So I *might* want to become a teacher?

[MonkeyDishwasher]

So due to some more recent happenings at my workplace, I've been thinking about the possibility of going back to school and becoming a teacher.

Really, I've been wondering about what would I need to do to fulfill the requirements, and what those even are! I'd prefer to go into elementary school grade teaching. I currently have a BA in Communications, and took at least one or two child development courses in my General Ed classes. (I'm located in CA, by the way).

I know there are 2 tests to take to get a teaching credential, but would I take those before or after any more coursework?

I've tried looking at online "how to" guides, but they just seem like a lot of senseless words. I need an actual person to explain it to me in layman's terms! Thanks in advance for any info...

 

[Teacher03]

Before you go any further, check into the job availablity in your area. Teaching is a wonderful profession, but jobs in my area (Ohio) are few and far between. I am probably going to be losing my job (which I love) within a year, and the prospects don't look good.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but I wish I had looked into it more before I put thousands of dollars into my education.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Tinijocaro]

I am a music teacher, but if I was a regular classroom teacher, there is no way I would do elementary. I think they have the hardest job on the planet. NYS standards are such that it makes it nearly impossible to do all that is asked of you, yet you must. Filed trips, assemblies, special programs, music lessons, and many other things are constantly pulling kids out of your classroom, interrupting your flow. Look into it before you choose which level to teach.

 

[MrsPete]

Before you go any further, check into the job availablity in your area. Teaching is a wonderful profession, but jobs in my area (Ohio) are few and far between. I am probably going to be losing my job (which I love) within a year, and the prospects don't look good.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but I wish I had looked into it more before I put thousands of dollars into my education.

Good luck with your decision.

This is excellent advice. Here in the South teachers can count on finding jobs, but it isn't necessarily true everywhere. Also, people in English, science, math, history (to a slightly lesser degree), world langugages, and special ed have an easier time finding work than, say, a librarian, a music teacher or an art teacher. (Think about it, a typical high school has 12-14 math teachers, but only 2 music teachers. Set yourself up for success -- choose something where work is most likely to be available -- you could be the best music teacher ever, but if the guy who's already in the job is planning to work another decade, that's a long wait for you.) You should figure out whether you'll be employable BEFORE you put time and money into getting a license. That, or decide whether you're willing to move.

If you're interested in teaching, I'd suggest that you begin subbing. Although it's not really the same as teaching, it will give you a realistic glimpse into the world of education. Things do look very different on this side of the desk.

I think your main question was "how to become a teacher"? What level are you considering? If you're thinking of teaching elementary, you'll need an education degree. If you're thinking of high school, you'll need a degree in your subject area (English, math, whatever) and additional courses in education. Either way, you'll need student teaching.

 

[iwrbnd]

I live in the midwest and it's very hard to find a teaching job here. In fact, I work for the school system and may be losing my job next year with budget cuts.

 

[DisTeach1]

Here in CA, there is no need for elementary school teachers, in fact, there is a glut, and our local districts don't even need substitute teachers because so many have been laid off. I started out thinking elementary, but ended up at the high school level-I have dual credentials in special ed and math, so I feel pretty secure, but if I just had an elementary credential, I would not feel so secure.

And I agree with what someone else said...elementary teaching is the hardest, most demanding job there is...You are a slave to the seasons, holidays, and your bulletin boards, you have assemblies, field trips, parties, etc. to deal with.

I don't have any of that...I don't have yard duty, conferences, or field trips. My room stays the same all year because I don't have to decorate or do art projects for every holiday that pops up. Yes, it is heavy on the grading and assessments, but it is much easier on the planning end of things.

Thing hard about why you want to become a teacher, and then maybe not plan on having a steady job for at least the first 5-10 years because of the economy and the glut of teachers in the market.

 

[Pembo]

Another comment on teaching jobs...they are very scarce in most areas of the country. I'm on a job seekers board for teachers and it seems as if it's all who you know or sheer luck that gets you a job pretty much all over the country.

And one more comment about the job itself, DisTeach1 did a good job describing some of the obstacles but she left out parents. Parents can be the most difficult part of teaching.

 

[bettymae1121]

I live in the midwest and it's very hard to find a teaching job here. In fact, I work for the school system and may be losing my job next year with budget cuts.

