I am also a teacher and wish I could see a clear way to at least re-direct my career. I would love to move out of the classroom and into science curriculum work or some kind of environmental field (I also have my MS in Ecology) but I don't see a way clear to do that. I accumulated the 80 points (age plus years of service) to retire last year. I took advantage of an opportunity to officially "retire" and get my pension, but continue working and get paid by a contractor. The company takes 10%. So I am getting a paycheck and the pension and am hoping to get all of our debts paid in the next 2-3 years. We have erased all of our credit card debt and expect to pay off the car in January or February. Then it's just the house....

I wish my district would consider a science curriculum position but they are just focused on math and reading because that is where the state testing is focused. Maybe if Arizona adopts the Next Generation Science Standards.....

Crankin- I am nowhere near 70k here after 23 years in the classroom. We can earn money for extra curricular activities and home visits to students, which adds a little (about $2500 this year I think).

But actual retirement from the classroom will hopefully give me a chance to find something part time or different.