I was, for sure, and still do. I'm not a teacher yet, but have been trying very hard to get hired as an art teacher. (Got my BFA and my teaching cert.) It's important to me to give of myself. The way you're feeling now is how I feel working most retail jobs.

[quote] I feel like I chose to pursue teaching because I was convinced it was the only practical career skill I possessed. I spend all day secluded in a classroom winging my way through math and English lessons. All of my students are significantly below grade level, most have terrible home lives, and many could care less about school or a relationship with me. Although my faculty and staff are wonderful, they haven't had much time to swing by and see how I'm doing. Most don't even know who I am or what I do at the school. I go home on the weekends and do everything I can to avoid work. In doing so, work is constantly on my mind. I procrastinate and don't spend much of my time socializing or getting familiar with my new home. I am the type of person who thrives in the presence of people. I feel loved when I am appreciated and in the spotlight (in a sense). Right now, I wake up dreading my day. I come home and cry because I feel miserable and unhappy with my career. Teaching is something I may be good at, but it is not fulfilling me. [/quote]

Is English what you want to teach? What if you could teach Biology since that's such an interest for you? Can you apply within your school to teach something else or do job hunting this spring/summer for different position? Is this your first year teaching? I hear that's the hardest one. How are you trying to dialogue with the kids? If they have shitty home lives they likely don't trust adults much at all. That's going to be an obstacle to befriending them, and it's not your fault. Same with the other teachers, they are just as busy as you and might not remember to look in on you, but I'm sure you would be welcome to visit them? Speak up if you're having trouble, they've all been through the same things I'm sure. Maybe some of them have had your kids before or the same kids and can let you know if there's anything they respond well to in their classes that you could carry over into your lesson differentiation? 

[quote]. I'm not meant to be a teacher, but now I don't know what to do. I've looked into summer internships working at aquariums and such, but reality clouds my vision. How am I going to afford my current lifestyle working in a minimum wage job? [/quote]

Well, you couldn't. You'd have to think about what in your lifestyle you are willing to change or give up. If you have a mortgage, you'll have to decide how you can cover that and what bills you can reduce or get rid of first.

To go back, if you don't get a scholarship then you'll also have to consider if you want student loans over your head to go back. Think hard on that, they're a pain. Mine are more than my car note.

I know here in Texas teachers have a portion of their pay deducted during the school year that is held and then paid out to them over the summer. If it works like that for you, I don't know how realistic this is but what if you were able to fly up to the school to take summer courses, and still teach during the school year? Just an idea. I don't know enough of your financial situation to really say what could be done.

[quote]Will I even get to do the things I want to with the animals given my educational background and experience? What will my family think if I pursue this?[/quote]

Does it really matter what your family thinks if you're this unhappy? You're an adult.