From August 30, 2007

For those that don't know yet, Joshua moved to Texas two weeks ago. He is enrolled in a teacher certification program and will be pursuing a career as a social studies teacher. Fortunately, in Texas you can begin teaching with just a Bachelor's Degree (plus having passing scores on the content exam). In only 1 school year he will have his certification and will be fully qualified for teaching, though if he is fortunate he could begin his teaching career before he completes his certification.

Here in Virginia it's absurd. First of all you can't begin teaching until you have met all of their ridiculous requirements. They wanted him to go to Thomas Nelson for a year to do more undergraduate courses then 2 years at CNU for his masters degree, plus an unpaid internship in which he wasn't allowed to hold other employment. So basically he would've been looking at going an additional $10,000 - $20,000 into debt just to begin working as a teacher 3 years from now earning a mere $38,000 a year. Not a logical plan for anyone, but especially for a 25 year old man planning to get married and raise a family.

However, once he is a teacher in Texas the school system will pay for his tuition as he earns his masters degree, the pay starts off better than in Virginia and has regular raises, and there are discounts on rent or a mortgage for teachers! Not to forget the cost of living in Texas is so much lower than Virginia. So if anyone is wondering why he moved so far away it's all in the numbers. This was the best career move he could make!

As far as our engagement, we are waiting until he gets his own apartment to set the wedding date. We will be getting married in Washington D.C. then the reception will be held in Poquoson. After we are married I will move down to Texas with him.

...but I miss him terribly right now!