katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,468 
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Post by katybee on Jun 17, 2024 23:00:38 GMT
Last March, I lost my teaching position at my school for the 2nd year in a row. Being a temporary teacher in CA can be tough. Turns out, someone ended up retiring and someone else is moving, so jobs opened up. HOWEVER, I have decided to take at least a year off from teaching, anyway. I have decided (with a lot of support from my family) to try my TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers) gig full time. Which is crazy and scary, but super exciting. It’s my brother who really pushed me into it. He looked at my sales over the last few years, with me making almost ZERO effort, and figured out that if I treated it like a full time job, I could make up my income and more. He is VERY conservative when it comes to things like this, and he really thinks I should try it.
I have my summer pay, and in addition, we got a 12% raise, retroactive for the year, and then a one time 12% bonus. So, I have income for the next 4 months. I also have a healthy savings, but I don’t want to touch that, unless I have to. My brother has offered to help me if I need it…. I hope I don’t! I can also sub or tutor to make extra income.
So it might be crazy, but I believe in myself. And I like the idea of being my own boss. So today is the first day of my new job! I’ll keep you posted on whether I make it or am an utter failure!
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Post by KiwiJo on Jun 17, 2024 23:08:36 GMT
OMG - you are part of Teachers Pay Teachers?!! I have purchased some of their stuff over the years, for when I’m babysitting my grandsons (I’m not teacher). What’s your part in it!
Oh, and congratulations on it becoming your full-time thing. It sounds like a real opportunity to branch out, and something that will enhance your resume when/if you go back to teaching.
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Post by Lurkingpea on Jun 17, 2024 23:21:01 GMT
That is great about your TPT. I keep thinking of getting in on that but not sure where to start.
Do you mind sharing your link? I wonder if I have bought stuff from you. I think you taught first grade?
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mimima
Drama Llama
Stay Gold, Ponyboy
Posts: 5,104
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Post by mimima on Jun 17, 2024 23:23:40 GMT
Good for you! May it be blessed
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Post by leannec on Jun 17, 2024 23:30:19 GMT
That is awesome!
I recently retired from teaching because I was basically forced out ... long story!
I substitute a few days a week and it is really great! Add that income to my pension and I am happy!
I hope your new gig is as rewarding for you!
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Jun 17, 2024 23:33:24 GMT
Good for you for having the courage to take this chance. I’m sure you’ll be great. I’m not a teacher but have always loved the THT site and concept. I have a couple teacher friends who have purchased items and been very happy.
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Post by AussieMeg on Jun 17, 2024 23:55:49 GMT
I have never heard of Teachers Pay Teachers, and have no idea what it is (I will google in a minute). I wish you all the best, and hope it's really successful for you.
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,421
Location: Dallas Texas
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Post by SabrinaP on Jun 17, 2024 23:58:01 GMT
You can do it!!! Get out there and create and promote all the awesome stuff you create.
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,297
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Post by pantsonfire on Jun 18, 2024 0:03:47 GMT
Have you looked at how this could effect your retirement pension?
If I were you I would sub in your current district as well as surrounding districts.
Here in my area several districts the subs are union. It also keeps you known within the district which could help at hiring time.
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anaterra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,134
Location: Texas
Jun 29, 2014 3:04:02 GMT
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Post by anaterra on Jun 18, 2024 0:12:43 GMT
Good luck!!! Sending you all the good juju... i hope it works out for you
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Post by natscraps on Jun 18, 2024 0:37:16 GMT
What’s your TPT seller name? I’m always buying stuff from there and would love to check out your store!
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,887
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jun 18, 2024 0:57:02 GMT
Have you looked at how this could effect your retirement pension? If I were you I would sub in your current district as well as surrounding districts. Here in my area several districts the subs are union. It also keeps you known within the district which could help at hiring time. Yep. In CA I’m not sure if subs are union or if they pay into retirement. I subbed for a year many years ago before becoming a classroom teacher. I’d be worried about healthcare personally. |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jun 18, 2024 1:00:33 GMT
There’s a lot of fun stuff on TPT! I wish you much success! The big key to being successful with anything freelance is to make a schedule for yourself that you commit to sticking to, and have an office or studio that’s a dedicated space for working. I work from home and it’s so easy to get distracted and sidetracked. It was a whole lot easier to stay on task before I had my kid.
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Post by deafpea on Jun 18, 2024 1:03:09 GMT
Good for you! If you feel comfortable, please share your TPT store. I'd love to check it out!
Best wishes that this new direction will give you all that you want!
