I went to the local tech college for my autos degree, paid every cent. Was a mechanic and while working at the dealership I became the 'trainer' for all the new quick-lane guys and any 'fresh' mechanics. Got me thinking that there had to be more out there so I made the decision to go back to school and become a teacher. Worked full time as well as several side jobs while in school and still have about $30k loan debt. I've taught now for 5 years in 3 different districts (1st district was just getting a teaching job, 2nd was moving back to WI, 3rd was moving back to hometown area). Wisconsin's educational system is changing and I feel sometimes I spend more time with creating paperwork justifying why I'm teaching than actually teaching my students. I'm currently working in a department of 4 and we're all 29-34 years old, been teaching 2-6 years and have industry experience. Lately we've all been tossing around the ideas of heading back to industry because what the system is becoming is not what we went to school for.
Meanwhile my wife graduated with a teaching degree in broad-field history 4 years ago and since she didn't have any minor certs she still hasn't found a teaching job. She has about $45k loan debt. I'm starting to believe we'll never own our own home...