Michigan - Teacher Certification

[DisneyFan06]

In the near future, I plan on moving out of Florida. Eek! Yeah, why most people want to travel here, I want to escape. I want something new. I want an adventure; thus, I been looking at all possible routes. I never lived or left the state of Florida - so this is new to me. We want to move someone different. We were thinking about Michigan.

Now, I graduate in May with a degree in Elementary Education. I will be certified to teacher K-6 in the state of Florida. Now, if and when we move to Michigan (which wont be for a couple of years) will me certification be valid? Will I be able to teach there or will I have to go through several steps to become certified in that state?

I just wanted to look at every possible route. Thanks.

 

[#1hockeymom]

While we'd LOVE to have you here.. .STAY AWAY! There are no teaching jobs in this state. They lay off every year rather than hire. Michigan is currently one of the worst states in which to find a teaching job. We're a one state recession moving towards a depression very quickly.

If you're still interested, try this website.
http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_5683_14795---,00.html

 

[DisneyFan06]

See, I was leaving Florida for the same reason. There is currently no real teaching jobs in the area as there was was. Thanks for the information, though.

 

[#1hockeymom]

I've had quite a few guest teachers who are looking at Florida for a perm. job once they graduate. Other areas of interest are the Carolinas, Las Vegas, and Texas.

 

[CharityLynn]

Michigan is so not the place to move to..our unemploymet rate stinks...I could go on and on. Unless you have friends or family here, how did you come up with Michigan?

 

[DisneyFan06]

Well, I guess we will reconsider after all...

 

[swilphil]

I can understand why you might want to move out of FL, but I would strongly recommend visiting some place and doing lots of research before moving there. While it will be nice to get rid of the HOT steamy Florida summers, you may come out on the losing end with the cold, LONG Michigan winters. Maybe someplace else a little more in the middle of the country would suit you. You still have change of season and snow, but not such harsh winters.

There definitely are teaching jobs out there. Many, many districts are having HUGE numbers retiring. Don't be afraid to consider the inner-city either. That's where I see most of the teaching jobs. It's hard work, but very satisfying.

 

[slimplaw]

There are teaching jobs available in Texas. You would need to be certified in Texas. If you look up Texas SBEC site, you can check out the out of state certification. In the Dallas area, new teachers start around 40,000 to
44,000. However, state base for new teachers is around 27,500. If you live in a rural area this may be all they offer in pay to new teachers. Some districts pay all of your insurance, some pay a portion and some pay none. Benefits vary from district to district. You would pay in to the state teacher retirement system and need to teach 10 years in Texas to have retirement benefits.

 

[snowy76]

I Googled "reciprocal teaching certification" and found the states that have reciprocal agreements are Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. (Yes, I cut and pasted, lol!)

I had a friend who did this (got her degree and cert in PA, moved to NY). The new certification is not automatic... the main thing is that they do not require you to complete a certification program at a college in their particular state. My friend still had to apply and pay fees like a new applicant would, and there was some additional testing involved before her certificate was issued.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Have you looked into New York City?

 

[swilphil]

I Googled "reciprocal teaching certification" and found the states that have reciprocal agreements are Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. (Yes, I cut and pasted, lol!)

I had a friend who did this (got her degree and cert in PA, moved to NY). The new certification is not automatic... the main thing is that they do not require you to complete a certification program at a college in their particular state. My friend still had to apply and pay fees like a new applicant would, and there was some additional testing involved before her certificate was issued.

I believe in Kansas, you can get a provisional certification for 1 year if you are certified in another state. You don't have to complete a program in the state, but the school of education at an in-state university reviews your transcripts and sends your application for a certificate to the state board if you have met the requirements. There also is a test, but I believe it's the same one used by other states.

 

[BrerMom]

While we'd LOVE to have you here.. .STAY AWAY! There are no teaching jobs in this state. They lay off every year rather than hire. Michigan is currently one of the worst states in which to find a teaching job. We're a one state recession moving towards a depression very quickly.

If you're still interested, try this website.
http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_5683_14795---,00.html

Unfortunately, I have to agree. My district has managed to avoid lay-offs by not replacing retirees, but we have been threatened with pink slips every year.

