I'm looking for everyone's advice. I'm considering becoming a math specialist/teacher in the private school where I work as a TA. I already have a bachelor degree in another subject, and need to obtain teacher certification in math. A lot of teacher certification programs requires student teaching, but I don't think I will quit my current job to work for free. It looks I have only two options, enrolling in a master's program in math teaching, seeking certification later, or taking whatever math courses needed for certification. I prefer a master's degree, but the latter will get me certified in math teaching sooner. What would you recommend? Also I have a strong background in math, could I take some competency based tests instead of courses?
i already called WGU last Friday, since I couldn't quit my teaching job to do student teaching, my only option is the masters program in math teaching without certificate, which doesn't require student teaching. But they asked me to pay every six months, finish as many courses as possible during that time period. I work full-time, really don't want to stress myself out. I prefer those programs that can allow me to take my time, collect enough credits hours and receive a degree by tests or online courses.
I have yet to find an online program that allows you to simply take your time. I have also not yet found a state that will allow you to teach middle school or high school without doing student teaching. A masters would qualify you for college though.
It's interesting that primary/secondary schools require their teachers to have teaching credentials and experience while universities don't. -=Steve=-
A co-worker of mine did this late last year. He had undergrad and grad degrees in computer science and then decided to become a teacher. His main goal was to make life more simple for their family, cut down on the commute, have more family time, and get the heck out of corporate life. He enrolled in a popular teacher cert program at a nearby university. Once through the coursework, he started the student teaching. He was able to make a deal with everyone, including work. Part of the deal was to do student teaching on his vacation days, Fridays, etc. He bought an extra week of vacation last year for this purpose. Finally, near the end of the year he took off 3 weeks to wrap it up. He already had a job lined up at a high school. He started teaching calculus and algebra there and tells me that life never looked so good. The negative is that he took nearly a 50% paycut. Yet, his wife makes a good salary making the transition much easier. He has nothing but wonderful things to say about leaving the corporate world behind. He says he should have done this years ago. He tells me his family life has never been better. Bing
Unless some other state is different, I think you'll be hard pressed to find any student teaching stints that are paid. However, you might be able to get some sort of honorarium or scholarship award. It's worse than even doing it for free. I believe that my wife had to actually do free student teaching and then pay for the credits, too. Pennsylvania requires either student teaching completion or an internship doing student teaching. Any state I have lived in requires the same. My niece finished a program in Illinois. Same there, too. The bottom line would be to ask yourself how badly you want to be a teacher. It's certainly a worthy goal. Next, ask yourself if you are able to do the required work, with financial considerations, to achieve this. If it is just impossible to do 12 weeks, or more, without pay then a teaching license is not in the cards. Best wishes for your in trying to attain your dreams. Bing
Sorry I didn't make myself clear. It's not like I cannot afford to do 12 weeks or more of student teaching. I just don't want to quit a full-time teaching job to do student teaching.
Since you are already teaching full-time, is it possible to use your current employment to fulfill the student teaching requirement? Have you talked with your current employer?
I work in a special education school with special needs children. It's not where the math certification program wants me to do student teaching.
