I'm going to break down the cost of becoming a licensed teacher in this post. Now this doesn't include the cost of teacher's college or living expenses or anything like that.. just the fees they steal from you..
Graduation - $30
OCT Application - $140
OCT Membership - $135/year
Transcripts - $50 (ish)
Police Record Checks - $40 (ish)
Fee to apply - $12/board
Professional Portfolio - $100-$150 (depending on how nice you decide to go)
Fluency Tests - $150
Travel for interviews - $50/interview
A lot of these things (portfolio, interview costs, etc.) are standard for pretty much all jobs. Even membership fees are pretty normal. I'm not upset I have to pay these things. I'm upset I have to pay them all at once.. GOODBYE hard earned $$
Side note: I unbelievingly will probably get through the year with very little extra added to the credit cards. $1000 for wisdom teeth (unavoidable) and about $500 in car maintenance for the entire year. I don't like that I used credit but in all honesty I'm okay with having put that $1500 on them.. Impacted wisdom tooth infection round two has been avoided and I feel safe driving my car!
Granted as my next post will explain, I did have to rob myself. No fun!
Stay positive!!
Jenny~Z
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Oh the professional life
Today I attended a presentation. An hour and a half spent sitting on uncomfortable bleachers listening to what boils down to little more than a sales pitch... What did I get from it? A headache! SERIOUSLY, they (the powers that be..) made it sound as if the presentation was mandatory and promised it would be full of invaluable information. I'm sorry but explaining to me why my I have to pay my membership fees (answer: to pay the salary of the presenters) and showing me videos available on YouTube.. not that valuable!
Today, I also spent $50 on a conference. I'm very excited about this conference as it is on multiliteracy in todays schools! The conference isn't until the end of March but I'm very excited non the less..
And then today I learned about another conference. This one is called Reading: For the love of it. It's an annual conference in Toronto and it is HUGE!!! The only problem is that its during my practicum. So I've emailed my associate teacher asking how she feels about me missing a day. Hopefully, she's okay with it and I can immerse myself in such a great opportunity for the day!
Finally, this morning I officially made the decision to start applying for full-time contract teaching jobs this year. I do enjoy working as a server but do I really want to continue struggling to pay my bills or do I want to start my life? I won't be upset if I don't get a contract next year but why should I wait? So I have three school boards that I will be applying for. Two of which are French positions and I'm very very excited about the possibility of starting my career immediately!
So today has obviously been an extremely great day in my professional development!
Happy Friday!!
Jenny~z
Today, I also spent $50 on a conference. I'm very excited about this conference as it is on multiliteracy in todays schools! The conference isn't until the end of March but I'm very excited non the less..
And then today I learned about another conference. This one is called Reading: For the love of it. It's an annual conference in Toronto and it is HUGE!!! The only problem is that its during my practicum. So I've emailed my associate teacher asking how she feels about me missing a day. Hopefully, she's okay with it and I can immerse myself in such a great opportunity for the day!
Finally, this morning I officially made the decision to start applying for full-time contract teaching jobs this year. I do enjoy working as a server but do I really want to continue struggling to pay my bills or do I want to start my life? I won't be upset if I don't get a contract next year but why should I wait? So I have three school boards that I will be applying for. Two of which are French positions and I'm very very excited about the possibility of starting my career immediately!
So today has obviously been an extremely great day in my professional development!
Happy Friday!!
Jenny~z
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Time to Refresh
I was feeling pretty blaaah in my apartment for the past few days.. I really wanted buy some new pillows or a shelf or something, that's what I did last year when I felt this way. But I'm soooooo broke!!!
So instead I headed to the dollar store.. Good ol' Dollarama! I found some wall decals.. and for three dollars I have added the new pizzazz I was looking for! I also moved my bed, dresser and desk around. Lastly, I decluttered a bit. And I am so pleased with the results!
Point of the post is that I realized how refreshing moving furniture and decluttering can be. It changes everything and thus, I'm excited about my apartment again!!
Pump it up!!
Jenny~Z
So instead I headed to the dollar store.. Good ol' Dollarama! I found some wall decals.. and for three dollars I have added the new pizzazz I was looking for! I also moved my bed, dresser and desk around. Lastly, I decluttered a bit. And I am so pleased with the results!
Point of the post is that I realized how refreshing moving furniture and decluttering can be. It changes everything and thus, I'm excited about my apartment again!!
Pump it up!!
Jenny~Z
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Pain
Christmas Eve was destroyed for me this year, as was Christmas day, Boxing Day and the following day... All thanks to my Wisdom Teeth... AGGGHHH
When I was 16 my orthodontist told me to get them out... but I didn't.
Then when I moved to Ottawa my dentist took a "wait and see what happens approach" which was going well until I couldn't open my mouth on Christmas day (thank you infected, impacted tooth #48)... kinda ruins the happy family turkey meal ideal..
So when I got back here for school, I immediately found an oral surgeon and booked my appointment to get them out. It all happened pretty quickly, within a week they were out.
