looking into masters in teaching

SO, I am an OT, and while I do like it, I think I was meant to be a teacher!

I know this is not a good time for teachers with excessing, common core, etc, etc. (I am an excessed OT!) But I still am interested in at least finding out what it would take to get into teaching.

I have been online looking at different programs. I am interested in a lot of things - early childhood ed, childhood ed, special ed, gifted ed, ESL, reading..... and so I am kind of overwhelmed and confused.

If I do end up doing this, I would like to go to school in Suffolk. Anyone have any advice about what schools/programs are best? TIA!

looking into masters in teaching

I got my masters in Elementary Ed from Hofstra. Touro and St. Joseph's have good programs from what I've heard. Also St John's has a graduate campus where LaSalle was in Oakdale. It took me about two years. Each class had 15 hours of observation in a classroom to go with them, plus a semester of student teaching. I also had to take a test instead of writing a thesis.

I got my masters 6 and a half years ago. I have been a perm sub for the majority of that time, and have had three leave replacements. My district is excessing Special Ed for the first time this year as well. Gifted programs are being cut everywhere. ESL or literacy might be your best bet. Ironically I wish I would have gone for OT, PT or Speech.

looking into masters in teaching

My honest opinion would be to save your money. By the time you get into a district, you'll be on a bad union tier, plus they're talking of changing tenure in a major way.
However, if you are going to pursue this, see someone in the certification office in Stony Brook and go where the tuition is least expensive. Their programs are good, and they place well on Long Island. You'll be in a 30-36 credit program, plus you won't be able to work during 1 semester of student teaching. Check out the cost first.

Re: looking into masters in teaching

I got my masters in teaching at Stony Brook in 2007. It was a second career.

I won't recount the whole path I took but we'll just say that I did it all - sub, permanent sub, TA, leave replacement, extended unemployment - before landing a job with the DOE. It wasn't pretty.

While I do love teaching, based on what others have already mentioned I kind of want to tell you to run but that won't actually answer your questions.

Whether or not it's worth it would probably depend on how badly you want it and what other opportunities you have.

You would need to be prepared for potentially years of unemployment but if you don't mind that or if you are looking for a job in your other field anyway that might not be a factor.

There are so many reasons not to but if it's something you will always wonder about, something you will always wish you tried (that was how it was for me) then maybe it is worth it.

The MA at Stonybrook was about 15k in 2007. I had great professors and no major issues with coursework other than a few heavy workload classes that I just made sure I spread out so I didn't have too much on my plate at once since I worked full time until student teaching. It was a good program and all, but in my student teaching class of 9 only one had a permanent job immediately after (DOE). The second most permanent situation was me with my semester long LI leave. Everyone else was still looking at the time.

I would consider whether you are willing to work in the city. Even that got tight for a while but it is starting to open up again as people leave for a variety of reasons that I would rather not get into here. (PM if you would like to know more.) My point is, it will be a lot easier to get a job in the city so if you don't mind making the trek that might make going for teaching more attractive as it opens the field of opportunities.

HTH!

Message edited 4/27/2014 11:30:15 PM.

looking into masters in teaching

If you are going to go into any of those areas I would say special ed. I teach in the city and new special ed teachers have been hired the last couple of years. GL

Re: looking into masters in teaching

Thank you, everyone, for your input. Jenn P, I really hear what you are saying - it may not be the BEST job to get into right now, but it might just be what's in my heart! And thank you for the recs about Stony Brook. I kind of had my eye on the south shore schools, but SB is definitely something to look into.

Thank you!!!

Re: looking into masters in teaching

If you do it, go to a public college and university and save some money. It's very expensive!