2 answers
Amanda
Student
Dearborn Heights, Michigan
1
Question
Asked
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What is your biggest regret for choosing a degree in Early Child Education after seeing and understanding the changes that have been made in the education system in 2025 and the past years?
I am completing my associates in ECE and am planning on transferring to a 4-year college to get my bachelors. I just wanted to know how I know if this is the right degree I am pursuing. I love children and don't ever want to make my career about money or numbers, but with recent changes in the government/politics I think this is something to be considered when choosing a career field. I am afraid I may be choosing the wrong path even though it's my passion, but I also don't want to starve trying to make a difference.
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2 answers
Jerry Tingstad
Professor/middle school teacher/48 years
161
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
Start with Jen's answer.
Pursue your passion. Young people need people like you. They need passion.
Just choose the right school to teach in.
And politically, you live in a good state re your "political worries".
And perhaps you should visit a few schools and talk to willing teachers about their teaching experiences. Make an appointment, go to more than one school, preferably public and private, and with luck there will be some teachers willing to talk to you. Explain your concerns and and ask questions. With luck, you may even be invited to sit in on a class or two.
And again! Young people need teachers with a passion. Don't let anything stop you.
Pursue your passion. Young people need people like you. They need passion.
Just choose the right school to teach in.
And politically, you live in a good state re your "political worries".
And perhaps you should visit a few schools and talk to willing teachers about their teaching experiences. Make an appointment, go to more than one school, preferably public and private, and with luck there will be some teachers willing to talk to you. Explain your concerns and and ask questions. With luck, you may even be invited to sit in on a class or two.
And again! Young people need teachers with a passion. Don't let anything stop you.
Jen Tsonas
Retired
2
Answers
Indian Land, SC
Updated
Jen’s Answer
I always wanted to be a teacher and although I had a 30 year career in the hospitality industry I did eventually fulfill my dream to become a teacher and have a degree in Elementary Ed K-8. I do not regret anything about my teaching experience, I loved every day, but the field has changed a great deal due to government and state regulations as well as changes in philosophy, teaching strategies and policies.
You are right to take this all into consideration however our children desperately need devoted, passionate teachers who want to make a difference in the lives of our littlest learners. If you get your Bachelors and eventually a Masters you can make a salary that is liveable depending on where you choose to work however in all honestly you will struggle with the seemingly endless redtape, bureaucracy and administrative stuff that can truly be demoralizing when you want so desperately to help kids experience the joy of learning and not having to "teach to the test".
Society needs you Amanda. Kids need caring, supportive teachers with passion. You won't starve but you won't get rich...but you will experience the satisfaction of making a difference in the lives of children who desperately need teachers who care and are will ing to sacrifice to some degree to do so.
You are right to take this all into consideration however our children desperately need devoted, passionate teachers who want to make a difference in the lives of our littlest learners. If you get your Bachelors and eventually a Masters you can make a salary that is liveable depending on where you choose to work however in all honestly you will struggle with the seemingly endless redtape, bureaucracy and administrative stuff that can truly be demoralizing when you want so desperately to help kids experience the joy of learning and not having to "teach to the test".
Society needs you Amanda. Kids need caring, supportive teachers with passion. You won't starve but you won't get rich...but you will experience the satisfaction of making a difference in the lives of children who desperately need teachers who care and are will ing to sacrifice to some degree to do so.