D is looking at 2 schools.
Thoughts on strengths/weakness of the 2 approaches
Why on earth would you NOT want to be certified? You need some form of certification to teach.
I always advocate, strongly, AGAINST getting a Master’s before you have some teaching experience. The vast majority of schools determine pay based on a scale. The salary goes up with years of experience (vertical on the scale) and credits, normally in increments of 15 or 30, beyond BA.
A brand new hire with a Master’s is more expensive than one with a BA. Yet there’s no way to determine whether either one will experience success in the classroom; experience is the only way to determine that. We’ve all had teachers who knew the material but had no idea of how to manage a classroom full of kids.
Starting with a Master’s is asking a district or school to spend MORE money for the same unknown: a brand new teacher.
In this economic climate, I think it’s a risk better not taken. Thousands and thousands of teachers have been laid off in recent years-- many of them have the experience and the references to indicate that they will experience success in the classroom.
The one thing a brand new teacher brings to the table that an experienced teacher does not is that low price tag. Having a Master’s eliminates that advantage.
I realize that many states, my own included, require that you eventually get your Master’s. What every teacher I know has done is go back to grad school part time while teaching full time. It’s absolutely do-able.
Absolutely, go for choice #1.
In re-reading this morning’s post, I realize it comes across as far more vehement than it should. My apologies. While I obviously have a definite opinion on this matter, I certainly realize that others may disagree.
Of course, it’s hours too late to edit.
No worries about the rant. I appreciate the honesty of the opinion
She’s just prolonging having to go to school without having that certification. As bjkmom pointed out going in for a masters immediately is kind of a double edged sword.
I would have her do the certification 4 year program.
I’m in school as an education right now, and by you asking this question I assume your daughter is a junior or senior; she might change her mind in some way shape or form from here to then and it would suck to be stuck without anything in a sense and then bein forced to do a fifth year- what would her BA be in?
Another con to the second approach is that this way, as I mentioned above she’s forced to get a MAT; I’m actually transferring schools to one that has a b-6 program because I do not a Masters in education; but one is required in my home state.
(ps. sorry if this is kind of jumbled, just got up from a nap :p)
she ended up picking the school that allowed her to get certified in 4 years
I’m so glad!
I hope it’s the right choice in other aspects, but I strongly suspect it is from the “down the road” point of view.
You must be so relieved that this part of the process is over! My oldest is only 16; we’re just starting.
It was definitely the right choice. It felt right in many ways.
This was my my youngest so I really am done