Help! TheEduKATor looking for a new job

[TheEduKATor]

Today was the straw that broke the teacher's back and I realized, it's time for change. I've been teaching for 5 years, and I know I've had enough.
It's not so much the the students as it is the administration or lack of administration. Ms. EduKATor and I changed schools this years thinking that getting out of the inner city would be a night and day difference, but it's not. I have a B.A. in Art Education, a supplement in computers, and a Master's in Education, making me a highly qualified teacher. However, I need to move to a job where my true passion lies, creating one of a kind art and custom designs. I've seen a few posts where people have been looking for new career opportunities... So if anyone out there knows of someone who is looking for a incredibly passionate employee with skills in any of the following areas: graphics, photoshop, automotive, boat, and custom bike renderings, concept drawings, tat designs, and some airbrushing skills let me know.
Here's just a few examples of some things I've done while I was supposed to be teaching.
Cat Rendering
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/55026instigatorlogo4***boat-med.jpg
Custom Bike Rendering
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550fuego34***boat.jpg
Original Graphic Rendering for The EduKATor
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550bigcommdraw4***boat-med.jpg
In progress T-Shirt Design for Upholstery Shop
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550mosew2-244***boat-med.jpg
AirBrushed skull and digitized in photoshop
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550orangeskull4***boat-med.jpg
Old School Pickle blended with New School Cat style
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550rnrinstigatorcattopyellow4***boat.jpg
Work in progress custom bike rendering
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550firebike4***boat.jpg
Tattoo design
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550bluecross4***boat.jpg

[mbrown2]

Ed,
Nice drawings, good luck finding a new gig in something you truly enjoy! :)

[Essex502]

If you're good at it try the Art Center School of Design. Pasadena I believe.

[MagicMtnDan]

I know a lady that started her own graphic design firm and it's taken some time but she's got a good flow of business coming in and she's her own boss.
It's not an easy path to success but I strongly suggest you consider it - you'll have to be part salesperson until you develop enough business for it to continue by word-of-mouth. Be sure to pursue work from companies - they always need graphic design since most companies are trying to keep costs low (it means they're going directly to printers and others with graphic designs that you can do). Talk to your friends and others (like those on this board) to get contacts at companies - once you get started with them and make them happy with your quality work delivered on-time you should be on a roll.
If you do it you'll feel very rewarded especially considering your experience with the education system. Good luck!

[SCUBA STEVE]

STOP.... Your going to give up your summers if you change jobs... :confused:
Hey good luck with the change, hopefully you'll find what your looking for. :cool:

[summerlove]

Have you already left? The best time to look for a new job is when you don't need one, so hang in there, those kids need you, and then when the perfect jobs opens, pop for it! Good luck, and nice pics!

[little rowe boat]

Wow those are nice!How about a tattoo artist. :cool:

[TheEduKATor]

I haven't left yet but that time is gonna come soon.
I teach Advance Art courses, 2&3-D design, commercial art, advertising art, and graphic arts. I've thought about the Art Center school of design, but when their representatives come into my classroom to talk to my art students, the reps ask if I would be interested in teaching courses at their college. They've asked me to give up my job to work for them so I don't know just how much I would learn by being a student at their school. I know the art center of design in Flordia has a marine design course but I don't know of any other ones in the state of CA. I've just completed my 10th year of college and paid off all my student loans looks like I might need to take out another one because those schools are exspensive.
I have thought about being a tattoo artist, I guess I would have to be an apprentice somewhere first. It couldn't be that bad, I've heard most good tattoo artist make $100 dollars an hour, I make $197 a day for 9 hours of work, and the job is not over when school is out.
Having summers off is good, and all holidays, spring break, etc, but I'd give it up in a heart beat, because even in those off days and months i'm still doing something that is school related.

[little rowe boat]

Some tattoo artists make good money.The upside is they like what they are doing. :cool:

[TheEduKATor]

True. I like what I do for the most part, however it's all the other drama outside of teaching that takes the fun away from it. Vandalized vehicles, personal property damage and theft, and those dope dealing gangster wannabe never gonna graduate I just want to take up a seat and flunk my life away students. Then I get the parents who think its my fault when their son or daughter get caughts by an administator for being under the influence of a controlled substance because I did not give the students a breathalizer or drug test when they came back in from a bathroom pass.
Before I took this new position I asked the interview panel of teachers, counselors, vice principals and principal how much they valued their visual and graphics arts program. They assured me it was top notch and they take it very serious since it is no longer an elective it is now a college requirement. Well I thought I stretched the truth in my interview but they stretched it a little further. Then when the shit hits the fan and you call on your boss to go to bat for you, you come to find out you have a Principal who's not your pal, and a whole lot more of other crap that comes with it.

[totenhosen]

TheEduKATor:
I've heard most good tattoo artist make $100 dollars an hour, When they are working! Otherwise they are sitting around doing nothing. Don't forget they don't get paid vacations, benefits etc.

