anyone (or their wife/friend) a teacher?

**daver** · 11-06-2006, 04:27 PM

I am trying to decide between graduating with just a degree at the end of this next summer, or to go three more semesters and end up with the degree, plus a minor, and a high school social sciences teaching cert. in Colorado.

A big thing I am wondering though, is how many other states will I be able to teach at without taking more than another class or two? I have heard Idaho and Colorado have pretty compatible teaching standards, but other than that I am totally clueless and can't find any information online.

thanks

**climb2ski** · 11-06-2006, 04:48 PM

lots of teachers here... Well at least 2

**Brock Landers** · 11-06-2006, 06:44 PM

Take the classes, even if you dont have to take it, usually you get paid more if you have another degree or have taken more classes. Something like that.

**Mex** · 11-06-2006, 06:58 PM

I can only comment on the Canadian end of things. Essentially what it boils down to is: more courses=more pay

Up here you can move between provinces, but you have to write some test or a take a course or something if you have an out of province teaching certificate. It's not really that big a deal, just more of a money grab as the test/course is usually something like $300-$500.

**Wysplit_ride** · 11-06-2006, 07:22 PM

Teaching is a good deal. Both my wife and I make a living at it. Good vacations, good benefits, steady work but work little. Nine months of work...shawwww I will take it.

In order to teach in other states you will have to go through their state license requirements for certification. I image you have to get credits ever five years in order to renew your certificate as well.

**dk_alaskan** · 11-06-2006, 07:29 PM

Alaska has similar teaching standards i believe and they are always looking for teachers.

**MonkeyBear** · 11-06-2006, 07:49 PM

My Girl has her BS and is going back to get her teaching certificate. She found a program in which she can work during the day and take one class a week at night and meet in two times a week for a study group, I think it takes about a year or so. Nice for her so she can still work in the business world, till she is all done.

My suggestion finish up, do what ever it takes, teaching is muy importante

**Plakespear** · 11-06-2006, 09:47 PM

I'm basically the only person in my family who is NOT a teacher, and I know that in NY you need to get a masters within 2 years of starting a teching job in NY. A lot of schools will help pay for this, though.

My sister used to teach in New Orleans, and a few people I know teach in N. Carolina. Seems they requirements aren't as high down south, but neither is the pay.

**4matic** · 11-06-2006, 10:00 PM

Teaching is like real estate. Location, location, location. Teach at a nice school with parental support and it's cool. Teach in an urban area at your peril. "They're animals Kotter." I know many old teachers that have taken early retirement because they were tired of being disrespected by punks.

Get a masters and teach Community College..

How about Combat pay:

"Shelleda said the union would be open to ideas that keep veteran teachers in tough classrooms, especially as an alternative the merit-pay plan that the governor had been pushing."

http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_110192743.html

**acostiga** · 11-06-2006, 10:28 PM

our pay scale out in montana pays more for any related credits earned beyond your BA. not that the difference in pay is that great though... as a 2nd year teacher, my monthly student loan payments are about 3x as much as the monthly increase in my base pay for having a graduate degree. we don't get paid much in MT. also, prolly want to be sure you have a clear path to the state certification regardless of what path you choose- many states have reciprocal agreements.

**jon turner** · 11-06-2006, 10:30 PM

I'm actually finishing up the three semester program you're talking about. You might want to check out the Master's plus program as well. Gets you a master's and a license in four semesters. My only advice might be to wait a year, do some work with kids and make sure you really want to teach. No real reason to get the teaching license unless you are actually going to teach. But, if you are set on teaching, then that's the way to go. I'm finishing up my student teaching right now, and I'm really enjoying teaching. As far as looking for requirements to get licensed in other states, go to the CU ed. school and I'm pretty sure they have all the information you need there, or they can at least point you where to look. I seem to remember flipping through a book that ran down the requirements for each state. If I remember right, Colorado had some of the more stringent requirements; there were at least some that were much easier to get licenses in. I'd talk to one of the ed. counselors at CU; they know their shit pretty well and can give you some good advice as to what you might choose to do.

**daver** · 11-06-2006, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by jon turner

I'm actually finishing up the three semester program you're talking about. You might want to check out the Master's plus program as well. Gets you a master's and a license in four semesters. My only advice might be to wait a year, do some work with kids and make sure you really want to teach. No real reason to get the teaching license unless you are actually going to teach. But, if you are set on teaching, then that's the way to go. I'm finishing up my student teaching right now, and I'm really enjoying teaching. As far as looking for requirements to get licensed in other states, go to the CU ed. school and I'm pretty sure they have all the information you need there, or they can at least point you where to look. I seem to remember flipping through a book that ran down the requirements for each state. If I remember right, Colorado had some of the more stringent requirements; there were at least some that were much easier to get licenses in. I'd talk to one of the ed. counselors at CU; they know their shit pretty well and can give you some good advice as to what you might choose to do.

thanks. i actually have a lot of experience with kids already through a lot of coaching and some volunteer tutoring.

