too.

There was back-and-forth teasing on both sides.

Even when she said “as friends because we work together,” I respected that and kept it light after that. There are also plenty of messages where I’m just being normal and professional.

Looking back now, I can see where I probably crossed a line — especially mixing work and personal/flirty conversation. That’s on me.

But at the same time, I’m struggling to understand how it escalated to a report — and especially how it involves more than one woman — when the dynamic didn’t feel one-sided in the moment.

Now I’m stuck with a few thoughts:

* Did I misread everything that badly?

* Were people uncomfortable and just didn’t say anything directly?

* Is there something I did that I’m not fully aware of?

I’m not trying to dodge accountability — I get that workplace boundaries matter, and I should’ve kept things strictly professional no matter what.

But the situation still feels confusing, especially being told it involves more than one person without any specifics.

Also, for anyone with experience in education: did I potentially jeopardize my chances of moving up into a teaching role in the future, especially within the same school district?

Has anyone else dealt with something like this? Where a “friendly/joking” dynamic turns into something serious like this?

Trying to learn from it, but also make sense of it.

Update: I found out why I was switched classrooms… and now I’m even more confused

I posted a couple weeks ago about being randomly switched to a different classroom as a TA (teacher aid). after only a month and a half, and how awkward things felt afterward.

Well, I finally got some kind of answer.

About two weeks into being in my new classroom, I got called into the principal’s office. First thing they asked me (again) was how I was liking the job. I gave the same answer as before — that it’s mentally draining but rewarding.

Then they told me that someone from my old classroom reported me for sexual harassment.

I’m not gonna lie — I kind of suspected it might’ve been her. Ever since I switched classrooms, the way she acted toward me completely changed. You can just tell when someone doesn’t want to even look at you.

But here’s where it gets even more confusing.

They said it wasn’t just one person — that there were multiple complaints. That honestly shocked me. From the bottom of my heart, I genuinely cannot think of more than one person where I joked around or may have come off even slightly flirty.

I wanted to ask who else or how many, but I was basically told they couldn’t share that information.

So now I’m sitting here trying to piece things together with almost no details.

I’ll be honest with myself though:

By definition, yeah — some of what I said could fall under sexual harassment. But was it extreme or malicious? I genuinely don’t think so.

What’s confusing me is the dynamic I had with that one coworker.

She would ask me about my dating life, what I do for fun, etc. We joked around a lot. During spring break, she even texted me first asking how my break was and joking about me being a “player.” From there, I did ask her to hang out — first more casually, then suggesting going out (bars, restaurant, etc.), and she’d respond in a joking way too.

There was back-and-forth teasing on both sides.

Even when she said “as friends because we work together,” I respected that and kept it light after that. There are also plenty of messages where I’m just being normal and professional.

Looking back now, I can see where I probably crossed a line — especially mixing work and personal/flirty conversation. That’s on me.

But at the same time, I’m struggling to understand how it escalated to a report — and especially how it turned into multiple complaints — when the dynamic didn’t feel one-sided in the moment.

Now I’m stuck with a few thoughts:

• Did I misread everything that badly?
• Were people uncomfortable and just didn’t say anything directly?
• Is there something I did that I’m not fully aware of?

I’m not trying to dodge accountability — I get that workplace boundaries matter, and I should’ve kept things strictly professional no matter what.

But the situation still feels confusing, especially being told there are multiple complaints without any specifics.

Has anyone else dealt with something like this? Where a “friendly/joking” dynamic turns into something serious like this?

Trying to learn from it, but also make sense of it.

**Title: 28M — Arizona teaching residency (free master’s) vs staying in NY… what gives me the best shot at becoming a teacher?**

Hey everyone,

I’m 28, living with my parents on Long Island, and I need to make a **final decision this week**. I’d really appreciate honest advice from teachers or anyone who’s been in a similar situation.

