In a (non-cat) crisis--could use some help!

As harsh as it seems, I have finally admitted to myself that I hate teaching. I am truly miserable and need to do something else with my life. I just can't do this for 20+ more years. Being in my thirties, it is hard to start over in college, and I simply don't have the money. I also cannot put myself in more debt by taking out a student loan (again). So, I am stuck with this education degree and have nothing to do with it. I have been racking my brain trying to think of some kind of job that I can do using my degree. I am not opposed to working with children. Most of my issues with teaching have nothing to do with the kids and more to do with my severe anxiety and the million other things that come with teaching. I would just like to work with them in a much less stressful environment.

I helped out briefly at my church's daycare program a few years ago in the baby classroom and absolutely loved it. Rocking the little babies to sleep was so calming and melted my stress away. There were no papers to grade, deadlines to meet, tests to pass, disrespectful behavior, pushy parents, etc. In the real world though, working for minimum wage at a daycare is not going to be enough to live on.

So, I am stumped and could really use someone's input. Does anyone know of a job where I can use my education degree but not be in a formal educational setting? I would need to be in at least in the $35,000 range, and being able to work with babies or animals (which I also love) would be great. I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, if that helps.

What about a program like this: http://www.txpat.org/?  I have a friend who used to work for their location in my state.

What about one of the tutoring companies like Sylvan learning center.  You would still have parents to deal with but it would be one on one tutoring with the kids.  I would imagine you would have a lower percentage of kids engaging in the rude, disrespectful behavior because they would come from homes where the parents are engaged and care about their kids education.

Welcome to my world!  I'm an RN and I absolutely hate my job.  I'm currently off work on stress leave and I don't plan on returning.  Once I'm ready to return to work I'm looking for a job in the secretarial field again.  It will be less money, but I really don't care. I'd rather do a job that I actually like and doesn't stress me out, then make myself physically sick from depression and anxiety related to a job that I seriously hate doing.

What about teaching in a private school?  The class sizes are smaller and the kids are there because the parents want them there and are paying a lot for tuition. You might still have parent issues, but being a private school, you would probably get more support from the other teachers, as well as the principal or head master.   And you would probably, if you wanted, be able to do more *fun* things with the kids, as in after school programs.   The pay level is likely lower than public schools, but you would at least still be using your education degree.

Try an organization that helps people get their GEDs or that helps people further their education. I know there's a little place close to us where people go to night classes to earn their GEDs. Look for something like that; for the life of me, I can't remember what the name of that place is, but I know it's part of a nationwide organization.