Life Update: Becoming a Teacher!
A LOT has happened since my last blog post about one year ago.
Going Back to School to Become a Teacher
Last summer, I began a master’s program in teaching! All summer and fall of 2025, I worked on course work, taking exams, clinical experiences in the classroom, as well as substitute teaching a little here and there! Then, I was able to complete student teaching this spring in a 2nd-grade classroom, and I finally graduated with a master’s degree in teaching (elementary education) last month!
Getting this degree and my teaching license was quite the journey that you could say started several years ago. I have wanted to become a teacher for as long as I can remember. After high school, I went to college to become a Spanish teacher. Well, plans changed, and I got married and became a stay-at-home mom instead (which was the ultimate dream job). Over time, I took online classes and eventually graduated with my bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies while staying home with my kids. I was happy staying home and had no plans to use my degree.
So what changed?
For the past several years, I have been very passionate about budgeting and finance because we have had to be very diligent with budgeting to stretch our tight income. Well, early last year, I reached a point where I felt like I had to think of a way to earn money and still be with my four young kids as much as possible. We faced several severe financial hurdles in 2024 that affected us going into 2025. Side hustles were not working out for me. My husband was already working a second part-time job. And our expenses were already cut as low as possible.
Read about how I was feeling at the beginning of 2025 here.
After much thought and prayer, my husband and I agreed that I should go back to school and get my teaching degree.
Did I get a job??
Fast forward to today. Despite all the work to get here, numerous applications, and four interviews, I have not found a job for this coming school year. At this current moment, I do not have any prospective jobs on the horizon.
To say I feel defeated and crushed would be an understatement. I took out student loans and made my whole family sacrifice many things, so I could get my teaching license and hopefully find a teaching job to help my family’s finances. I don’t understand God’s plan for me at this moment, but I am trusting Him with it all.
Why I Went Back to School to Become a Teacher
Over our almost eight years of marriage, we have had numerous moments where I felt like money was stretched too thin. Just an hour ago, I was sitting outside when I heard a faint song playing in the distance. As the song grew louder, I realized it was the familiar tune of an ice cream truck. How exciting! I walked inside the house to tell my husband and kids to listen to it. A couple of my kids ran out of the house and asked if they could get ice cream. My heart sunk when I realized we don’t have any cash in the house, and we are already over budget this month.
Yes, ice cream trucks are expensive. But how often do you see one in your childhood? Maybe a few times? I would have gotten them the expensive ice cream if I could because an ice cream truck does not drive by our house often at all. This is just one moment out of thousands that make my heart ache. Things like this are what motivate me to change our financial situation.
It would be amazing if I could stay home longer or stay home again in the future. But at the current moment, I think the benefits of working outside of the home outweigh the drawbacks. I truly enjoy being in the classroom, too. In the future, I would love to write more about my teaching experiences!
I will keep you updated on what happens. I have tried to keep God at the center of my decisions, and although things seem a little fuzzy right now, I have faith that He is using all of this for something good.
Debt-Free Journey & Other Updates
Next month, I would like to restart the debt-free journey monthly updates (read my previous updates here!). I can tell you right now that after taking out more student loans to complete my master’s degree, our total debt is about $5,000 to $6,000 higher than it was one year ago. Which isn’t terrible.
Now that I am done with school, we can focus on lowering our debt again. If I get a teaching job, this will go a lot faster, but if not, I still want to stay focused and lower our debt.
I think I will end it here — I am sure I will share more thoughts in future blog updates! If you would like to read more about my journey going back to school to become a teacher as a mom of four, or have any other questions, leave a comment on this blog post!
Have a blessed day,
Avery 🤍