---

## **Option 1: Arizona teaching residency**

* Free master’s degree

* 4-year program

* Year 1: teaching apprenticeship (~$20–30k)

* Years 2–4: ~50k while teaching

* Immediate classroom experience

* No student debt

Cons:

* Cross-country move

* Arizona education system isn’t ranked great

* If I come back to NY, I’d still need to pass NY certification exams

* First year will be financially tight

Worst case:

* I struggle in the program and end up back in NY

* Or I complete 4 years but still have to jump through hoops to teach in NY

---

## **Option 2: Stay in New York**

* Get my master’s (likely going into debt)

* Try again for NYC Teaching Fellows (rejected last cycle)

* Possibly work as a teacher’s aide while studying

Cons:

* No guaranteed teaching job

* Hiring (especially on Long Island) feels very competitive/political

* High cost of living

* Risk of debt with no clear job outcome

---

## **My background**

* Degree in accounting (career switch)

* Passion for teaching—especially **elementary and/or special education** (I was in special ed myself growing up, so this is personal for me)

---

## **What I’m really trying to figure out**

From a realistic standpoint:

👉 Which path gives me the **better chance of actually being a full-time teacher within the next 4 years?**

* Arizona = guaranteed experience + no debt

* New York = closer to where I want to be long-term, but way less certain

---

## **Where I’m stuck**

I keep going back and forth:

* One day Arizona feels like the smartest move

* Next day I feel like I’m making it harder to come back to NY

I also know:

* Year 1 in Arizona will be a grind financially

* After 4 years, I can decide whether to stay or come back to NY (and take the certification exams then)

---

## **What would you do?**

If your goal was:

👉 Become a teacher as reliably as possible within 4 years

Would you:

* Take the Arizona route and build experience?

* Or stay in NY and try to break in the traditional way?

---

I have to move in the next ~2 months if I choose Arizona, so timing is tight.

Really appreciate any honest input—especially from teachers or career changers.

Thanks 🙏

​

​

Hey everyone,

I’m 27 and moving from New York to Arizona for a teaching residency program. My first year salary is going to be around $20k–$30k, and I wouldn’t be expecting to move until around mid-July. I’m trying to figure out the housing situation ahead of time.

I’ve been hearing about income-restricted apartments (LIHTC housing), and it sounds like that might be a better option than Section 8 since I know waitlists can take forever.

A few questions:

\* Would I likely qualify with a $20–30k income as a single person household?

\* Do these places have long waitlists, or is it possible to get in within a couple months?

\* How strict are they about income (like minimum income requirements vs max)?

\* Do they consider someone in a residency program as stable income?

\* Any tips on finding legit listings or specific complexes to look into?

I’m open to roommates if needed, but I’d prefer to live alone if it’s realistically affordable.

Appreciate any advice or experiences—especially from anyone who’s been in a similar situation starting out in AZ.

Thanks!

​

I’m 27 and currently living on Long Island, trying to figure out my next move. I just got an opportunity through a program in Arizona where they’ll help me become a teacher. A couple of mentors/teachers there are guiding me through it, and by year 2 I’d be making around $50k.

Here’s where I’m stuck:

My long-term goal was always to come back to New York and teach here. Eventually, I could be making $80–90k. But realistically… the cost of living here is insane. Starter homes on Long Island are like $500k minimum, and that’s not changing anytime soon.

Meanwhile in Arizona:

Much lower cost of living

Starter homes around $150k (!!)

The program basically sets me up with little to no debt

I’d have 4 years to figure out if I actually want to stay or not

Certification could transfer to other states like Texas or Florida

So now I’m questioning everything — why rush back to NY where I can’t even afford to settle down? Arizona seems like it gives me flexibility, experience, and a chance to actually build a life.

At the same time, NY is home. Family, familiarity, and the higher eventual salary are hard to ignore.

Has anyone made a similar move? Left NY (or another high-cost state) for somewhere more affordable and then decided whether to come back or stay?

Would really appreciate any advice or perspectives.

