Since then, school budgets have not gotten any better, in fact they are looking at potentially laying off another 40 teachers this year. I have applied for positions, but have come to the conclusion that I am too expensive - they can hire 2+ first-year teachers for what I cost between experience and education.
SO...I'm going back to school!
I have been interested in Criminal Justice for years now and have even taken several classes toward an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice. Initially I wanted to be a police officer, but becoming a Mom has changed that dream a bit for me. While working for several years in the county jail teaching, I got the chance to work with the Parole and Probation officers there and found that to be an interesting field, so have decided on a career change.
Technically I made this decision awhile ago and did a job shadow with a friend who currently works as a PO. She told me that with my degrees, I probably didn't need any schooling and had a great chance of getting hired. BUT, sadly, the budget crunches hit in those departments as well. SO, I have been patiently waiting for jobs to open up.
Now, I'm getting proactive. I'm still waiting for jobs to open up, but I'm going to start working on a Certificate of Corrections from our local community college. The Associates degree in Criminal Justice covers everything, not just P&P, and specializes a bit more in Law Enforcement. While interesting to me, that just didn't seem like the best plan of action at this time. I even looked into a Masters in Criminal Justice program at the school where I got my Masters in Education, but again, the coursework is more administrative in nature vs. practical. All things considered, I think the Certificate is my best first step. AND, if I get that and still haven't found a job, I will continue on to the Associates.
I think I have it worked out that I will have all my coursework done by next March, except the Cooperative Work Experience, which I can do at any time, but if I haven't yet, would begin next Spring and hopefully have it springboard me into a position.
SO - after Spring Break, I am going back to school! My plan is 2 classes Spring term, 1 classroom and 1 online. I think I can handle that and my Mommy duties and it should ease me back into the swing of school.
I'm so very excited at this new direction and can't wait to start school...again. I have often said that I'd be a professional student if I could - I love to learn new things, but in this case, I'm learning with a purpose, and luckily it's material I'd learn for fun anyway.
