<p>Hi everyone -- </p>
<p>not sure how this works in other states, but where I'm from (PA) if you get an advanced degree (ie. a MA and PhD in Poli Sci) you are eligible to teach (following the example, teach history) at private schools without getting an education degree.</p>
<p>Do you think that if I get a BA/BS in Psychology, and an advanced degree in IR, Psychology, or Anthro/Sociology, then that would be a good precursor for teaching Social Studies in a private school?</p>
<p>Just wondering. Thanks :)</p>
<p>My worry would be that with massive teacher layoffs going on, you may be competing for jobs against people who have the same sort of degrees and a teaching credential.</p>
<p>Look into programs where you can get a masters’ and teaching certification. At the very least, you should try for a GTA position so as to get some classroom experience.</p>
<p>Edit: I see that you’re a future undergrad, so the GTA thing is some years off ;)</p>
<p>When it comes to private schools, there can be all kinds of allowances made for those without a teaching certificate. In this area, when it comes to the independent schools, few of the teachers have a teaching certificate or and education degree. But many of them have masters in their subject of choice. There are even some PHDs in the mix. And, yes, those who majored in a particular subject. It’s a good idea to look at some schools in the area you are considering to make sure that you are marketable that way.</p>
<p>Agreed that you may have trouble getting a private school teaching gig without some prior teaching experience. Many states have some kind of alternative teacher licensing/certification process (quite a few created a path just in the past year or so in response to the Race to the Top funding available from the federal government). So that is worth looking into. Then you have the flexibility of starting in a public school if you need to, and can build up some teaching experience if necessary.</p>
<p>If you are still an undergrad, you might try applying to the Breakthrough Collaborative for a summer teaching experience. It will give you an idea of whether you really want to be a teacher or not.</p>
<p>Having an Education degree does not necessarily help you. A lot of schools do not like to hire first-year teachers with MAs in Education because that means they have to pay them more. </p>
<p>Honestly, whether or not you get hired as a teacher is all going to come down to your sample lessons that you give, and the type of “teacher presence” that you have in the classroom. Can you hold kids accountable and correct misbehaviors? Are you lively and energetic and engaging? It really doesn’t what kind of degree you have to be honest. Is your lesson structured correctly and effectively targets skills/concepts?</p>
<p>I am currently going through the job search process to be a No-Excuses charter school teacher, and to be frank no one really cares about your GPA, or your major, or your resume. It’s about whether or not you can get up in front of a group of kids and make them learn, plain and simple.</p>