Thanks For Commenting

I appreciate all your comments. Here's a little more about my "career" situation (in Mish Mash fashion.)

• I have a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.
• I have two endorsements on my teaching certificate: Elementary (grades 1-6) and Secondary Spanish (grades 6-12)
• Ironically, I cannot get a job teaching, say, 3rd grade because I have not taken and passed the Praxis exam which means I cannot be called "Highly Qualified". This test was not a requirement when I got my degree and because I was teaching in private school (and not teaching Elementary grades) at the time it was made a requirement, I was not "grandfathered" in. I could easily take the test and get the precious "HQ" rating, but haven't.
• I did take the Praxis exam for Spanish, passed it and was deemed "Highly Qualified" by my state. (Like I really needed them to tell me that.) Though I do not have a degree in Spanish I am certified to teach it.
• However, since I do not have a Master's degree in Spanish, I cannot teach at the college level. (Though quite frankly, I know I could and would be effective. Sorry if that seems conceited.)
• ESL jobs with the schools also require a degree (and passing a test.) I have considered going back to school for that, but I need to get Offspring through school first.
• More irony: I am being paid the same as a first year teacher. The public schools did not give me credit for the 14 years that I taught in the private schools. I did get credit for the two years in public...but the pay raise doesn't come until I complete three years. So next year I will get a raise. Still, I am making more than I was at the private schools.
• The one reason I stick with the job is the majority of the students are wonderful. We have a great rapport. I really am interested in what they say and their opinions about things. Maybe they need that more than they need Spanish.