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MiracleBaby
LIF Infant
Member since 2/07 199 total posts
Name:
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Need help from teachers with career change question
Hi everyone,
I'm contemplating a career change. I would like to teach, preferably early childhood education, but realized this very late in the game 
I have a JD an am working as an attorney now. What is the next step if I want to do this? I'd like to preferrable teach on the Island though. Are the req. different? Does my JD count for anything? Do I need to go back to school? Thanks so much....
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Posted 8/26/10 10:19 AM  |
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LuvHelloKitty
LIF Infant
Member since 1/10 112 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: Need help from teachers with career change question
Posted by MiracleBaby
Hi everyone,
I'm contemplating a career change. I would like to teach, preferably early childhood education, but realized this very late in the game
I have a JD an am working as an attorney now. What is the next step if I want to do this? I'd like to preferrable teach on the Island though. Are the req. different? Does my JD count for anything? Do I need to go back to school? Thanks so much....
Hi, I just sent you FM but forgot to finish it...but I just wanted to add that its possible to change from law to teaching. You just need to get Certified, which requires taking a few classes and then being placed on a List so that the school districts can call you for interviews..
My DH works for a school district in Nassau (in their IT dept). He's been there for almost 10 years and is friendly with all the teachers - about 10% of the teachers at his high school were former attorneys. A lot of them are banking north of $ 105K for just working 8-3 pm during the school year and maybe doing Summer School gigs. He suggested I try this route because in some of the School Districts in Nassau County - you come in at the PhD level because a JD is a Masters degree which qualifies you for a higher entry level salary (ie around 70K or so).
The only downside is you will have to work as a Teacher's Aide (possibly unpaid) for a year while they place you at a School that has a job opening...
I can't afford to work as an unpaid intern for a year or more so the Teaching idea was shot for me.
I hope this helps! 
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| Posted 8/26/10 10:27 AM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need help from teachers with career change question
Your JD (and /or pre-law BA) would probably help you to be certified in 7-12 social studies (which although tough to get a job - better than elem ed) You will have to go back to school for 24 (?) credits of education classes (that included student teaching?) Queens College actually has a certification program for secondary teachers, otherwise you will have to go for a MA in Teaching. Your JD may be enough to be the required MA degree you need to go from an initial to professional certification, but I'm not sure (We had a JD when I was in the city and I think that he said that his did not count - but that was when it was permanant)
NYS which pathway is right for me - check out career changers
It's a tough economy for teachers right now, but it just has to improve eventually. The student population is increasing. But I agree with PP - you need to expect to make very little in the beginning due to subbing or being a short term leave replacements. But these jobs will get you involved and noticed in school districts. Many people say that often districts already know who they are going to hire - but that person could be you, doing these jobs.
Your JD will definitely count to a higher salary, but unfortunately that also means that you might not be considered for interviews, b/c you cost too much, but you can't not list it on your application, if you want to have it count to your pay KWIM?
Message edited 8/26/2010 1:07:44 PM.
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| Posted 8/26/10 1:07 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Need help from teachers with career change question
Posted by LuvHelloKitty
The only downside is you will have to work as a Teacher's Aide (possibly unpaid) for a year while they place you at a School that has a job opening...
Would this have to be all day every day for a full school year??? I am guessing to fulfill the student teaching requirements?
Message edited 8/29/2010 11:06:46 PM.
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| Posted 8/29/10 11:04 PM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Need help from teachers with career change question
Posted by jellybean1420
Posted by LuvHelloKitty
The only downside is you will have to work as a Teacher's Aide (possibly unpaid) for a year while they place you at a School that has a job opening...
Would this have to be all day every day for a full school year??? I am guessing to fulfill the student teaching requirements?
I switched from corporate to secondary Social Studies a few years ago and I just wanted to clear up a couple of things:
Student teachers are not teacher's aides. If your cooperating teacher is doing their job, they will supervise while you actually teach the class. This is the final semester of whatever program you do - bachelor's, master's, or a certification program. Yes, it's unpaid. It's worth credits towards your degree. It's like an internship. There is not necessarily a job opening in the district when you are done.
You will need to get certified in elementary education. It's K-6. Since I'm secondary, I don't know much about those programs. Check out the colleges local to you and see what they have.
The market is terrible. Schools are just not hiring like they were a few years ago. I started the switch five years ago, graduated 2.5 years later, worked for 1.5 years as a leave replacement, and still cannot find a permanent job despite having excellent references. I am home with my infant son right now so at least I have him to keep me busy, but it's getting ridiculous and I'm super frustrated. Not to mention dipping into savings.
I hear elementary is worse.
I want to say don't touch this profession with a ten foot pole right now - out of my frustration - but I truly love what I do and the market has to improve eventually.
Good luck - let us know what you decide so we can support you on your journey!
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| Posted 8/29/10 11:23 PM |
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Pumpkin
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3353 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need help from teachers with career change question
I am a career change. Been doing it part for a while. This semester I left my career in corporate America to go to school full time.
Intially I wanted Secondary ed but the programs required me to go back and do almost another BA. So I went for my masters in elementary education with a dual certification in Special Ed. It is a 48 credit masters. I wish I could get ceritfied already but almost there.
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| Posted 8/31/10 12:24 PM |
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