​

Hey everyone,

I’m a young male para/teacher aide and I’ve recently been moved into a new classroom with two TAs and a teacher. It’s only been about a week, but I’ve already started noticing a lot of small corrections and “check-ins” that feel a bit like micromanaging.

For example, I’ll be working with students (walking them, supporting transitions, etc.), and I’ll get told things like I should be complimenting the kids more often, or reminded to do certain responses in specific situations. I don’t really mind feedback in general, but sometimes it feels like I’m being closely monitored even when I’m already doing the same things I’ve been told.

There was also a situation where a student I was with started crying, and I stayed with them and continued walking them while trying to keep things calm. Later I was told I should have immediately stopped and asked what was wrong. I understand that perspective, but I noticed similar situations handled differently depending on who was involved, which added to the feeling of inconsistency.

I try to be adaptable and I’m not planning to stay in this role long-term, so I’ve mostly just been letting things go and staying professional. But I’m wondering if this level of oversight is normal in this field, especially early on or in certain teams?

For those of you who’ve worked as paras or teacher aides:

* Do you experience this kind of micromanaging?

* How do you usually handle it without it affecting your work or confidence?

* Do you just ignore it, adapt, or address it directly?

Would really appreciate hearing other people’s experiences.

​

Is it worth moving to Arizona for a teacher residency if my goal is to come back to NY later?

\​

I’m looking for some honest advice from teachers, especially anyone familiar with New York and out-of-state pathways.

Right now I’m working as a teacher aide on Long Island making about $18/hour. I recently got accepted into a teacher residency program in Arizona where I’d be working as a paraprofessional and completing a Master’s + certification over 4 years (with tuition covered through a program like Arizona Teachers Academy).

My long-term goal is to come back to New York and teach here.

My current plan would be:

\\\* Do the 4-year program in Arizona

\\\* Gain real classroom experience

\\\* Finish my Master’s and certification

\\\* In my final year, start working on New York certification exams through New York State Education Department

\\\* Eventually move back to NY and teach

But my family is strongly pushing me to stay in New York, keep working as an aide, and try to get my Master’s/certification here instead.

My concerns with staying in NY:

\\\* I’d be making \\\~$18/hour while paying for a Master’s (likely going into debt)

\\\* No guaranteed teaching job afterward

\\\* Long Island/NYC hiring feels very political and competitive

\\\* I’ve already been rejected from programs like Teach for America, and I know programs like NYC Teaching Fellows are competitive too

What’s appealing about Arizona:

\\\* Structured pathway into teaching

\\\* Classroom experience from day one

\\\* Tuition covered (as long as I complete the program)

\\\* Clearer pipeline into a full-time teaching role

My biggest question:

\\\*\\\*Is it a bad idea to leave NY, build experience and certification in another state, and then try to come back?\\\*\\\*

Will that hurt me when trying to get licensed or hired in NY later? Or is the experience actually a big advantage, especially if I go into Special Ed?

Also, for those in NY:

\\\*\\\*Is staying and doing the “traditional route” actually safer, or is it just slower and more uncertain?\\\*\\\*

Would really appreciate honest perspectives, especially from people who’ve made similar moves or hired teachers coming from out of state.

\\---

Is it worth moving to Arizona for a teacher residency if my goal is to come back to NY later?

​

I’m looking for some honest advice from teachers, especially anyone familiar with New York and out-of-state pathways.

Right now I’m working as a teacher aide on Long Island making about $18/hour. I recently got accepted into a teacher residency program in Arizona where I’d be working as a paraprofessional and completing a Master’s + certification over 4 years (with tuition covered through a program like Arizona Teachers Academy).

My long-term goal is to come back to New York and teach here.

My current plan would be:

\* Do the 4-year program in Arizona

\* Gain real classroom experience

\* Finish my Master’s and certification

\* In my final year, start working on New York certification exams through New York State Education Department

\* Eventually move back to NY and teach

But my family is strongly pushing me to stay in New York, keep working as an aide, and try to get my Master’s/certification here instead.

