Profile For Teacher?

Xnihilo from Phelan East of Hesperia wants to know

So Errol, why did you bail from the teaching gig? Pay's not too bad, and of course you can't beat the benefits and time off. Just got fed up with The System?

Pressure from the administration, but mainly kids who don't want to be in school. I resigned a year ago, right before Thanksgiving.

That's exactly why I want out NOW! I teach in what I would call THE greatest district on earth... even there the kids are getting more and more lazy and "babified" every year... They could care less about their education and their parents have no control but expect us to whip them into shape but not make the kids have consequences for their behavior! It's a scary thing when you think about the generations coming up... future does not look bright for MANY of them!

Teacher gets ducks in a row:

OK! I have plenty of time to put this into play (other than I am ready to go... TODAY!)... I found a university near me that does an 8 week course. Cost is just under $3,000. I can take the first section, $800+,, which is the CDL written section and SOME drive time. Then after that is over I have 12 months to complete the rest of it. I'm thinking take the first part this summer, teach one more year, do a little practicing in some farm trucks around here (I know there is no comparison but at least I wouldn't be going in totally GREEN to big rigs) and take the remainder of the course next summer and hit the road with my hubby!

How do you feel about this plan? Honestly? Do you feel this would be sufficient instead of a company based school? I'm thinking I want to be SURE I can handle all of this before I commit to a company...

You can get the CDL permit ("written section") at no charge here! Just follow this: High Road Training Program. Teacher to teacher, this is a magnificent self study plan that modifies itself according to your own responses. This makes the CDL permit test a piece of cake. An equal to Khan Academy. That gives you more time in the truck at school - the time you have to pay for.

Farm trucks (the semi-truck-trailer variety) are just the same as the ones that go OTR. There are slightly more liberal rules about them, but learn and practice there, so when it's showtime, you'll be ready.

Thank you! You have made my day!

Thank you! So rather than retire just stop working for my district, take the school and training, and hit the road... I can see that working. Then later take my retirement benefits from the teacher retirement... and keep on working!

You know when you start getting your retirement payments, and how to maximize them. That's when you can put this plan into effect. But through trucking school, you probably won't get paid, and your road training is a minimum payment (not minimum wage). I didn't get my first Swift paycheck for almost 3 months from when I started the school. So stay on the school payroll during the summer and do your school and training then.

OK! I have plenty of time to put this into play (other than I am ready to go... TODAY!)... I found a university near me that does an 8 week course. Cost is just under $3,000. I can take the first section, $800+,, which is the CDL written section and SOME drive time. Then after that is over I have 12 months to complete the rest of it. I'm thinking take the first part this summer, teach one more year, do a little practicing in some farm trucks around here (I know there is no comparison but at least I wouldn't be going in totally GREEN to big rigs) and take the remainder of the course next summer and hit the road with my hubby!

How do you feel about this plan? Honestly? Do you feel this would be sufficient instead of a company based school? I'm thinking I want to be SURE I can handle all of this before I commit to a company...

Teacher is ready to jump:

I am a public school teacher. I have 7 years before I am eligible for my full retirement benefits. My husband and I have discussed team driving in the near future. I guess my main question is, could I take the training and work only summers and possibly weekend runs until my full retirement? Would that be acceptable to a company school? Any info will be appreciated.

You get the drift that "seasonal" is not a term used for truck driver employment. Depending where you live, you may be able to train and get an agricultural driving job. Then later step into the larger OTR companies. But the national big dogs aren't interested in seasonal or part times.

I taught for over ten years before I jumped. I did not retire, so here's a game plan that will work: Depending on your state and your district, your school paycheck and benefits should continue till August. Plan that you start truck driver school as soon after you clean out your room as possible - maybe early June. That gives you three months of teacher salary to cover your non-employed school and your first few months of low income on the road.

Thank you! So rather than retire just stop working for my district, take the school and training, and hit the road... I can see that working. Then later take my retirement benefits from the teacher retirement... and keep on working!

Thanks for the responses. Looks like I need to focus on finishing my couple of years as a teacher and study up on the "trucker" world as well.

Youll just need to retest ofton,once you have a cdl,just need to jump through hoops,for each company.

So it would be something I could do then? Is that what you are telling me?

I am a public school teacher. I have 7 years before I am eligible for my full retirement benefits. My husband and I have discussed team driving in the near future. I guess my main question is, could I take the training and work only summers and possibly weekend runs until my full retirement? Would that be acceptable to a company school? Any info will be appreciated.