[Let's compare student debt! How much do you have?]

I currently have almost $73k plus $21k for this year. None of my programs offered any fin aid so it was all student loans, urgh. I'm hoping to receive free tuition through a state program this spring and for my last year, which will help. I'm also going into teaching in a high need area so I will hopefully qualify for loan forgiveness.

[Nashville, TN]

I'm a native Nashvillian and have also lived in Murfreesboro, one of the suburbs to Nashville, throughout undergrad. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask away.

[M.Ed. without teaching/education background etc.?]

Like others have said it is definitely possible. I'm currently in a M.Ed program in special education and came from an English BA with no education background. I chose a M.Ed instead of a MAT because it seemed like it would give me more research opportunities. IMO MAT programs ) in my area atleast_ seemed very focused on licensure, and I wanted to get licensure while getting a graduate education.

Biology (and science in general) is also a high demand subject area in education. That alone would probably help you bridge the gap from your current experience to education. I know my state (TN) has a special program for professionals in science and math that provides discounted tuition rates and a bridge into a teacher education program. You could see if there is something similar in your area.