Ditto, my best friend and SIL are both teachers and it is BAD out there. My SIL was just at a very intense school board meeting. They are making HUGE cuts in her district, mainly in bussing but they made it clear that teachers are next if things get worse. And my BF has 10 years experiance in teaching and can't find work (she relocated from FL to be near family here in IL). She's living with her mother and subbing as much as she can.

It could be that by the time you are able to teach in a few years that things will be better, but I'd go into this knowing that you may not find a teaching job right away, if at all.

 

[paintnolish]

Yes, it is hard to find some teaching jobs in the midwest. Early grade school and high school english/history are the worst. Special Ed, high school math/science, and middle school jobs are a little easier to find. I will student teach high school English in fall and have been told there are sometimes up to 500 applicants for one English teaching position!

 

[PlaneJoy1]

I left a multi-national corporate job a year and a half ago to become a teacher. It is something that I had been thinking about for at least 5 years and the time became right to make the switch.

First - go shadow a teacher or three at different levels. Ask any and all questions that you have. Take a hard look at what they do each day and the planning that goes into each and every lesson as well as summer planning that takes place. Go to your local county school board website, they should have an employment section and it should explain how to become a teacher.

I had my bachelor's degree already so to begin with all I had to do was pass the initial certification tests to be able to be hired. I was hired at one of the local high schools that summer. I entered an online state sponsored teacher prep program that gave me my master's as well as my initial certification - all while I was working as a special education teacher. I had additional tests I took along the way that gave me 'highly qualified' status as well as tests for my area - special education. To tell you the truth - I'm about tested out. I've spent almost $1000 on tests alone through this. I now have my masters, by doubling my course load during two semester just to finish. My motto - quick is easy, slow is hard.

Your state may be different, but that's been my journey. Good luck, whatever you decide!

 

[Cindy B]

Dont think about teaching in NJ either. It's really bad.. and will only get worse. My home district alone is laying off 175 positions.

I have a teaching degree and have two teaching certs. I can't find a full time job.

I would never do elementary either. I hated the bulletin boards, yard duty, bus duty, lunch duty, field trips, etc. I actually liked middle school much much better.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Start with your counties website it will tell you specifically the requirements & then go to the local college & let them tell you in the college of education.

States are so different - in AL you must have a high enough GPA on your undergraduate coursework to become a teacher - but you can get an alternative teacher certification & Master's at the same time. In FL you can teach with any 4yr degree as long as you are working toward certification - you have 3yrs to finish

Here teaching jobs are impossible to find.BUt that's not the case everywhere - innercities need teachers & of course the ones needed most are science & math teachers - mid to upper grades

If I were you I'd sub for a while & find out if you even like it -or work in a 4yo pre - k program - teach sunday school - or afterschool care - something to get you around many kids to see if you love it or not before you start to pursue it.

 

[Inigo]

Since you have a bachelor's degree already, you might be able to get your certification and master's degree in 1 1/2 to 2 years. Many universities, such as my own Indiana University, offer programs for those holding 4 year degrees in non-education fields.

I have a BA in Constitutional History. I was able to go through the Elementary Certification Graduate Program (ECGP) at IU, and it only took me 3 semesters to finish the program with a license to teach elementary school. Because of my undergrad classes, I was able to add MS Science and Social Studies to my license by splitting my student teaching between an elementary school (10 weeks) and a middle school (6 weeks). I had to do a capstone research project to finish out the MS degree. Fortunately, I was able to use my first job after being certified for a lot of what I put into the project.

There are also programs for those who want to be certified in middle school and high school. IU's program is Transition to Teaching I believe.

Contact your local school of education and see if they have a similar program.

Good luck!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I am a music teacher, but if I was a regular classroom teacher, there is no way I would do elementary. I think they have the hardest job on the planet. NYS standards are such that it makes it nearly impossible to do all that is asked of you, yet you must. Filed trips, assemblies, special programs, music lessons, and many other things are constantly pulling kids out of your classroom, interrupting your flow. Look into it before you choose which level to teach.

Public school is now a witch hunt. You will be the reason for society's ills and you will be labeled as worthless and lazy even though you work a 10 hour day and then take work home. You will be expected to take a vow of poverty and if you by any chance want a salary increase you will hear how worthless you are from state and federal political hacks who never did an honest days work in their lives. Look what they did to the teachers in RI in one of the toughest neighborhoods just because they could get the kids to where they needed to be on state wide testing. They tried to fire teachers linked to testing in Boston too.

