[Marilyn]

I have a dear friend who was an elementary teacher, then assistant principal, now he's a high school principal. It can be a very rewarding field, and he is devoted to it and to making a difference. He has told us some very sad stories though of children with no adult supervision, parents who are more interested in their drugs and sexual exploits than their children. Some of the children are abused and get no sleep before being dumped at school. One little boy would hide behind the bushes and they had to coax him inside the building and deal with his emotional issues. I guess it depends on where you are teaching, public vs private, and the area. You just need to be aware of all aspects of the job. It's not all smiling, cute children.

If this is what you want and you can handle all aspects of the job, go for it. We desperately need some really good teachers out there!!!!! Hope they pay well where you are. Here a teacher with a masters and 20 years experience makes less than a nurse or engineer right out of college.

Really not trying to got you down, but it's best to make an informed decision. Some teachers thrive in this environment.