I want to be a full fledged teacher but I need TONS of help...please look here..

I need help. This may be long but I am sure someone can help me out on this board..so please stay with me and read.

I have about 52 credits from a community college. I was enrolled in a joint program to get my teaching degree. When I got my associates, I was supposed to be able to transfer into Queens college no questions asked into their teaching program. But I got engaged, wedding plans took over, I was comfortable in my preschool teaching environment (I was head teacher of 3 year olds for years) and I stopped going to school. Now I want to return. I want to be a teacher. Not necessarily to teach in nyc public schools but in a private and/or catholic elementary school.

My time is limited though with my 16 month old. I am a SAHM now but would love to be able to teach when she goes to school. That gives me a few years to get finished. I was thinking of changing my major to psych and then going for my masters in elementary education. I know many people who have done this by going to school but I would love to complete my bachelors in psych online.

Does anyone know of any schools that offer this? What do you think the easiest and fastest way to become a teacher is? Do you think I should just stick with the original program and major in elementary ed (which will take me longer because I really dont have a sitter for the baby) or do you think I should major in something else and then master in teaching (I have heard private schools will hire you as long as your completing your masters meanwhile). Does anyone have any feedback as to what steps I should take?

I know I dont have a ton of credits but I do have something. My gpa when I stopped going to school was 3.75 and I actually enjoyed college. If you can point me in the right direction at all, I would be so grateful!!! Thank you so much!!

Re: I want to be a full fledged teacher but I need TONS of help...please look here..

if you want to major in psychology queens college would be a good place to start, they have day, nite and weekend classes in the major, so it is very flexible. im not sure if they do online courses in the major but i know QC offers a few.

I think its better to do the MAT program at QC becuase you would be done sooner than doing it in your undergrad. ( i went to QCC for 2 1/2 years and then QC for another 2 1/2 just for my bachloers)

i hope this helps and good luck!!

Re: I want to be a full fledged teacher but I need TONS of help...please look here..

Hi, I just came across your post & you sound like me about 8 years ago....I was working in the city & not enjoying my corporate job anymore & wanted to teach more than anything. At the time I only had my associates degree in business. I wanted the quickest way to teach.

I went to Queens (like Anna said I believe they do have babysitting for students' kids--I know they do at Hunter) & took Psych. At the time I was working FT so I went at night & summers & weekends. Not sure if they have anything online. I did take a number of courses at SJU online for courses in Administration Education.

I finally got my BA in 2001 in June & immediately started my Masters at Hunter (Early Childhood Ed). Yet that spring (while still not graduated w/ my bachelors) I went through the process to teach in catholic school (in Queens). I got on their list & then personally sent out my resume to each & every school besides. I got my first call the end of June & went for the interview & was hired on the spot. I know that is highly unusual, but the principal & I hit it off & at the time you only needed a bachelors (in ANY subject to teach in catholic school in the brooklyn diocese---I think this is truly the same now technically---although on interviews someone w/ teaching degree/working on their masters would probably have the upper hand). It pays to take the extra step & get in touch personally w/ the schools.

While I taught 2nd grade I was working on my Masters at Hunter---it took me about 4 years to get it while working FT. The positive w/ this too was I was able to student teach right at my job in my own classroom! (& then my principal worked it out for me to teach in the Pre-K in the afternoons for a few months). I took the cert tests while in the masters program.

Since then I've tried to teach in public school & sent out my share of resumes but nothing's ever come through. At this point though I truly love the private school environmnet, smaller classes, closer faculty, supportive parents and truly sweet kids. For me its worth it even though the pay is terrible.

This past year I made the jump to the Rockville Centre diocese & for this you needed a certain amt of credits towards your masters/ or in the teaching field...not sure exactly & I'm shot right now but you can check on the rockville Centre diocese page. BUT you also have the advantage of having taught before & this is impt to principals. Many want experience/specific masters for their early childhood programs.

In any respect I wish you the best of luck. There was a time I asked myself if I should even bother b/c it'll take so long & then I realized in 2 years/4 years I'll only be that much older, I might as well go for it. The time passed quick & now I couldn't be happier. FM me w/ any q's. Definitely GO FOR IT!

Message edited 1/4/2008 1:43:35 PM.

Re: I want to be a full fledged teacher but I need TONS of help...please look here..

My sister is also in the same situation as you.

She had an associates degree and worked in an office. She started to realize that it was not what she wanted, so she went back to Brooklyn College on weekends and at night and she'll be done with her BA in Psychology in a couple of semesters. After that, she will go straight into a school counseling program at Brooklyn, Hunter or LIU.

You CAN do this! I think that getting an online degree is a good place to start, but realize that there are programs that are flexible and offer weekend, summer and night courses.

Good Luck!

Re: I want to be a full fledged teacher but I need TONS of help...please look here..

Hey Noreen !!

Im happy to see that you eventually want to get back into it !
Youre too good a person for kids out there to miss out on YOU !

Im not much help in the education/degree department. Im trying to figure out a few things myself (I need extra classes to get special ed certified, since im only regular ed, which is useless )

but I wanted to add, not sure if you would consider it, but if I remember correctly, I think Queens college has babysitting for the students.
Not sure of the specifics, but if it was something that was a HUGE deciding factor for you, maybe you can go spend time there to get a feel for the workers, the environment, the programs, ask to speak to students that use the facility.
and I wouldnt underestimate it. I think QC has very high standards in everything they do... just a thought.

Im still here if you have other questions, I'll try to be helpful !