I'm done!!!! Student teaching is OVER!!!!!!!!

[Cindy B]

Yes, I am finished.

I now have the scary task of finding a teaching job (400-500 applicants per position in my state)

I will miss some of my kids. Some of my kids begged me to take them home with them. One kid broke my heart-- he pointed out his house to me- I saw the tarp on the roof -- NO ROOF in sub zero weather.

He told me about the drug deals and gun shots. I told him that if he can keep up his great behavior now that he can just ignore those dealers and stay out of the way of the shots... I hope these young boys and girls can walk away from these problems when they get older.

This child (an A student who has no behavioral problems) begged for me to take him to my house. I can't tell you how much it hurt to walk away.

It broke my heart to walk away from these kids. I got some beautiful cards and letters that I will treasure always. These cards were handwritten and were better than any store-bought gifts. I will treasure these cards forever!

The placement was rough but I think if I can do 15 weeks in this place-- I can do anything.

 

[Soarin08]

Congrats!!! That's awesome!!!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

I remember the relief i felt after my student etaching was over--and i was in a decent area--I just hated being in a classroom that was not my own!

I know you are in my state so good luck finding a job! I graduated in 2007 and i finally got a full time teaching job this year! It was well worth it, i love my job now!

Congrats!

 

[turning40withMickey]

Congratulations!
Best wishes to you on finding a great job.

 

[meliss8599]

The placement was rough but I think if I can do 15 weeks in this place-- I can do anything.

Congratulations! I just finished student teaching as well this past April in a not-so-good area so I feel for you. One thing I can tell you is that your final statement really speaks the truth.

When one has taught in a less-fortunate district, it allows him or her to REALLY appreciate a future job in a more blessed area.

Best of luck in your job search!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Congratulations! I remember when you first started your placement, and now it's over!

Good luck finding a teaching job. It can be rough out there!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Cindy, what is your certification in?

Congratulations on finishing your placement. It is so sad about your student, but it's amazing you could make that much of a difference for him in the short time you were there. You truly have the heart for this profession, and I know you will do great. Good luck finding a job!

 

[MushyMushy]

Yes! Time to celebrate! I remember the relief I felt when it was all over. I finished in 2006, and I still see those kids around town and around the schools -- still get hugs from them, and some of them are seniors now. They make it all worthwhile.

I'll keep my fingers crossed on your job situation. My area is bad, really bad for teaching jobs. In speaking with different school board members from a few different schools, I've found there are at least 300 applicants for each position. Crazy, isn't it? So if I want to teach, I'll have to move.

 

[Chipperdini]

Congratulations and best wishes!

 

[Lionqueen2]

Congratulations! Teaching is a very hard, but rewarding job. You have chosen a great profession. Best wishes with your job search!!

 

[aprilgail2]

Yes, I am finished.

I now have the scary task of finding a teaching job (400-500 applicants per position in my state)

I.

Congrats and Good luck! Do you have an "in" anyplace that could hook you up? I know in the schools around here its who you know more than what you know. My neighbor who works at the school got her 2 sons jobs as teachers in the same school , my friend got her sister in the same school she teaches in etc. They actually interviewed people for an assist. superintendant job which was a total waste because from the begining it was known who was getting it and he did so all the people that went in for interviews were basically just wasting their time!

 

[Cindy B]

Cindy, what is your certification in?

Congratulations on finishing your placement. It is so sad about your student, but it's amazing you could make that much of a difference for him in the short time you were there. You truly have the heart for this profession, and I know you will do great. Good luck finding a job!

I actually have two certifications and in process for my third. I have elementary K-5, Middle School Language Arts Grades 5-8, and I am working on my Special Ed (k-12). You can't get a job anywhere around here without the special ed cert. The Special Ed only takes 2 more classes so it would be dumb NOT to do it.

Congrats and Good luck! Do you have an "in" anyplace that could hook you up? I know in the schools around here its who you know more than what you know. My neighbor who works at the school got her 2 sons jobs as teachers in the same school , my friend got her sister in the same school she teaches in etc. They actually interviewed people for an assist. superintendant job which was a total waste because from the begining it was known who was getting it and he did so all the people that went in for interviews were basically just wasting their time!

