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[math1abee]

I'm unsure if this is the place in which I should seek advice but I'm extremely stressed out over what I should do. 

I'm currently a middle school math teacher, and while I do like my job, I'm unsure if it's what i want to do permanently. I have a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies K-8 because, until I took Calculus 1, I was unaware of my passion for mathematics. Once I took it however; it was to late to change my major. Now I'm stuck with a B.A. in education with no specialization while I truly desire a B.S. in Mathematics or Mathematics Education.

I'm now looking into taking more math classes (calc II, III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, etc) but don't know if I should. While I love algebra I, algebra II, and calculus I don't think I want to teach it to high school students; therefore, my other option would be to teach at a community college or stay in middle grades. However, with a masters I would only be qualified to teach community college and I would make the equivalent, if not less, than what I make now. On the other hand it would be unnecessary for me to take all of those upper level mathematics classes to remain in middle grades education. Ultimately I'm more than perplexed, it's more like ridiculously frustrated. I have no idea which avenue to pursue. I also don't want to go into the private sector in mathematics, and I'm not sure if I even could for a lack of a competitive degree.

Therefore, as I see it I have two options, get a masters in middle grades mathematics and stay in middle grades education or take additional mathematics classes and obtain a masters in mathematics education to potentially teach high school and/or community college while later trying to pursue a doctorate to try and teach at a university.

I apologize for this post as I don't know if there are any answers, I suppose I'm just hoping for some advice.

[untenured]

You might get some help, but as you know this forum is largely populated by college level faculty.

I wish I could be of more assistance.

[zharkov]

In the part of the country where I live, you need grad credits, ideally an MEd, to teach K12 with a full license, so are you working on an MEd now?  In any case, to teach at a CC, you really need an MA in math (not an MEd nor a degree in math ed), ideally you should have a doctorate.

[_touchedbyanoodle_]

Calc I isn't very far into the study of mathematics. I suggest taking Calc II & III as a non-degree seeking student  and see if your passion sustains itself. If it does, you are two steps closer to having the prereqs for a master's level math program (math, not math ed), which would be the eventual step you need to take.

[mathy]

I suggest taking Calc II & III as a non-degree seeking student  and see if your passion sustains itself.

This, except instead of Calc III I suggest taking a proofs course.  Calculus is quite different from most courses in the math major and a proofs course will give you a better flavor for what to expect in an undergrad math major.

I also think what you should do depends on the expense of this path.  If you enjoy learning the material and it doesn't cost you much then so what if you remain a middle school math teacher?  You have enriched your life for the learning and perhaps have improved your teaching by putting yourself in your students' shoes for a bit.  I wouldn't pay the cost of a an entire undergrad BA though unless you expect some kind of return on that investment.