I'm actually recovering fairly well. My surgery was yesterday at 11am and I was able to make it to school today and I'm in almost not pain. Just my lower right jaw hurts. But I'm sticking to Advil for now and they are doing me just fine.. . Advil and my trusty friend Mr. Icepack who is glued to my face. I'm hoping the swelling stays down and that I get a good night's sleep tonight. Because last night I tossed and turned, it was brutal.
Finances of Wisdom Tooth Removal
When I originally called for the appointment I was quoted $1900 for all four wisdom teeth. Then, at my consultation I was quoted $1600. Yesterday, after the surgery was complete, I was only charged $1100. I don't know if my insurance will cover it. I sure hope so, but even so I feel like I've already been given $800 back!
Its always nice to be excessively over quoted in situations like this. Could you imagine if I had been quoted $1100 and it ended up being $1900?? I wouldn't have handled that well at all! So my credit card took another hit but at least it all went well :D
On the note of my credit card, I figured that getting a basic teaching contract, making 50K/year I can have my debt paid off in 3 years and a sizeable down payment saved in 5 years. This makes me happy. Even though this year has been tough when it come to finances, I know I only have to make it through a few more months and then I'll be able chip away at the debt instead of piling even more on it!
Jenny~Z
When I was 16 my orthodontist told me to get them out... but I didn't.
Then when I moved to Ottawa my dentist took a "wait and see what happens approach" which was going well until I couldn't open my mouth on Christmas day (thank you infected, impacted tooth #48)... kinda ruins the happy family turkey meal ideal..
So when I got back here for school, I immediately found an oral surgeon and booked my appointment to get them out. It all happened pretty quickly, within a week they were out.
I'm actually recovering fairly well. My surgery was yesterday at 11am and I was able to make it to school today and I'm in almost not pain. Just my lower right jaw hurts. But I'm sticking to Advil for now and they are doing me just fine.. . Advil and my trusty friend Mr. Icepack who is glued to my face. I'm hoping the swelling stays down and that I get a good night's sleep tonight. Because last night I tossed and turned, it was brutal.
Finances of Wisdom Tooth Removal
When I originally called for the appointment I was quoted $1900 for all four wisdom teeth. Then, at my consultation I was quoted $1600. Yesterday, after the surgery was complete, I was only charged $1100. I don't know if my insurance will cover it. I sure hope so, but even so I feel like I've already been given $800 back!
Its always nice to be excessively over quoted in situations like this. Could you imagine if I had been quoted $1100 and it ended up being $1900?? I wouldn't have handled that well at all! So my credit card took another hit but at least it all went well :D
On the note of my credit card, I figured that getting a basic teaching contract, making 50K/year I can have my debt paid off in 3 years and a sizeable down payment saved in 5 years. This makes me happy. Even though this year has been tough when it come to finances, I know I only have to make it through a few more months and then I'll be able chip away at the debt instead of piling even more on it!
Jenny~Z
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Goals...?
I was at a workshop today with some colleagues and we got on the discussion of New Years resolutions and goals. A blogging acquaintance recently posted her 5 "resolution goals" and a few people at the workshop stated having various goals for 2012. One girl even said she had TWELVE goals for the year... TWELVE?!?! I didn't ask but maybe she has one for each month.. I don't know..
But it got me thinking. Maybe I should make some actual goals for the year...
Goal #1 - Make some goals
Clearly I'm not very good at this so instead I'm just going to list what I see happening this year and over the next month or so I will try to develop more concrete goals.
Teacher's College/Placement
Keep on top of/ahead of schedule with assignments
Complete some more technology workshops
Get more involved at my next placement school
Keep in contact with professors from Fall Semester.
Career:
Graduate teacher's college
Get a joke of a job [or two] that pay(s) ridiculously well for the summer
Apply to OCDSB's supply list for September.
Take some additional qualifications to improve my chances at getting a job.
Financially:
Pay off debt: pay off the credit cards and start chipping away at my student debt
Build up my savings: bills account, emergency savings, retirement savings.
Save money for a trip to Africa with my dad early 2013
Start saving for a house??
Personal:
Get involved in hiking or rock climbing or a volleyball team (some kind of group activity...)
Expand my cooking repertoire. Maybe take a cooking class?
Improve my professional wardrobe.
Practice speaking French more often!
Upgrade my home decor from student to young professional.
So that's what I see happening in my life for the next 12 months. A little bit of direction... :D
Jenny~Z
But it got me thinking. Maybe I should make some actual goals for the year...
Goal #1 - Make some goals
Clearly I'm not very good at this so instead I'm just going to list what I see happening this year and over the next month or so I will try to develop more concrete goals.
Teacher's College/Placement
Keep on top of/ahead of schedule with assignments
Complete some more technology workshops
Get more involved at my next placement school
Keep in contact with professors from Fall Semester.
Career:
Graduate teacher's college
Get a joke of a job [or two] that pay(s) ridiculously well for the summer
Apply to OCDSB's supply list for September.
Take some additional qualifications to improve my chances at getting a job.