Merilee
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Post by chaosisapony on Jun 18, 2024 1:20:25 GMT
That's so exciting and such a big leap to take. Best of luck to you!
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katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,468
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Post by katybee on Jun 18, 2024 1:25:43 GMT
Have you looked at how this could effect your retirement pension? If I were you I would sub in your current district as well as surrounding districts. Here in my area several districts the subs are union. It also keeps you known within the district which could help at hiring time. I only taught in CA for 2 years. So I am not vested. I am leaving my money in for now, as I may go back to teaching in a year. I taught for 18 years in TX and am vested. I’m definitely leaving that there for now. I’m going to meet with a financial planner (he’s in TX and is very knowledgeable in TRS) to figure out what to do long term. Subs are not in the union in any of the districts around here. And I do plan on subbing some, but not a lot. |
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katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,468
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Post by katybee on Jun 18, 2024 1:28:21 GMT
Have you looked at how this could effect your retirement pension? If I were you I would sub in your current district as well as surrounding districts. Here in my area several districts the subs are union. It also keeps you known within the district which could help at hiring time. Yep. In CA I’m not sure if subs are union or if they pay into retirement. I subbed for a year many years ago before becoming a classroom teacher. I’d be worried about healthcare personally. I’m going to get insurance through the marketplace. I still have 2 months until I need to do that. I’ve been looking at plans, and they don’t look any worse than what I have now ($3,000 deductible). My brother has Blue Cross Anthem through the marketplace and hasn’t had any problems. |
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paget
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,120
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Jun 18, 2024 1:31:05 GMT
That is really exciting! Best of luck to you - looking forward to hearing how it goes for you.
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katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,468
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Post by katybee on Jun 18, 2024 1:33:38 GMT
Good for you! If you feel comfortable, please share your TPT store. I'd love to check it out! Best wishes that this new direction will give you all that you want! Merilee My TPT store is www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/kindergarten-kindergartenI haven’t updated it in years, but am working hard and am relaunching this week. I have a good following (5,000) and have 9,000 followers on IG. I’m doing all the things. I’m super excited, so we’ll see how it goes! |
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katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,468
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Post by katybee on Jun 18, 2024 1:34:26 GMT
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katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,468
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Post by katybee on Jun 18, 2024 1:35:16 GMT
That is great about your TPT. I keep thinking of getting in on that but not sure where to start. Do you mind sharing your link? I wonder if I have bought stuff from you. I think you taught first grade? I taught kindergarten. Here’s my link…. www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/kindergarten-kindergarten |
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Post by Merge on Jun 18, 2024 1:43:12 GMT
That’s great! TpT is often such a great resource. I continue to use music theory worksheets I’ve purchased there in my private studio.
I hope you make a killing!
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Post by cmpeter on Jun 18, 2024 1:54:32 GMT
Yay for you! Sounds like you've put the right amount of thought into it. Go you!
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peasquared
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,768
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Post by peasquared on Jun 18, 2024 2:13:32 GMT
My DD was a first-grade teacher. She used TPT all the time. I wish you all the success in the world on your new venture!
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kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,598
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
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Post by kate on Jun 18, 2024 2:21:56 GMT
I love TpT! Hope you do great! Some schools don't allow their teachers to sell while they are working - the rationale is that the school "owns" anything you create for students while you're working for that school.  Just something to keep in mind if you decide to go back to the classroom f/t at some point. |
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,811
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Post by ellen on Jun 18, 2024 2:33:06 GMT
Good luck with with this. I used TPT when I was teaching. I had one art teacher that I bought many things from over a period of years. You have a great following. I retired from teaching a year ago. I decided that since I was used to teaching full time that I could probably handle subbing a day a week. Well, I ended up subbing 61 days during the school year. I thought it was easy compared to full time teaching and I liked having steady cash flow coming in. Once you bump up your store inventory, you might want to sub a day or more a week just to have a reliable source of money. That still leaves you time to work on your store.
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Post by flanz on Jun 18, 2024 4:32:40 GMT
This sounds like a very exciting chapter for you, Katy! I predict great things!!!
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Post by mollycoddle on Jun 18, 2024 11:08:47 GMT
Have you looked at how this could effect your retirement pension? If I were you I would sub in your current district as well as surrounding districts. Here in my area several districts the subs are union. It also keeps you known within the district which could help at hiring time. This. Just in case you change your mind or something opens up that you want. |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jun 18, 2024 11:51:04 GMT
It sounds like an opportunity you are really excited about. I wish you well with it!
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Post by mikklynn on Jun 18, 2024 13:26:43 GMT
I love how supportive your brother is. That's amazing.
You go, girl! I love this plan.
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