<p>For teaching...the place to go is an accredited program in the state in which you plan to teach. If it is your home state, a state university would be a good choice. If you do your teacher training in a specific state, you will end the process with the right courses to become certified in THAT state. Also, the advisors in that college will be able to guide you through the certification process in that state. If, for example, you go to UConn for education and then choose to teach in Pennsylvania, you would have to fulfill PA's teaching requirements, and certification standards. In this day and age, there is really no "reciprocity" between states for teacher certification. Regardless of where you go, you will be required (in most cases) to take the Praxis test in THAT state. So...you may as well try to go to college where you plan to teach. Oh...and the state U is the best with regard to cost.</p>
<p>Not to be a downer here, but I would be remiss if I didn't tell you the truth about what's going on. DD graduated from U. Delaware in May, Honors degree Summa cum laude, GPA 3.96, with a major in Elementary Teacher Ed. and a minor in History. She had spectacular scores on all her Praxis tests, has recommendations out the whazoo, and regardless of all this, can't even get an interview anywhere for a teaching position. She has sent out resumes galore, has called and e-mailed every position that shows up on the internet in Delaware, PA, MD or northern VA, and to date has had one interview at a school that was looking for a 4th grade teacher and a long-term sub. DD was offered the sub. position, but since it was for three different classes (3rd grade for 2-3 months, then 5th grade for 2-3 months, then LIBRARIAN for 2-3 months, all at "more than normal sub. rates but less than full teacher rates" and no benefits), she turned it down. To say that DD is frustrated would be an understatement. She has been assured that Philadelphia will have jobs available by the end of September when all the new teachers who were assigned to the nightmare schools quit, but DD wants to teach in a rural community, preferably with migrant worker children, so Phila. holds no appeal. For the last few years we've all been hearing about how school districts are looking for "highly qualified" teachers, but no one seems to actually be hiring them. Am I bitter? Yes, I regret to say I am. If my kid isn't "highly qualified," I don't know who is. Right about now she's saying that she's sorry she didn't get a teaching degree for HS math - that's where the jobs are today. Where will they be tomorrow? Who knows. DD got a terrific education at U.D., but that degree isn't doing her much good since no one in the tri-state area seems to be hiring. As one of my teachers back in HS used to say, "a word to the wise is sufficient."</p>
<p>If she would be interested, I know that Florida is desperate for teachers.</p>
<p>Just to add to the mix, Michigan State has a very highly regarded education department--one of the very best. Also be aware that teaching salaries vary greatly state by state. I have known young people who have gotten their first teaching jobs in the lower-paying states of north carolina and florida and then returned to their home states in the NE and were hired quickly (at significantly higher salaries) because they had valuable classroom experience. It is relatively easy to become certified in additonal states even though there isn't much reciprocity among the states. There is also a National Teacher Certification program that is relatively new, but is beginning to catch on.</p>
<p>A major advantage to getting a grad degree after getting a teaching post is that one can get certification an additional field within education, thereby broadening one's horizons, marketability, etc. For example, you could get a Master's in administration, counseling or take the course work to become a reading specialist, special educator, etc. This would not be an option if the first degree did not include the teaching certificate/credential. I think it's preferable to get that first teaching job and then decide about graduate work. Also, depending on where you are located, many schools pay for the advanced degree.</p>
<p>I am an elementary school teacher in NY. A few years ago I had the pleasure of working with a graduate of U of Scranton. She was extremely well prepared and had a fair amount of student teaching experience before graduating. This school is well regarded and might be a good fit for your high achieving friend. With her stats, she would be an excellent candidate for merit money.