I am a teacher and I want to find another profession. I talked my son out of it and I would talk anyone out of it that will listen. They set us up to fail with impossible state wide testing, the behavior in elementary school is unbelievable(what would happen if you called your teacher the "p" word or the "c" word? In our system the parent threatens a violation of civil rights and the kid gets away with it). Trust me...this is not something you want to persue at this time and I am giving you the exact same advice I gave my son.

 

[RitaZ.]

It's pretty bad all over the nation when it comes to teaching jobs. It is definitely a problem where I live.

Has anyone read the article about schools in Kansas City? Their school board has voted to close 26 schools due to decreasing enrollment numbers and in an effort to reduce their budget. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100311/ap_on_re_us/us_closing_schools

 

[Glenn]

With all the talk of lack of teaching jobs available I found it strange that Broward County Fl public schools ran an add looking for teachers in the Chicago Tribune the other day. They are looking for teachers in Math, Science, Reading, Special Ed, Speech Language Pathology (masters). Email your resume by 3/17/10 to teach@browardschools.com. This add appeared in the career builder section of the Chicago Tribune, 3/7/10. It said also to be sure to place "Chicago interview" in the subject area of your E-mail.
Good luck if anyone is looking.

 

[tarheel618]

Public school is now a witch hunt. You will be the reason for society's ills and you will be labeled as worthless and lazy even though you work a 10 hour day and then take work home. You will be expected to take a vow of poverty and if you by any chance want a salary increase you will hear how worthless you are from state and federal political hacks who never did an honest days work in their lives. Look what they did to the teachers in RI in one of the toughest neighborhoods just because they could get the kids to where they needed to be on state wide testing. They tried to fire teachers linked to testing in Boston too.

I am a teacher and I want to find another profession. I talked my son out of it and I would talk anyone out of it that will listen. They set us up to fail with impossible state wide testing, the behavior in elementary school is unbelievable(what would happen if you called your teacher the "p" word or the "c" word? In our system the parent threatens a violation of civil rights and the kid gets away with it). Trust me...this is not something you want to persue at this time and I am giving you the exact same advice I gave my son.

I agree with the above statement. Teachers are not like very well. Also, I teach in Florida and I would not count on keeping a job in this state. There has been layoffs here as well and we have some new bills going through our state senate that will be very damaging to the teaching profession. Just go back and read some the threads about teachers and you will see what public opinion is like. The threads that crack me up are the ones about what to buy the teacher at Christmas, really I don't want a gift just your support. Off my soap box and off to work.

 

[amyy]

Have you thought about a related profession? I am a Speech Language Pathologist and work in a school. If I need to I can work in a hospital, nursing home etc. The job market appears good. I will say money is terrible when you work in a school. It costs more to be an SLP then a teacher but we are paid the same. I will be lucky to ever pay off my loans but I am happy and that is worth a lot.

 

[HsvTeacher]

I've been an elementary school teacher for 13 years, and I have loved every minute of it. If you feel a calling to become a teacher, then by all means pursue it!

In Alabama, you can go through a "5th year" program to earn your teaching degree (Masters) once you have a bachelor's degree in another field. Some teachers have had great success with those programs, while others feel like they didn't learn enough to be prepared to teach. (Personally, I think that 5th degree programs work better for secondary teachers.)

Yes, we're going through a rough time right now due to the recession, but things usually bounce back pretty quickly. My school system just announced last night that they will be laying off 151 teachers in May, because we're going through our third year of proration. I'm pretty sure I won't be part of the layoffs, because I've been with the same school system during my whole career. Hopefully, the economy turns around quickly!

 

[canadianjovigirl]

Wow...thats disheartning to hear the opinion many have of teachers. I am small town rural Alberta and we have the best teachers ever!!! They work hard, are amazing with our kids and accomplish so much and make such a difference in our kids lives...........they really do become life long friends in my community. Our teachers have alot of support from parents.....in elementary there are always one or 2 parents a day volunteering to do extra stuff for the teachers (bulliten boards, marking, individual reading, general helping), in the middle school there is also a large parent volunteer base supporting the teachers..............makes me happy my kids are where they are as the more support our teachers get, the better outcome our kids have..........

To those of you who are teachers or will become teachers, may you find huge satisfaction doing a job that is sooooooooo important for the future....you really do make a difference in our lives and our kids lives. My youngest loved her grade one teacher so much that she wants to be a grade one teacher!!!! That to me is a great form of flattery and a compliment to him