[SBullet]

EduKator,
Sorry to hear that you are not enjoying your Job! You should try calling a recruiter!! Here is a couple of names:
Bob Ludwick 724-744-4949
Elizabeth Young 781-235-7700

[TheEduKATor]

Here's why I wouldn't mind doing tats. This is a design I did for a student.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550bluetattoo.jpg
But this is what it came out looking like when it was done at a local tattoo shop
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/55000_00082.jpg
Here are a couple more of my works
old helmet
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/55000_00001.jpg
old helmet new design, not clear coated yet
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550helmet1.jpg
Another automotive rendering
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550orangetruck.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550truckglow.jpg
Logo Design
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550mentalgrayprogressdonesmall.jpg

[TheEduKATor]

Benefits are good, but as long as I got Ms. EduKATor I can bum off of her benefits. She's a lifer in the education system.

[spectratoad]

Have you looked into the college systems? there may be something there without all the administrative teachers union bull. Or go to some advertising companies and see what they have for design areas. Good luck.

[TheEduKATor]

Did I mention I also do photography and develope my own film here are some pics
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550yemen4.jpg http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550yemen7.jpg http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550sd5.jpg http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550yemen8.jpg http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/550yemen1.jpg

[BIGTYME]

there was an ad in the cycle trader for i think a helmet painting company. they wanted 10k. in the back of the magazine was the ad

[burtandnancy]

You are very talented. Guys with less are painting boats at $20k to $60k with less. Sorry I picked on your bimini (another thread), but a parachute wouldn't slow you down more...

[LVjetboy]

I've known someone teaching a long, long time. Times change. Many kids now w/no respect and no fear of authority. Makes it hard for teachers. Hasn't always been that way wonder why? The public system now cows to the sensitive political correctness BS mantra...only faning the flames. Better that than admit they don't have the balls to enforce standards. Oh but the parents will sue. Will the public system turn around and demand respect and hard work for achievement?
Unlikely.
Didn't take much pressure from special interest to axe the voucher system. Just say no to competition.
Public education continues to created their own problems all the while passionately protecting the very system that encourages those problems.
Here's my solution. Dump public education. Send those snot-nosed gang wanna be rebels and future leaches on public welfare and tax $$ to hard labor camps cleaning up road and lake trash. If their parents are loosers, then at least the rest of the public who are responsible and work hard for their money can get some return for tax $$'s. If any are then motivated to better themselves thru education, give them a chance. If not, they can flip friken burgers or clean up graffiti for the rest of their lives for all I care.
Free handouts, low standards, and social promotion make for no respect.
jer
[ September 20, 2003, 02:49 AM: Message edited by: LVjetboy ]

[THOR]

dude, with those attributes and your educational background, check into community colleges.
go to higheredjobs.com
community college registry of california
chronicle.com
all of these will suit you fine.
Master + 4-6 years of experience should start you at 50K or so with the option to pick up more classes.
I am not talking out of my ass here. I taught at Auburn and UNLV in the past, but now work in the private sector.

[AzDon]

I doubt that it will be easy to find a teaching job during the school year. Lake Havasu School District would love to hire a teacher with your skills and credentials and many of our teachers teach classes at the local community college also. You won't make California money here, but an average house here is 150k to 200k. Vehicle registrations and insurance are much less and gangs and ethnicity are virtually non-existent issues. Havasu always ranks in the top five statewide in standardized testing.

[TheEduKATor]

Don't get me wrong, like I said it's not so much the students as it is the other stuff that comes along with the job. I've had many of my kids go on to Art Schools, or Major in Art in college and be successful at it. I think that's what keeps me going, knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of these students. Maybe not all of them but at least some and I guess that is all I can ask for.

[TheEduKATor]

AzDon,
I've thought about applying to the Lake Havasu School District more than once. I actually thought about it before I even finished the teaching program. I'm still young, only 27 I guess it coudn't hurt to apply to the district and see what could happen if not for this year maybe next year. Do you know if the high schools are on a year round or traditional schedule?

[PanteraInVentura]

EduKATor
Get out their with your portfolio and visit some agencies and join some business groups (chamber of commerce, trade groups, etc.) who may need your services, just be persistent you never know where your next job will come from. I know this from experience I am a freelance graphic designer and have been freelancing for almost ten years now and I also have gone through the California education system BS. I was a part time college instructor teaching graphic design and drawing, until I was layed off just last semester thanks to Mr. Davis. Thank god I had my freelance business which is doing well. As companies slim down they tend to look for people like myself (low overhead and talented). You are in an excellent position to become a freelancer with you talents and your wife's support, my wife is also a teacher with good insurance that takes care of me. The first couple years are the toughest but once you get a couple good clients under your belt they will return.
The future is created in your creative mind.
Good Luck!

[Doug H.]

I to left the education field due to the same reasons you did, students,parents,administration etc. i can go on and on. i got hurt at work while restraining another student, left for medical attn. and stayed out for almost 5yrs with multiple surgeries, while be out i was fired, there was no back bone or support from the district or union. i feel for ya edukator, that's why i gone and doing something else now. you have a wealth of talent no doubt, you will find in your heart what's best for you and then you will move in that direction, i know this, your going to be fine because of the type of person you are. stay up and continue teaching in what ever you do. :) :) :) :) :) :)

[AzDon]

Edukator-
elementary and middle schools are currently on the modified calendar and the high school is scheduled to go on it next year. It's 3 weeks off every 9 weeks and 6 weeks in the summer. As a lifestyle or work environment choice, I think you'd be more than pleased, but be warned, you'll probably find the wages shocking! Lower cost-of-living might help some, however we've had some big increases in property tax, water, and electricity, so full cost analysis is the best strategy!