Question for all you teachers out there!
Posted by pooh bear on Aug 24, 2008 · Member since Jun 2008 · 671 posts
I have long thought about completely switching job fields and becoming a teacher. Anyone have any tips on how to make this happen, semi quickly?! I know I need a license but do I need an entire second degree? I have a bachelors in hydrogeology and I work in aerospace currently. I don't really have a lot of money to go back to school. Just curious if anyone has any tips for me.
around here i believe there is a one year certification course. Like a fifth year on your bachelor's.
I have long thought about completely switching job fields and becoming a teacher. Anyone have any tips on how to make this happen, semi quickly?! I know I need a license but do I need an entire second degree? I have a bachelors in hydrogeology and I work in aerospace currently. I don't really have a lot of money to go back to school. Just curious if anyone has any tips for me.
There is no easy answer to this. Like BP said it varies by state, but also depends on the type of certification.
I work in a school of ed (but I don't work with certification, just to be completely clear), and just to use it as an example, we help students get full licenses (in my state there is approximately a 50-60 credit-hour requirement, which includes your student teaching), and also give the information needed to pass the PRAXIS, which is the standardized test.
It sounds like that might take too long for you, though. Depending on where you are and what you're interested in you might be able to get an alternative certification. For example, at my school these are only available for middle/secondary math (seen as high-need). This comes along with a temporary authorization to work as a teacher while you complete 24 credit hours (approx. 1 year) of classes.
Then, to make matters more comples, there is also provisional certification (for if you want to start teaching before you've completed all the coursework and/or passed the standardized tests), or certification to become a substitute teacher.
PM me if I can be of more help. (Unfortunately I we're not in the same state, so requirements may differ.)
what is your first degree in? If its something that can be taught in schools, like biology or business or something like that, some states have lateral entry programs that would be a lot quicker.
what do you want to teach?
eta.....duh, i just re-read your post. sounds like you'd be a good candidate for a high school science teacher! look online and see what the requirements are in your state. in NC there's a site called teach4nc that spells it all out
This should help. It's a summary of all the alternate routes to certification in Colorado. There is also contact information on there for a person you might want to talk to.
http://www.teach-now.org/dispstate.cfm?state=CO
And, of course, there's always Teach for America, which is an alternate route to certification in and of itself and kicks major butt. ;)b
in texas, i think you just have to take a test. michaels sister has a bachelors in communication and just passed her speech test. so she'll be teaching speech this year. a lot of teachers at my school dont even have their license, you can always teach as a paraprofessional. you dont get paid much, but its a start.
agreed-you might want to get a job as an assistant or at least observe a good amount before you go to school or do whatever you have to do. working in a school is definitely not for everyone and is not always as glamorous as it sounds.....if it even sounds glamorous!
in florida you just have to take a test as well....which is probably why the schools suck so much. unqualified teachers!
in texas, i think you just have to take a test. michaels sister has a bachelors in communication and just passed her speech test. so she'll be teaching speech this year. a lot of teachers at my school dont even have their license, you can always teach as a paraprofessional. you dont get paid much, but its a start.
agreed-you might want to get a job as an assistant or at least observe a good amount before you go to school or do whatever you have to do. working in a school is definitely not for everyone and is not always as glamorous as it sounds.....if it even sounds glamorous!
in florida you just have to take a test as well....which is probably why the schools suck so much. unqualified teachers!
in texas, i think you just have to take a test. michaels sister has a bachelors in communication and just passed her speech test. so she'll be teaching speech this year. a lot of teachers at my school dont even have their license, you can always teach as a paraprofessional. you dont get paid much, but its a start.
I agree with L2A and kelsi - getting a job as an assistant or at least observing/talking with some teachers in your area may be a good way to start. Find out what they like/dislike about their jobs, especially in the areas you are interested in. I have teaching certificates in 4 states and have taught in both inner city and semi-rural districts - areas where there is typically more need (especially for special ed, which is what I teach) but the state requirements are all different. Minnesota, where I'm at now, is really picky - they even made me go back for some courses that they deemed were "missing" from my undergraduate degree in education! Also, since I have always taught in high need areas, I have never had any trouble getting a job, but I have friends with ELED degrees in the 'burbs that had to sub for three or four years before they got an "in" in a district.
Also, A to Z teacher stuff (link here: http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/) has great forums for teachers and people interested in teaching. I post mostly on the special education forum, but I know there are ones for preservice teachers, new teachers, people interested in teaching, etc. It might also be good to read and ask questions about some of the issues teachers in your area of interest face.
Exciting that you are thinking about teaching! It is really a difficult but very rewarding profession and good teachers are so needed. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!
agreed-you might want to get a job as an assistant or at least observe a good amount before you go to school or do whatever you have to do. working in a school is definitely not for everyone and is not always as glamorous as it sounds.....if it even sounds glamorous!
in florida you just have to take a test as well....which is probably why the schools suck so much. unqualified teachers!
in texas, i think you just have to take a test. michaels sister has a bachelors in communication and just passed her speech test. so she'll be teaching speech this year. a lot of teachers at my school dont even have their license, you can always teach as a paraprofessional. you dont get paid much, but its a start.
I agree with L2A and kelsi - getting a job as an assistant or at least observing/talking with some teachers in your area may be a good way to start. Find out what they like/dislike about their jobs, especially in the areas you are interested in. I have teaching certificates in 4 states and have taught in both inner city and semi-rural districts - areas where there is typically more need (especially for special ed, which is what I teach) but the state requirements are all different. Minnesota, where I'm at now, is really picky - they even made me go back for some courses that they deemed were "missing" from my undergraduate degree in education! Also, since I have always taught in high need areas, I have never had any trouble getting a job, but I have friends with ELED degrees in the 'burbs that had to sub for three or four years before they got an "in" in a district.
Also, A to Z teacher stuff (link here: http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/) has great forums for teachers and people interested in teaching. I post mostly on the special education forum, but I know there are ones for preservice teachers, new teachers, people interested in teaching, etc. It might also be good to read and ask questions about some of the issues teachers in your area of interest face.
Exciting that you are thinking about teaching! It is really a difficult but very rewarding profession and good teachers are so needed. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!
ya, I've already talked to a couple of teachers in the area. They say the same things, very challenging but rewarding. I just feel like there is a huge lack of qualified teachers. Qualified meaning educated AND empathetic to students individual needs. My biggests problem is lack of funds to get any kind of continuing education. KMK sent me a good link on alternative teaching programs. That is definaltey more do-able than standard university. Well, and my other problem is the 40,000K cut in pay.... what I do now makes good money but I don't really like it.
This should help. It's a summary of all the alternate routes to certification in Colorado. There is also contact information on there for a person you might want to talk to.
http://www.teach-now.org/dispstate.cfm?state=CO
And, of course, there's always Teach for America, which is an alternate route to certification in and of itself and kicks major butt. ;)b
Geez KMK, every email I've sent to a contact by city has bounced back saying the email address isn't valid.... maybe I'll just call the department of education tomorrow and ask why.
I did a quick google: "Colorado+teaching certification requirements" and found this:
http://www.academploy.com/cert/certco.htm
Hope it helps. !