Thinking about getting my teaching cert - anyone done this?

I have my Bachelors in Psychology and have been in the work force for 10 years now, but I'm very seriously thinking of going back to school to become certified to teach 7-12 in English Language Arts. Has anyone gone back to school to become a teacher? I'd love to know which program you chose and how easy or hard it was to find a job upon being certified.

Thanks!

Re: Thinking about getting my teaching cert - anyone done this?

Thinking about getting my teaching cert - anyone done this?

to be completely honest: You're going to waste your time and money getting that degree. Schools want dually certified candidates (special ed/math, special ed/ELA, etc). If you plan on going that route, i would highly suggest you get the dual special ed/ELA 7-12 master's. I have also heard the certification process is a nightmare.

Finding a job on LI is a nightmare, though, and while I love my job in the city, it took me 4-5 years to get in this building. I started out with leave replacements to get experience, then got a job in a bad district in the city, then another bad school, and now here. I finally found my forever home, but it's incredibly stressful to get (and keep) a job.

With all of that said: I love teaching. I think the schedule is great for parents, and I truly enjoy doing what I do.

Re: Thinking about getting my teaching cert - anyone done this?

Re: Thinking about getting my teaching cert - anyone done this?

Posted by HomeIsWithU

Posted by mommy2be716

to be completely honest: You're going to waste your time and money getting that degree. Schools want dually certified candidates (special ed/math, special ed/ELA, etc). If you plan on going that route, i would highly suggest you get the dual special ed/ELA 7-12 master's. I have also heard the certification process is a nightmare.

Finding a job on LI is a nightmare, though, and while I love my job in the city, it took me 4-5 years to get in this building. I started out with leave replacements to get experience, then got a job in a bad district in the city, then another bad school, and now here. I finally found my forever home, but it's incredibly stressful to get (and keep) a job.

With all of that said: I love teaching. I think the schedule is great for parents, and I truly enjoy doing what I do.

I'm actually not on LI. I'm in Rockland and according to several people in the SD's here that I know, they can't find enough HS teachers right now. ELA would absolutely be my first choice, but I also wouldn't be opposed to science. Math is a big no for me though

Re: Thinking about getting my teaching cert - anyone done this?

Posted by PitterPatter11

Posted by HomeIsWithU

Posted by mommy2be716

to be completely honest: You're going to waste your time and money getting that degree. Schools want dually certified candidates (special ed/math, special ed/ELA, etc). If you plan on going that route, i would highly suggest you get the dual special ed/ELA 7-12 master's. I have also heard the certification process is a nightmare.

Finding a job on LI is a nightmare, though, and while I love my job in the city, it took me 4-5 years to get in this building. I started out with leave replacements to get experience, then got a job in a bad district in the city, then another bad school, and now here. I finally found my forever home, but it's incredibly stressful to get (and keep) a job.

With all of that said: I love teaching. I think the schedule is great for parents, and I truly enjoy doing what I do.

I'm actually not on LI. I'm in Rockland and according to several people in the SD's here that I know, they can't find enough HS teachers right now. ELA would absolutely be my first choice, but I also wouldn't be opposed to science. Math is a big no for me though

I am upstate and will say there are many jobs in the capital region as well. So many baby boomers in my district are retiring, it's unbelievable. In my department alone, we hired 6 new people in the last year. In math, they've hired probably 6. In English and social studies, they have also hired 2-4 people.

Re: Thinking about getting my teaching cert - anyone done this?

I'm from Rockland ( I live in Queens now) and I was under the impression that it was hard to find a teaching job there- maybe not for high school?

Not to be discouraging, but I have to agree with the above poster about the certification process being a nightmare. There many hoops to jump through.

That being said, if you do decide to get your teaching degree, I suggest doing it the cheapest and quickest way possible. I would try a CUNY school or a program like Teach for America or Teaching Fellows. Good luck!

Re: Thinking about getting my teaching cert - anyone done this?

Its not an easy process by any means. But I would contact BOCES and find out exactly what you need to do in order to accomplish it.

Honestly, in this climate, I would never encourage anyone to go into teaching.

Thinking about getting my teaching cert - anyone done this?

Also keep in mind that you will have to student teach for a semester (some programs require two semesters), and you will be unable to work during that time.

Message edited 7/12/2017 7:20:56 PM.