My concerns with staying in NY:

\* I’d be making \~$18/hour while paying for a Master’s (likely going into debt)

\* No guaranteed teaching job afterward

\* Long Island/NYC hiring feels very political and competitive

\* I’ve already been rejected from programs like Teach for America, and I know programs like NYC Teaching Fellows are competitive too

What’s appealing about Arizona:

\* Structured pathway into teaching

\* Classroom experience from day one

\* Tuition covered (as long as I complete the program)

\* Clearer pipeline into a full-time teaching role

My biggest question:

\*\*Is it a bad idea to leave NY, build experience and certification in another state, and then try to come back?\*\*

Will that hurt me when trying to get licensed or hired in NY later? Or is the experience actually a big advantage, especially if I go into Special Ed?

Also, for those in NY:

\*\*Is staying and doing the “traditional route” actually safer, or is it just slower and more uncertain?\*\*

Would really appreciate honest perspectives, especially from people who’ve made similar moves or hired teachers coming from out of state.

\---

​

I’m looking for some honest advice from teachers, especially anyone familiar with New York and out-of-state pathways.

Right now I’m working as a teacher aide on Long Island making about $18/hour. I recently got accepted into a teacher residency program in Arizona where I’d be working as a paraprofessional and completing a Master’s + certification over 4 years (with tuition covered through a program like Arizona Teachers Academy).

My long-term goal is to come back to New York and teach here.

My current plan would be:

* Do the 4-year program in Arizona

* Gain real classroom experience

* Finish my Master’s and certification

* In my final year, start working on New York certification exams through New York State Education Department

* Eventually move back to NY and teach

But my family is strongly pushing me to stay in New York, keep working as an aide, and try to get my Master’s/certification here instead.

My concerns with staying in NY:

* I’d be making ~$18/hour while paying for a Master’s (likely going into debt)

* No guaranteed teaching job afterward

* Long Island/NYC hiring feels very political and competitive

* I’ve already been rejected from programs like Teach for America, and I know programs like NYC Teaching Fellows are competitive too

What’s appealing about Arizona:

* Structured pathway into teaching

* Classroom experience from day one

* Tuition covered (as long as I complete the program)

* Clearer pipeline into a full-time teaching role

My biggest question:

**Is it a bad idea to leave NY, build experience and certification in another state, and then try to come back?**

Will that hurt me when trying to get licensed or hired in NY later? Or is the experience actually a big advantage, especially if I go into Special Ed?

Also, for those in NY:

**Is staying and doing the “traditional route” actually safer, or is it just slower and more uncertain?**

Would really appreciate honest perspectives, especially from people who’ve made similar moves or hired teachers coming from out of state.

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I’ve been working as a teacher aide on Long Island, NY ($18/hour), and I’ve honestly been questioning why so many people stay in this job long-term.

I’m not trying to disrespect anyone doing this role—I’ve just been thinking about it a lot lately because the workload vs pay doesn’t seem to match at all, at least in my experience.

Most days I leave thinking: why would anyone choose to stay in this job for years?

In my building, it often feels like aides are doing a lot of the heavy lifting in classrooms—supporting students 1:1, managing behaviors, helping with instruction—while still being paid less than retail in some cases around here.

What’s confusing to me is how people sustain it long-term, especially if they have families or other responsibilities. The job is mentally draining, and I don’t really see how someone could realistically have the energy for a second job on top of it.

For context, I took this job mainly to get classroom experience while I figure out if I want to go into special education and pursue certification. So for me, it makes sense as a stepping stone.

But I’m curious about others:

**Why do you stay in this job long-term?**

Is it benefits, schedule, passion for the work, or something else I might be missing?

I also feel like this role seems most realistic for people using it as:

* a stepping stone into teaching/certification

* or someone who needs a schedule that fits around family life

But I might be totally off, which is why I’m asking.

Would really appreciate honest perspectives.