MS and Career Choices

[Ojibajo]

WARNING: LONG POST!

I think I have more of a group of questions, than A question. Actually I think I am just fishing for advice.

I am a certified teacher. The market in my state for teachers is terrible. So for the past 6 years I have been working as a pre-college advisor for a federally funded grant program. I work out of the local University but we go into local middle schools and high schools and hold college prep workshops on a variety of topics and assist our students in graduating, and getting into the college of their choice.

I was longing to get back into the classroom, so I started taking graduate classes to add another certification or endorsement to hopefully make me more marketable. That's when the major MS stuff started.  I started taken classes two summers ago. I registered for 2 and dropped one. I didn't really know what was going on then, but I was having a really hard time, and they only thing that I could come up with was that it was migraine related. The following semester I again registered for 2 class and I was having horrible and constant migraines. I was fatigued and had trouble concentrating and retaining information. This is when I was sent to a neurologist had the MRI and well I guess you can figure out the rest. Ultimately my diagnosis was confirmed this February.

I taught summer school part-time this summer. (I get laid off in the summers.) I found it difficult, with the heat, but I made it though.

In my current position, I have a caseload of just under 300 students at two different high schools. And my office is station at the downtown campus of the university. I travel back and forth between the office and my two schools and have to lug all of my materials with me as well. The work is very fast paced and demanding due to all of the federal mandates and deadlines. I know that I can't keel doing it much longer, but since I only have a bachelor degree and my teaching cert just expired, I will have to return to school at some point.

It would be interesting to hear from other teachers on here or others who work in education. I know other teachers with MS who have had to leave their professions. I really don't want to do that but I'm not sure that I have much choice. At one point I wanted to go to law school (I also have a BS in Criminal Justice) but I don't think my body would be able to handle the demands of law school. I have been looking at school guidance counseling. (I really don't want to work in Higher Ed. I would prefer K-12). I am thinking that perhaps a counseling position, where I stay in one spot, might be more manageable.

Physically I am doing a lot better than I was a year ago, but fatigue is my biggest enemy. The more fatigued that I am, the more problems that I have concentrating, etc. I do however have to keep working full-time. I haven't had much luck finding information or career recommendations for those with MS. Any advice, suggestions or resource recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Ojibajo]

Thanks Shell! Hopefully I can some how figure out how to return to and survive grad school.

Lulu - I think the closest MSAA to me is in Detroit. :(

I have looked at related articles on their website, but the information wasn't very specific. Just sort of like the general. "Should I quit working or not?"

I do have the placard (which I hate, but admit it does help) and a rolling cart, some of the problem is the need to be fast-paced and uber organized even under time constraints while going from location to location and I seem to have a hard time with all that as of recent.

[sllowe]

Oji,

I know you asked for teachers advice, or those in the educational system...I'm not. But, have done my fair share of teaching in other settings.

As I read through your post, it was obvious to me you still have the passion that lead you to teach, to advise, to help steer others in directions that may be best for them, or to simply know the in's and outs of how to receive an education or identify fields. Passion behind talent and experience is priceless.

Guidance sounds like a nice fit from the snipped of thoughts you've given us. You've been on both sides of this - you'd be perfect :) And, if limitations completely strip you away after you have both feet in at a later time, then so be it. At least while you have some ability left to give, I say go ahead and give it. You and those who are fortunate to be at the other side of the desk will be all the better for it.
(((Hugs)))
shell

[Lulu54]

That wasn't such a long post!  LOL  May I suggest that you contact your local NMSS chapter and ask for career counseling?  They do offer that service and perhaps they can help you sort out the options. It helps to have an outside perspective.

But one thing I do know is you can't plan your future trying to second guess what your MS will bring your way.  If there is something you are passionate about doing, then by all means pursue it.  If it becomes too much you can always change course.

In the meantime, think if there are ways you can work with less physical demand, such as a cart/briefcase on wheels to haul all your materials.  I trust you already have a handicapped placard for parking so you can get as close as possible.

Good luck with working through this,
Lulu