Financially:
Pay off debt: pay off the credit cards and start chipping away at my student debt
Build up my savings: bills account, emergency savings, retirement savings.
Save money for a trip to Africa with my dad early 2013
Start saving for a house??
Personal:
Get involved in hiking or rock climbing or a volleyball team (some kind of group activity...)
Expand my cooking repertoire. Maybe take a cooking class?
Improve my professional wardrobe.
Practice speaking French more often!
Upgrade my home decor from student to young professional.
So that's what I see happening in my life for the next 12 months. A little bit of direction... :D
Jenny~Z
Friday, January 6, 2012
Resolutions
A few years ago I stumbled upon some resolution gems. They absolutely changed my life and I still try to live by them now...
1. Shun mediocrity - to me this means don't accept just to accept it. Just okay isn't enough. Always do your best and always expect the best from others.
2. Practice Gratitude - be thankful for family and friends. Be thankful for the things you have and the opportunities that arise. Be thankful towards others for what they do for you.
3. Be less selfish - this is the most important thing. Its important to always think of others before yourself. Be kind and thoughtful. Be there for people when they need you!
So as 2012 has begun, I remind myself of these important concepts and retake my vow to myself to continue living by them for the coming year!
1. Shun mediocrity - to me this means don't accept just to accept it. Just okay isn't enough. Always do your best and always expect the best from others.
2. Practice Gratitude - be thankful for family and friends. Be thankful for the things you have and the opportunities that arise. Be thankful towards others for what they do for you.
3. Be less selfish - this is the most important thing. Its important to always think of others before yourself. Be kind and thoughtful. Be there for people when they need you!
So as 2012 has begun, I remind myself of these important concepts and retake my vow to myself to continue living by them for the coming year!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Financial Update
Hi there,
So its the beginning of a new year so I thought I'd update you on my finances :D And I started off with a list of my debts and my month expenses and then added my school expenses and started to detail the money I have on hand but then realized its too depressing. I have about $50k in debt on 3 credit cards, a line of credit and a student loan. All of which are too close to being maxed out than I am comfortable with. I have enough money from OSAP this semester to cover my tuition and rent. That leaves me with about $1000 in the bank that I made over the holidays for everything else... food, gas, cell phone, insurance, credit card payments. And let me tell you $1000 is very unlikely to get me through 4 months of these expenses.
So I'm banking on my tax refund. I only worked about 8 months of the year. And didn't work a lot of hours due to school and what not but I always have them take off a bit of extra money to ensure that I'll get something back... plus I'm a student so I'm basically guaranteed a nice refund.
If not, I thankfully have a few options.
1. Max out my credit cards. I have about $2500 of available credit that I could potentially use
2. Cash in my RRSPs. I really wouldn't enjoy this but I could do it without penalty since its for school.
3. Ask my parents/grandparents/family. I don't really feel comfortable with this due to the financial situation of my family but if it comes down to it then a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
I hate the idea of going further into debt but I also see it as a temporary situation. Once summer comes I plan of getting two jobs and working my butt off. I will hopefully also score a supply teaching position for September. I'm really trying to not worry about money right now but its tough.
Side note: for those of you who are wondering why I don't have a job.. I do, I work 3hrs/week at my school. Aside from that work it would be extremely difficult to get a job with my class and placement schedule as I'm only in town for a few weeks at a time.
Anywho thats all for now,
Jenny~Z
So its the beginning of a new year so I thought I'd update you on my finances :D And I started off with a list of my debts and my month expenses and then added my school expenses and started to detail the money I have on hand but then realized its too depressing. I have about $50k in debt on 3 credit cards, a line of credit and a student loan. All of which are too close to being maxed out than I am comfortable with. I have enough money from OSAP this semester to cover my tuition and rent. That leaves me with about $1000 in the bank that I made over the holidays for everything else... food, gas, cell phone, insurance, credit card payments. And let me tell you $1000 is very unlikely to get me through 4 months of these expenses.
So I'm banking on my tax refund. I only worked about 8 months of the year. And didn't work a lot of hours due to school and what not but I always have them take off a bit of extra money to ensure that I'll get something back... plus I'm a student so I'm basically guaranteed a nice refund.
If not, I thankfully have a few options.
1. Max out my credit cards. I have about $2500 of available credit that I could potentially use
2. Cash in my RRSPs. I really wouldn't enjoy this but I could do it without penalty since its for school.
3. Ask my parents/grandparents/family. I don't really feel comfortable with this due to the financial situation of my family but if it comes down to it then a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
I hate the idea of going further into debt but I also see it as a temporary situation. Once summer comes I plan of getting two jobs and working my butt off. I will hopefully also score a supply teaching position for September. I'm really trying to not worry about money right now but its tough.
Side note: for those of you who are wondering why I don't have a job.. I do, I work 3hrs/week at my school. Aside from that work it would be extremely difficult to get a job with my class and placement schedule as I'm only in town for a few weeks at a time.
Anywho thats all for now,
Jenny~Z
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