Try applying to day cares and pre -schools as a supply teacher(this is usually a part-time position) You may also need an Early Childhood Education certificate if you want to teach kindergarten. You may be asked to submit a police check once you are working with kids.

About early graduation – its not for me to decide,only you can determine your priorities!

Check with your local school districts and also with the Head Start program about aide positions. I know Head Start is usually in need of people. I think a position as an aide would give you a chance to really see what it is to be a teacher. But make absolutely sure you graduate from high school. Be sure when you check into aide positions that you clearly state your age, because that may affect whether you can be hired for a position like that. But make absolutely sure you graduate from high school. Don’t drop out! I felt the same way you do and I graduated early because of it, so I know it can be done.

Ask yourself what will you gain from finishing early? And what will you lose (or miss out of experiencing) if you finish early? If you goal is to become an educator, then college needs to be your primary goal….will you begin studying the following semester (spring semester) so as to start at your university before next autumn? Would you be better off staying in high school, enjoying the events that happen at the end of the school year and taking the summer off before beginning college? If your plan is to get through college and get your degree in as short a time as possible, then maybe it would be advantageous to finish H.S. sooner and begin college asap.

As for getting a job as an aide (or even in a larger daycare where there will be preschool and kindergarten aged children), sure, why not? Experience is experience and it could give you a preview of what it will be like to teach our most precious asset as they begin the education. However, if your plan was to graduate early, then it’s likely you all ready applied and were accepted for the spring semester, yes/no? Can you still apply and being early?

Don’t be in a rush to make things happen quickly unless you’ve though it all out. Remember, once you begin your career you’ll have 30-35 years ahead of you working year after year after year….take time to enjoy you last year as a high school student, if possible. Even most teachers work summers in one capacity or another.

If you think you can test out and graduate early – Go for it!

But do not just drop out, please!! Seriously!

We tested our daughter out of 6th grade because she was miserable – for many of the same reasons – and she is doing great now. She had NO PROBLEMS in highschool or in college and is much much happier overall than if we had made her stay. Go to JC (many of them also have dance in various forms), transfer to a 4-year, and become the teacher you always wished you’d had. We need more dedicated teachers!!!!! Good luck!