 

[CNYGuy]

Wow...seems to be consensus from Michiganders...I moved here in 2000 from NY, because my wife and her family are from Michigan, (Southeast Michigan). I am fortunate to have a good secure job, with a good company, but that is the exception here. It really is a one state recession and has been for the last 7 years I've lived here. We seriously considered moving to another state, but after some consideration have decided to stay.

My sister in law is an 8th grade English teacher, and she would agree that good teaching positions are hard to come by in Michigan these days.

Now, on the plus side, the 4 seasons in Michigan are great, the Great Lakes are beautiful, and we have 3 professional sports teams (Pistons, Red Wings and Tigers).

 

[Chattyaholic]

Now, on the plus side, the 4 seasons in Michigan are great, the Great Lakes are beautiful, and we have 3 professional sports teams (Pistons, Red Wings and Tigers).

Hey, how could you forget our wonderful football team, the Detroit Lions...?
Although I think they're doing a lot more meowing than roaring this year!

 

[llij]

My county in Northern Virginia is currently growing by leaps at bounds. They are opening new elementary schools each year and the district will be hiring about 800 to 1000 teachers this next year. I recently finished my Masters in Elem. Ed. and was an early hire for the 2008-2009 school year. While the cost of living is crazy here, it is a fairly nice place to live (about 1/2 hour from DC.)

Since there is a reciprocal agreement with Florida, I think the only thing you need to do is take a few licensing exams [Praxis II, VRA & VCLA (reading assessment and literacy exams)].

Good luck in whatever you do!

 

[Cindy B]

Since there is a reciprocal agreement with Florida, I think the only thing you need to do is take a few licensing exams [Praxis II, VRA & VCLA (reading assessment and literacy exams)].

Good luck in whatever you do!

Wouldn't you need to do Praxis II anyway? I had to complete Praxis II before student teaching. (one more semester until student teaching)

Is the VRA/VCLA the same as Praxis I? Just wondering.

 

[llij]

Wouldn't you need to do Praxis II anyway? I had to complete Praxis II before student teaching. (one more semester until student teaching)

Is the VRA/VCLA the same as Praxis I? Just wondering.

Yes, I think that most pre-service teaching programs have you take the Praxis II, but I wasn't sure if every state required it. I can only speak for Virginia's requirements and you must take it for licensure. The VRA and VCLA are licensing exams for the state of Virginia and have only been a requirement for the past two years. They are very different from the Praxis I exam.

Good luck with your student teaching. It was one of the most amazing experiences for me and I really miss my students and my mentor teachers. They were wonderful.

 

[Couturier]

We are also Michiganders and I can agree with these others, Michigan is not the place to come to teach. A few years back they were worried about teacher shortages so the universities started pushing education. Now we are overflowing! It is even hard to get jobs in places like Walmart and Mc Donalds here in Michigan.

We do have pretty seasons, and SEVERAL wonderful tourist locations. I just wanted to point out that I am looking out my window at about 14 inches of snow this eve! LOL

Happy New Year!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Before we were married we thought we would be in Kansas--long story--and while I would have been able to get a 1 year provisional certificate as another poster mentioned, I would have also had to take a course in Kansas history to be certified after that. I never left Ohio anyway!
Here very soon there will be a requirement for all teachers to get background checks from the state AND the FBI each time you license renew. This will cost us about $70 minimum. No background check or fingerprint, no license. I have a permanent certificate (they don't issue those anymore; I worked my tail off to get one before they stopped) and I have to go sometime this spring or summer to get those checks done as well.
I am in NW Ohio, close to Michigan, and things aren't very good here either. I guess some parts of Ohio are better (Columbus) but although I LOVE where I live, I don't know if I would recommend it. I just hope that when my kids get out of college in 7-13 years there are jobs here for them.
Robin M.

 

[DelaneyRose]

Ever since my DS was born I have been a sub here in Michigan (it's flexible and I like it a lot). In 10 years I have met a lot of people who have subbed for years and years trying to get a teaching job.
The sad truth is that if you want to be a teacher, Michigan is probably the last place you should consider.