changing my major..hard decision

[Alicebway982]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 1:43pm

I have now pretty much decided that instead of continueing with my theatre performance major in school, I want to get into education with a theatre concentration. The fact is...I want to live in a city, to experience theatre but also make money and not worry about when my next "gig" will be. Are there any NYC public/private school teachers out there to help me with some information. I hear school teachers in the inner city schools make a TON of money compared to suburbia and small townie land. Can I make a decent living being a school teacher in NYC and have a nice little apartment? Is this possible??

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 2:20pm

Oh, Peter...I do believe in Fairies, I do, I do, I do!

Sorry, Alice...no where in the country do school teachers make enough money to live comfortably in Manhattan. Way out in one of the borroughs, maybe -- with a roommate.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 2:22pm

Teachers aren't paid well at all. What is the average salary, $22,000?

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 2:33pm

But let me let you know what my plan is.

My current major is Theatre (performance). However, I am also trying to work in a double major with Theatre (Education). So far, it is working, but it seems that scheduling classes for my Junior year is going to be tricky. I may have to do an extra semester, however, that is more money.

My tenative plan right now is to go to New York and try out the "auditioning while being a waiter for ends meat" scene. I'll see how that goes. If it works, great, if not, I'll teach Theatre in high school.

In my state, if you teach in that same state in a public school for four consecutive years, they will refund your tuition (not room and board or other expenses, just tuition) from all four years you were a undergraduate. However, I will need to go to graduate school for my Master's. Another two years of school.

So if I can't be on the stage (or on camera), at least I can make a nice living doing something I still love.

Not sure if it helps, but that is my situation.

[marincrazy11]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 2:43pm

just curious, what schools have a theatre education degree cuz I know here in Michigan they don't certify theatre teachers?

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 2:43pm

UNC-Greensboro.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 3:17pm

continueing?

..."auditioning while being a waiter for ends meat"...???

And you want to be a teacher?
Sorry...

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 3:19pm

Actually, the word combination "ends meat" just reeks of homoerotocism. Perhaps this aspiring teacher needs to teach creative writing.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 3:19pm

Hey, I'm not teaching English.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 3:26pm

Just what the teaching profession needs...Drama teachers who don't know English.

Creative writing is a much better idea...

Good luck.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 3:27pm

come on, guys - I'm sure it was from typing to fast...cut the guy a break!LOL.....

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 3:29pm

I take no offense, I just laugh.

I am not writing a term paper, this is an unformal message boards. La!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 3:30pm

The break is cut...

and I'm sure YOUR mistake was from typing TOO fast, also.

Cheers.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 3:35pm

Thank you for the correction - I usually spell that right but today I am so tired I can't even see straight...new apartment, new surroundings, little sleep - OY!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 3:37pm

To provide a more serious reply -

Public school teachers in NYC earn more than Private school teachers, as a general rule. You may find it difficult to obtain a position as a Drama teacher, as the openings for such a specific academic area are generally limited. NYC is always looking for teachers so you should contact the Board of Education for requirements and openings. (I'm sure they have a website, however I don't know what it is).

I must warn you that, although one is able to make ends meet as a public school teacher, the cost of housing is prohibitive in Manhattan. A roommate and an apartment in one of the other boroughs will be your best bet.

I do wish you luck.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 3:43pm

The starting salary for a beginning teacher with a Bachelor's degree in the New York City Public Schools is $39,000 plus benefits. Obviously, credits earned beyond that will lead to greater compensation (a friend with a Master's started at just under $50,000). Plus, like a lot of teachers, you could also get a full-time job during the summer break to earn extra cash beyond that (teach summer school or do something non-education related). You won't live in luxury, but you certainly could live rather comfortably as a teacher in NYC (especially if you have a roommate and live outside of Manhattan).
NYC Public Schools Info for recent college graduates

[ActionBoy]

Posted: 6/2/04 at 11:26pm

Just some advice:

Unless you have a burning desire to teach... don't make it your "fall back." If teaching isn't something you will absolutely LOVE doing, don't waste your time getting a degree in it. If you love theatre, go for the degree in theatre. If you love teaching as much as your love theatre, if not more, the education back-up plan is acceptable. Otherwise, you are only kidding yourself and your future students.

P.
(would make an awful teacher, i'll wait tables instead)

"theatre is life, film is art, television is furniture."

[Jon]

Posted: 6/3/04 at 5:46am

What DO you do with a B.A. in English???

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/3/04 at 10:06am

"Unless you have a burning desire to teach... don't make it your "fall back." If teaching isn't something you will absolutely LOVE doing, don't waste your time getting a degree in it. If you love theatre, go for the degree in theatre. If you love teaching as much as your love theatre, if not more, the education back-up plan is acceptable. Otherwise, you are only kidding yourself and your future students."

I would love to teach. I want to perform more, but again, if it doesn't work out, I will teach. I am told that most high school Theatre teachers end up teaching another subject as well, typically English. However, this is not the case for me. My alma mater is a school of the arts. One of their theatre teachers was forced to resign. Another gets to retire in five years. In addition, I am interning there. It's nearly a guaranteed job if I want it. If not, I know a few other arts schools locally and other states. A slight risk, but the odds are very good. Anyway, yes, I can make a living teaching.

[MusicPos2]

Posted: 6/3/04 at 11:45am

I have several friends that teach in NYC, and they make the same as I do in the suburbs of DC. The thing is that my cost of living is about half. It's NOT 50k with a master's in NYC, it's $45 for new teachers. If you really want money, but you want to be close to the city, go to LI, their payscale is really high! I recommend education degrees to almost anyone. You never know what you will want to do with your life, and a degree in education lets you work in your subject, not just wait tables. Even if you are completely serious, I would do education. NYU has a wonderful Ed. Theatre degree through the School of Education--Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions. I would start there, if I were you.