Accepted to Princeton and I want to be a teacher... please read.

<p>Hi, </p>

<p>I was admitted to Princeton SCEA for the class of 2019 and I am ecstatic. However, instead of many Ivy League students who want to do something in consulting or "higher prestige" jobs, I am highly interested in education. I would like to be a high school math or science or music teacher at either a public high school or private school in the Northeast. I know that normally the consensus on going to an Ivy League school with plans to be a teacher is scorned on the CC because of the outrageous price, but...</p>

<p>... my family's EFC at Princeton is $0. All I would pay for my education is the $1100 I would earn through summer earnings and the $2900 work study, both of which I expect to pay for with outside scholarships. Now, Princeton does not have a true teacher certification program, but does offer a Certificate in Teacher Preparation. I know that in my home state of NY teachers have to have a Masters in Education to teach at a public school - is that the case for every high school in the Northeast? Would I be likely to get a teaching position at a private school with the Princeton degree under my belt? I am a URM and I know that often private schools are looking for URMs to teach as a diversity initiative. Basically, I'm just looking for some advice. My tentative plan at Princeton would be to double major in Geosciences and Music: the Geoscience degree encompasses all of the physical sciences I would teach at a high school level, and the Music degree I forsee being adequate preparation to teach music ( I am already an accomplished pianist and vocalist and would be focusing on them with my music degree.) </p>

<p>My mom thinks its a waste of a career and my potential to teach because at my high school, the teachers aren't exactly stellar. I could also see myself serving as a superintendent or other administrator as well. Basically, any advice would be very appreciated!
Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>First, congratulations! Second, teaching needs people like you. I applaud your desire to give back. I would advise any young person entering teaching to get a Master’s right way. It makes a huge difference financially.</p>

<p>The landscape of education is changing, and won’t look the same in four years. You’d be employable in many places with a Bachelor’s from Princeton in science, but deciding where you want to teach and who you want to teach is important. Think about your long-term options, and try to plan accordingly for your own financial future (state-sponsored retirement vs. Individual retirement planning, etc.) If you want to teach in a specific state or type of school, keep that front and center, and investigate your options. Teaching can be a financially viable career, but it takes careful planning to make that happen.</p>

<p>Finally, major in what you love, and keep your options open. And if you head into education, investigate options for loan forgiveness before doing anything else with your loans, if you wind up with them.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

<p>Sounds like a very good plan! I’m at UPenn right now to get my degree in teaching and there’s people in my program f from Yale, Penn, Dartmouth… certification is a very confusing, frustrating thing. I’m planning to return to NY and their process is very different than Pennsylvania’s. Ugh. Definitely look into that beforehand.</p>

As you can guess from my avatar, I’m a high school math teacher on Long Island, . And there’s not another career in the world for me.

As far as I know (sorry, it’s been a while) you can teach with your Bachelors for 5 years as you get your Masters. Check the NY State Board of Ed website for certification info.

And we absolutely NEED smart people in education. NO education is a waste, particularly an major which will allow you to influence others the way teaching does.

But do keep an eye on the job market. Music jobs are incredibly rare to find… think of the number of music teachers in each school compared with other fields. In terms of science, I’m pretty sure that in NY, you major in a particular type of science. Bio teachers are a dime a dozen, but if you can teach Chem or especially Physics, you’ll have a MUCH easier time finding a job. Likewise, if you’re prepared to teach high school math, you’ll find a less competitive job market.

But I will respectfully disagree with another poster, and suggest you not get your Masters right away. It makes you a more expensive job candidate, without the experience which would suggest that you’re good enough at teaching to warrant the extra expense. There are lots of school districts that simply can’t afford to spend extra money on a brand new teacher with a Masters but no job experience. In the current economic climate, lots and lots of teachers have been laid off… you’ll be competing with teachers who have experience. As a new teacher, one big advantage you bring to that competition is that you’re lower on the pay scale. I would be hesitant to suggest you give that advantage away.

The best of luck to you as you figure all this out, and Congrats on having such wonderful options to consider!!!

Few teachers at private boarding schools (don’t know about day schools) have education degrees. Almost all have advanced degrees in their field, many from elite schools.

It sounds like you have the passion for teaching which is awesome! I do too:) I’m currently a freshman in an outstanding teaching program that is nationally recognized. Because I have experience with the classes I’m going to advise you not to major in something unrelated to education. There is SO much behind these education classes that you may think you already know, but you don’t. It teaches you how to read the students, how to engage with them, and most importantly, how to educate them and not train them. You’re really missing out and doing a disservice to your future students if you do not major in education.

And no, you don’t need a masters to teach at every public school.

Also, don’t ever do anything for the money. Follow your interests and you’ll have a happy life! Similarly, don’t do anything for the title. May I ask why you are so set on Princeton when it doesn’t have your area of study? Have you considered other top schools with the top education programs such as Vanderbilt?

This would be a time when I’d say you shouldn’t listen to your mom. Work to prove her wrong. Teaching is a very special career that not everyone can do. You have to have the heart for it and you have to truly get it (understand it). It’s an amazing career and so rewarding. Don’t let anyone tell you what you should or should not be doing with your life:)

This link should help you decipher the requirements for the states you’re interested in: http://certificationmap.com/states/

I’m also in a teaching certification program- I’m actually looking to transfer to SUNY New Paltz to extend my certification. Anyway, as another poster aid there really is so much behind the education courses and a big thing with NYS is that if you did not come from an education program you will likely be audited. My mother had to go through an audit and in the end had to take almost a semester’s worth of additional classes.

@RKD89023 in NYS you actually do need a Masters degree to teach in a public school with the exception of a public charter school. You need to have a masters degree in anything within 5 years of completing your CERTIFICATION not bachelors.

I also am going to agree with bjkmom and say that you shouldn’t do a 5 year program because then districts have to automatically start you off on a higher pay scale (I’ve talked to many people about this)