**dk_alaskan** · 11-07-2006, 02:49 AM

working in the school system is a WHOLE different ball game. I ta'd then taught for a while to see if this what i really wanted to do. I love working with the troubled kids, but i hate the system and from what i saw, there is little change in site. Teachers do NOT get paid 1/3 what they are worth, that is why i got out of that game, I was not seeing or feeling the love from the up above's. It has been a VERY hard decision on me not to be working with kids, BUT i had to do it for me.

My .02 worth, take jon turners advice, take some time and work in the system where you are getting paid and having to deal with all the bureaucracy, teachers unions, and fellow teachers themselves. Make sure you are working with a population you plan to for your tenure as a teacher and in the area you are planning to. you might get a whole different view than what you have now. Some states will let you teach w/o a cert for about a year or two.

some things to think about

Skol

**snowsprite** · 11-07-2006, 07:32 AM

I'm thinking about switching over to teaching too. I highly recommend doing a lot of substitute teaching first...at every level and as much as you can. Even if you have tutored and done other work w/ kids, get that classroom experience...it is very different from anything else.

I did sub teaching pretty extensively for a time several years ago when I finished college, and I found out that I can work really well with severely developmentally affected kids, kindergarteners, and middle schoolers. But I really want to choke high school kids. Good to know!

I most enjoyed substituting for this one special education middle school class where the kids were wearing protective helmets, could barely speak some of them, and were learning at maybe a pre-school or kindergarten level at beest. I worked with an aide to teach them some very basic skills, and it was very challenging. I did this for a few weeks. It was very rewarding and I hated to leave.

But anyway I digress. I just wanted to say definitely get experience w/ kids but try to make it in a classroom and as a sub. If you can handle being a sub, because they will be BRUTAL on ya, then you can probably handle teaching full time. But most importantly, you will find out whether or not you really *like* doing it or not.

Good luck!

Sprite

**nopainnojane** · 11-07-2006, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by daver

A big thing I am wondering though, is how many other states will I be able to teach at without taking more than another class or two? I have heard Idaho and Colorado have pretty compatible teaching standards, but other than that I am totally clueless and can't find any information online.

thanks

My wife is a teacher here in Denver for DPS, she went to school in Indiana and was all set up to teach there, Then got a job in South Dakota, before finally making the move to Colorado. I do not think that she had to take any additional classes to make those moves, although she did have to get certified with each state. The only exception that I am aware of in New York, that was mentioned above with the Masters requirment.

**Kya** · 11-07-2006, 09:27 AM

Some good advice here. If you are unsure, I would agree with trying the substitute thing to see if the classroom is where you want to be.

Basically every state has its own system of certification. Some states overlap and switching between is no big deal. Some states will require at least a test of some kind for current certification.

Teaching is A LOT of work. During the school year, you will be busting ass 24/7. The work is still statisfying and rewarding but, don't think for a second that teaching is easy and summers off are what its all about.

**igBand** · 11-07-2006, 09:29 AM

Daver,
Both my wife and I are teachers. I am no longer in k-12 (in higher ed now), but am planning on going back to the elementary classrooms soon.
Just to echo wysplit_ride's comments...great vacations, great hours, great benefits, and not to sound too cheesy, but rewarding in one way or another in just about any environment in which you end up working.
Another big selling point: Teachers are needed just about everywhere. That leaves a lot of options as to where you end up choosing to live your life.

**Yeti** · 11-07-2006, 09:45 AM

My sheyeti is a teacher, high school biology. She works damn hard, harder than me during the school year on average, but does get good time off in the summer. Still, her schedule during the school year is relatively inflexible. My advice would be that teaching isn't easy, and you shouldn't do it for the perks -- do it because you love to do it.

**zhing zhing** · 11-07-2006, 10:13 AM

There is a 40-state consortium for licensure, meaning that if you certify in one, you will be able to certify in another. The new state may ask you to take an extra "content" class or two, but not any more education classes--and you will be able to work while taking these (online, or wherever).

Or, before committing to a whole certification program, take a couple of education classes, graduate, and get a job with a "provisional" certificate, which is good for three years in most states. See if you like the job. A lot of people get into teaching thia way.

As said above, the schedule is cool, in the summer, but unrelenting in the school year. Skiing only really on weekends or until Winter/Spring break rolls around. Of course, depending on where you are, that may be more than what you can get in now.

I taught for six years and I'm glad I did it, but I'd rather have more time to ski to be honest. Why else live in a ski town?

**Skidancer** · 11-07-2006, 10:52 AM

I am currently teaching in Colorado. Moving from SoCal, I had to do nothing except apply for my credential here. I love teaching, and cannot imagine doing anything else that I enjoy so much. The pay's not bad considering you only work 9 months (counting vacations as off).

I have managed to be in the best of both worlds: I ski A LOT because right now I am substitute teaching and can take days off whenver I want to (like during those wonderful CO powder days!)

**igBand** · 11-07-2006, 11:00 AM

Another route:
Many states are also now offering peer-reviewed alternative licensure. Requirements are less rigid than standard/provisional certification, but you will need to demonstrate competencies.
And Yeti makes a great point: Do it cause you love it. There is nothing worse that seeing a teacher who hates teaching and is just going through the motions.