Marcyr, I am sorry your daughter is having such a difficult time. I would like to suggest that she reconsider turning down sub jobs, even the ones that are out of the area she wants to teach. I have sat on candidate screening committees and know that in our competitive market (LI, NY), those with ANY teaching experience stand out over those with none. References from principals carry much more weight than references from college professors or the teachers the candidate student taught under. Subs in my building have to kill themselves to get noticed, but the ones that do get jobs. </p>
<p>In a competitive market, schools want to see that you have successfully worked in a school environment without supervision. </p>
<p>Conversely, in a market where there is a teacher shortage, you can be hired right out of college. My colleague had a student teacher this past spring. He wasn't a shining star, and my colleague gave him a mediocre reference (she was very honest). He went down to a hiring fair in Florida and was hired on the spot, with a signing bonus no less! My colleague was never even called for a reference. </p>
<p>I wish her the best of luck. She may still get something as many, many teachers get hired at the last minute, just before school starts. I wouldn't hurt to resend resumes directly to building principals--if they are in a hurry to hire someone, the hiring committee goes out the window!</p>
<p>Marcy, would your daughter consider relocating? I know we are hiring here in MA. Lots of job prospects.</p>
<p>Also, has she considered teaching in a private school? I was a teacher in my first career, and couldn't get a public school job (it was even more competitive in those years), so went private first. It was a terrific experience, even if I was poor as a church mouse. I still think about what fun that job was, and still keep in touch with some former colleagues and students (from over 25 years ago).</p>
<p>My niece graduated last year with her Bachelor's in elementary education in New Jersey (from Fairleigh Dickinson), she completed her Master's this May and is certified. She and several of her friends who also did the five year Master's just can NOT find jobs. Classmates who were certified in high school or math/science can pick and choose, bt it seems in some areas elementary is tough.</p>
<p>I haven't posted here in a while, but this is a topic I know a lot about since I am a teacher. First, I would second the recommendation that you look at strong state school programs. I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I started school and I also knew that it is not a particularly high paying field. I wanted to get the best education possible without saddling myself with a lot of debt. I feel like I got that at my state school (Mississippi State for reference). Teachers are paid solely on the level of degree they have and years of experience. Your salary will not vary based on where you got your education. Therefore, I would think twice about going somewhere extremely pricey unless it is for the experience of that school and the parents can afford to contribute enough that the debt ratio will be smaller. Granted, teaching salaries have improved a lot over the last ten years or so....but you still won't be wealthy by any means. I graduated college debt free because of scholarships so my first year $25,000 teaching salary was enough to get by on. (For the record, starting salary in my state of Alabama is now in about the $32,000 range.) State schools do tailor their requirements to the state certification requirements, but it's not that hard to get certification elsewhere. When I graduated in Mississippi, I obtained certification in both Mississippi and Alabama because I was looking for jobs in both places. Once she is teacher and has a certificate, many states have reciprocal agreements...meaning that if you submit your certificate from your current state they will issue you one in that state with minimum hassle. </p>
<p>A couple more thoughts....some one mentioned that districts like to hire teachers with just a bachelor's degree because they are cheaper. I heard this the entire time I was in school so I suppose it must be true somewhere. However, I found it to not be the case. I got a job with just a bachelor's degree and then got my master's part time while I taught. I then took two years off to work on a doctorate full time. When I returned to teaching, I got a job with a master's degree. After completing my Ph.D., I moved to Alabama and got a job in an elementary school with a Ph.D. Quality districts will want the best possible person. They love to say that x percentage of their teachers have a master's degree or higher. It is going to vary based on the district so don't let that scare you.</p>
<p>A little more advice... if she is looking into high school teaching then I would recommend getting a degree in math or science or history, etc. If she is looking into elementary then I would go ahead and get the bachelor's degree in elementary ed. As an elementary teacher you have to teach all of the subjects. An elementary ed program has a huge diversity of courses required in all subject areas (tell her not to count on having electives...you don't have any because of all of the requirements). You typically also have two concentration areas where you have to have at least 18 hours in two different subjects. I chose math and English so I have 18 hours of each. The benefit of having that elementary degree is that (as someone pointed out) you can then get a master's in another field of education and diversify yourself. You may have an elementary ed degree and then a master's in counseling or library science or special ed which will open the door for you to be certified in more areas. After twelve years of teaching elementary school she may decide that she wants to be a counselor or a principal. My bachelor's is in elementary but my master's and Ph.D. are in gifted education. I currently teach gifted, but I could always return to the regular classroom if I chose. It just gives you options.</p>
