Taaffe Pipes:  

ouldn't get a job in Rosamond or the AV. My first job was at a Dairy Queen in Portland, OR. Such fun I had at that job. Then I worked at Cool Temptations a yogurt shop at the airport. Then US Bank, Toys R Us, and First American. Finally, I got a teaching fellowship in L.A. so I packed up and came back to California with my last paycheck and the promise of $2000 at the end of 6 weeks. I did my student teaching and got hired at the school I'm at currently. I was looking to teach elementary but the program I was in was looking for special ed, math, and science teachers...I guess there's no shortages in general education at the elementary level. So I took the special ed route and am happy with my choice. I currently teach at a high school, my student have mental retardation so they're like little kids in grown bodies. I seriously second guessed my decision during the first year, I was completely stressed out and constantly tired. But now I'm on my third year and thank God things have gotten easier. I have to admit I love the feeling of having a career. I love what I do for a living and although teachers are underpaid for what we do and are responsible for, I'm getting paid a lot better than I did at any job I had.