I have been working as a sub in a fairly prestigious suburb for four years. However, this district is KNOWN to string along subs and never hire them full time. Plus, my student teaching is in a very urban environment and well that place isn't. I actually put my application in for a position in the district and my student teaching scared them off! (yes that town is that awful that suburban schools want nothing of it)

 

[aprilgail2]

I have been working as a sub in a fairly prestigious suburb for four years. However, this district is KNOWN to string along subs and never hire them full time. Plus, my student teaching is in a very urban environment and well that place isn't. I actually put my application in for a position in the district and my student teaching scared them off! (yes that town is that awful that suburban schools want nothing of it)

Thats to bad- I know the subs in my daughters school are usually the first ones that get hired for any teaching jobs that come up- They just hired a really nice sub that my daughter liked very much.

 

[MushyMushy]

I have been working as a sub in a fairly prestigious suburb for four years. However, this district is KNOWN to string along subs and never hire them full time. Plus, my student teaching is in a very urban environment and well that place isn't. I actually put my application in for a position in the district and my student teaching scared them off! (yes that town is that awful that suburban schools want nothing of it)

I don't get that at all. Why on earth would a placement in an urban setting be the least bit of a negative? You'd think it would make you more valuable.

 

[Cindy B]

I don't get that at all. Why on earth would a placement in an urban setting be the least bit of a negative? You'd think it would make you more valuable.

I've been told that in many prestigious suburbs they like to think that the Abbott/AVID/ AYP failure schools don't exist.

My placement was all of the above. Abott district, AVID programs, AYP failure for six years of more so the state took over....

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I actually have two certifications and in process for my third. I have elementary K-5, Middle School Language Arts Grades 5-8, and I am working on my Special Ed (k-12). You can't get a job anywhere around here without the special ed cert. The Special Ed only takes 2 more classes so it would be dumb NOT to do it.

I don't know how many extra classes it is here to get the special ed, but once you have it, it's like you get trapped in special education whether it's where you want to be or not. They are so hard up for SpEd teachers that when they find out that you are legally able to be there, you get stuck. And the SpEd situation here is awful. It's like a catch-all for kids with horrific behavior. A lot of kids with fine behavior but genuine academic needs slip through the cracks.

 

[Cindy B]

I don't know how many extra classes it is here to get the special ed, but once you have it, it's like you get trapped in special education whether it's where you want to be or not. They are so hard up for SpEd teachers that when they find out that you are legally able to be there, you get stuck. And the SpEd situation here is awful. It's like a catch-all for kids with horrific behavior. A lot of kids with fine behavior but genuine academic needs slip through the cracks.

I know. I know. I can't get a job with 400-500 applicants with two certs. So I have to get the special ed cert just to find a position.

I know I will be trapped in special ed, but there is no other option for straight elementary ed or Middle School Language Arts.

If I can find a job by January 6th, (doubtful) I ll do that. If not, I can just knock out the special ed courses and be done with it. I already took my Special Ed Praxis and my results should be in today. January 6th is the drop add day for school registration. (the extra two classes I need). If I can register for the two classes I will do it.

 

[MM27]

I've been told that in many prestigious suburbs they like to think that the Abbott/AVID/ AYP failure schools don't exist.

My placement was all of the above. Abott district, AVID programs, AYP failure for six years of more so the state took over....

I don't think schools will look at you in a negative light because of your student teaching placement. I know plenty of teachers that worked in my district for a year or two and then moved on to suburban areas. I think they will appreciate that you can handle the problems that arise in urban districts.

 

[Cindy B]

I don't think schools will look at you in a negative light because of your student teaching placement. I know plenty of teachers that worked in my district for a year or two and then moved on to suburban areas. I think they will appreciate that you can handle the problems that arise in urban districts.

I wish that was the case. I have been told by human resource officers that my placement district is shown as a negative.

I've been told by teachers that if I have this placement area on my resume, the suburbs will not talk to you because there are 400-500 applicants for one position and most of these applicants have "nice safe" suburban experiences.

Since I have this rough urban district on my resume, my only hope is other not as rough urban districts.

I applied at a blue ribbon award winning middle school. I have 3.9 GPA, (one B and the rest A's for my entire school career) two certs, great recommendations, and I did a field experience at this school. I live in the township and have held other positions at this district. I did not even get an interview BECAUSE of my urban placement.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

I had the same problem when looking for a job. I was "grandfathered" into the special ed program because of the way they did the classes our year..So i have the cert. but never put it on my resume because I did not want special ed classes..i know it takes a special person--and i know it wasnt me.
So i was able to get my kindergarten position with my prek-3 certification and sociology minor--i was lucky! Good luck