<p>Lastly, some one mentioned the difficulty their child had in finding a job right out of school. In desirable areas, that is very much the case. In my district it is difficult to get a job without teaching experience because they have so many applicants wanting to get in. Experience is key. Many people long term sub in my district which gives them an in for when a job opens up. The other option is to teach in a district that may not be your ideal choice but gives you experience. I taught for three years in a district that is consistently in trouble with the state for low test scores. There was no parent involvement whatsoever and our kids had lots and lots of problems (think 6th grader who gets pregnant because her mom is prostituting her out). However, I learned a LOT in those three years. I feel like I really made a difference in those kids lives and I got some great experience. I almost hated to leave when I moved to Alabama. That original district was always DYING for teachers at all levels. Everybody fled each year to go to the surrounding county districts that had more "desireable" kids. Tell her to broaden her search. After gaining some experience she should be able to get in anywhere she wants.</p>
<p>if anyone is looking to get a job and they dont mind teaching in long island im going to mention my school i attend personally(Im still a student but i thought this would be a good place to mention it) Vincent Smith school there always looking for new people to hire even this late in the summer(2 1/2 weeks till school) its private and u would have to work w/ adhd/add/ld kids but u dont need a special ed teaching degree...they accept everything its 5-12th...if ne one wants nething were at vincentsmithschool.org...its more at a demand 4 hs teachers but im sure theres ms and lower school posistions available its a really small school 86/5-12</p>
<p>For finding jobs in elem. edu. to ditto what's been said, the mid-Atlantic region is pretty competitive and if you want to stay there you should take a sub position as that is the way to get the foot in the door. (or do private/parochial school route)
Also consider relocating. It's talked about for business careers, but it's very true for education...some areas of the US have more than enough applicants and others go begging...so do some research & maybe your D will need to relocate for that first teaching job.</p>
<p>Try these long island private schools: VSS(mentioned above) Waldorf school(a little extra training needed but still)and the Greenvale schooL i either go/went/know people who go to these schools and r amazing schools vss is 5-12 waldorf is nursery-12(went during nursery sister went n-12 other sister went k-5th and i have a bunch of friends who either went or go to this school still) and greenvale is nursery-9th grade if u want</p>
<p>Thanks to all who responded to DD's plight. I know that there are jobs out there, you just have to be in the right place to find them. Unfortunately, DD really doesn't want to relocate from the general tri-state area due to a very deep attachment to her voice teacher (not what you expected, right? You thought I was going to say "boyfriend"!). This is one of those teachers who truly made a difference in DD's life, and she wants to stay close enough to continue studying with her if at all possible. If DD doesn't find a teaching position, she will submit applications for subbing jobs (Plan B) - she recognizes the need to get experience in order to (hopefully) be hired next year. The good news, however, is that she called and left a message on my answering machine earlier today to say that she has an interview late this afternoon for a 6th grade position somewhere in Northern VA, where she's currently visiting with her brother and job hunting. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the next phone call will be one to say that the interview went well, and it isn't yet time to move on to Plan B. I'll let you all know how this plays out.</p>
<p>I am posting in this old thread again so maybe some of you very knowledgeable posters will return. My daughter and I are planning our spring break college trip. I will list the schools and hopefully will get some feedback. Right now, she has her heart set on becoming an elementary teacher in grades K-3. But she also has an interest in deaf education and math. Some of her choices are: College of Charleston, Elon, Clemson, UNC Asheville, East Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, UNC Wilmington, High Point, Furman, Guilford, U of Mary Washington, Vanderbilt(big reach). In state possibilities are Rollins, U of Tampa and Florida Gulf Coast. I know that the list is too long and all over the board. She wants to stay in a "warm" state and prefers a medium sized school. I know some of the schools on her list are large and in rural areas. But she has never visited any colleges, so she is not sure what she wants. Also, she does not want a religious school. Are there any schools we have missed? Should she leave the south to find better choices? thanks</p>
<p>Even though it is a large school, I would suggest looking at UGA.</p>
<p>In many NJ towns, it doesn't matter a bit where you went to school. Is she related to a politician? If not, she should start right now getting active in politics.....hosting candidate teas for the incumbent in her home during elections, attending UNICO, Rotary, Elks functions. Don't forget prominent signs on her lawn & volunteering to hand out campaign literature.</p>
<p>Stickershock?? Dogwood, thanks for your response. We will check out U. of Georgia.</p>
<p>candace, I'm not exaggerating. This is how hiring is done in every NJ town I've lived in. I wish that weren't the case. Just about every BOE member has a spouse who is either a teacher, politician, or BOE employee.</p>
<p>oh, I am glad we live in the south where teachers are needed.</p>
<p>Ideal school would be: about 6,000 students, most students live on campus, large number of out of state students, not religious, small classes and nice campus. As for academics, placement in elementary schools before senior year. I think experience in the classroom is very important for hiring down the road. She would like to stay in the south, but if a great school was out of our area it might sway her to look further. There must be a school that we have missed!</p>
<p>I would recommend one of the NC school's candace. Wake County has had historic growth and CANNOT get enough teachers or administrators. I also know in my mom's neck of the woods, Jacksonville FL, subs are NOT required to even have a BA/BS. As one of the largest districts in the country, and fastest growing in the state, Wake is in need of teachers. If you want REALLY warm, Vegas (NV) is also experiencing tremendous growth.</p>
<p>Kat</p>