Question about teaching certificate

noir_blood

I'm in Texas if that matters. Especifically UTD.

I went to talk to the Teachers Development advisor today, just to get a general feel of how I'm doing and what else I need to take. The good news is that if I keep on track, I should be out my teaching certificate in about a year(dependent on taking at least 12 hours a semester plus a summer class or two)

The thing that caught me offguard though was their requirements for the certificate. While I was aware I was going to have to do some student teaching, I didn't know until today that they require a full semester of it, doing it full time, and I don't get pay for it. They also recommend we don't take any other classes or work during this time.

Considering I work full time and have rent, car payments and other bills, I find this to be daunting.

Is this pretty much the norm everywhere if I want to get certified? I mean, I thought it would be half time, or something, but definately didn't see this coming.

If this is the only way, then I guess I have to rely on my financial aid, but I don't think I get nearly enough to live off it for three months.

ethicalsean

Are you majoring in education?

You can always major in a subject in college (math, history, biology, etc) and then just run through an Alternative Certification Program. Generally, you pay some amount of money up front ($1000 or more) take a series of classes, pass the content exam & PPR, and then find a district willing to employ you. You then pay the full amount of the certification program as you work your first year of teaching (paid).

Edit: This is for teaching in Texas. Certification requirements vary from state to state.

noir_blood

Yeah, the program is Literary Studies along with a teacher certificate. I know there's obviously different ways to get certified, so that's why I posted this. I might just end up seeing about getting a normal degree then..the funny thing is that would move up my graduation date, as I pretty much have education classes left.

ethicalsean

noir_blood wrote: »

Yeah, the program is Literary Studies along with a teacher certificate. I know there's obviously different ways to get certified, so that's why I posted this. I might just end up seeing about getting a normal degree then..the funny thing is that would move up my graduation date, as I pretty much have education classes left.

Yeah, it certainly helps to come out of college certified, but ACPs have really changed things. English is usually in demand due to our large immigrant population and TAKS testing (although this may change if we go to end of course exams in the state). On the flip side, when you student teach, if they like you, they're more willing to hire you on at the school you were working at.

I will say this though, if you want a job the second you leave school... you go special education. Your sanity may not last two years in special education (ohohoh we've gone over nouns for six months and you kids still can't tell me what they are *sob*), but it will get you a job. Math certs as well.

Kato

My wife just graduated last year and is teaching this year...almost done with her first year. She had to student teach for a full semester, just like you said. It sucks...badly. Especially for people like you that depend on your own income. My wife was lucky in that we could survive on my income and a little savings we had. She really liked the school that she student taught at and they liked her enough to give her a job there. The student teaching in no way really gets you prepared for a classroom of your own, but it is a good start. Good luck with it man...it is not easy one bit at all. Too many people take teaching for granted and don't realize the trials and tribulations that teachers go through.

Unknown

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Judge-Z

As others have said, a full semester of unpaid student teaching is par for the course in most states - NY here. Essentially, it's an unpaid internship, and you should get full college credit for it (at my university, it was a full 15 credits).

I have been the cooperating teacher now for five student teachers, and honestly, I see a marked difference in student teachers that work during the week in addition to student teaching. I know (having done it myself) that it is financially daunting, but it is also an incredibly exhausting experience. You will have nights where you need to grade papers, plan lessons (you won't have 12+ years of past lesson plans to pull from like I do if you're swamped with work or life issues, you'll be creating everything brand new), contact parents, or simply sleep, as however many planning periods you get in a day won't be enough. That's why outside work is discouraged. The student teacher I have now is only working part time, but insanely late hours, and he's exhausted, has a hard time showing any enthusiasm, and frequently isn't totally prepared for class until the last minute. Not a good way to go, especially since I know he could be better if he were rested, but I have to evaluate him on what he shows me, not what he might be capable of.

As another poster said, student teaching is like an extended job interview - you want to be able to dedicate all your energy towards it and do as well as possible. My school would rather hire someone we've seen teach, and know would do well - we have a priority list of former student teachers we'd love to hire if we have any openings. In addition, your cooperating teacher/ principals of the schools you work in likely has a network of colleagues with whom they can put in a good word for you. I will absolutely go to any length for my top student teachers in order to get them jobs.

One alternative, if you must work, would be to limit work from Friday night to Sunday afternoon. I delivered pizzas, for example, and could clear some decent tips on the weekends. It leaves no time for a social life, but pays the bills (or minimizes debt) and it's only for one semester.

I do NOT recommend going down any path that certifies you without any real experience in front of kids. You'll lack vital experience in managing time, classroom management, planning, or content needed to be taught. Retention rates of teachers certified without a rigorous student teaching experience are ridiculously low - in a profession that already sees 50% of teachers leaving the job in 5 years or under. Also, depending on the job market in your area, schools would be much more likely to hire/retain a teacher who has a full certificate rather than one granted on an emergency or provisional basis.

I sympathize with you if the requirements of your program caught you off guard - your school failed utterly in making sure you understood what was expected before you started the program. I'll give my school credit - they were brutally honest about the expectations they had, and the consequences should we fail to have fulfilled them, before we sat down for the first day of our education classes. It helped that teacher prep was one of my school's best programs.