Because it is NYC after all, faculty at community colleges generally have at least a master’s. The department heads have doctoral degrees usually. You must have at least a BA to teach at a community college.

Go to cuny.edu. In NYC, this is proabably the cheapest way to get a real (and traditional) associate. The colleges will work with you to get you the info you need to apply. You will have to take math in college because of general ed requirements, but you are probably not beyond help no matter what you think right now. The gen ed math is really easy, and if you don’t find it so there are tutors and other resources at the colleges. It isn’t like high school, you are in charge of your own life.

I waited tables in college- have you considered this? (Not an insult, that’s what I did). I made more doing that than I did teaching. It was easier, too, and in your off time you can really focus on your craft and getting auditions instead of writing lesson plans.