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Originally Posted by AchtungBaby80
You can do what I did and get a Master's degree with initial teaching certification. A lot of colleges have programs for this now, and even though it's an "alternative certification" route, you end up with your Master's as well so it's nice. Check with the colleges you're interested in and see what their requirements are--most of the ones I contacted had restrictions on what specialty field you could enter. For example, I couldn't just choose to enter the English master's program, because I have a bachelor's in fashion merchandising. If you wanted to teach English, you had to have a degree in either English, journalism, or something related. It was the same with math, science, and social studies. If it just so happened that you were hell-bent on teaching something totally unrelated to your bachelor's, though, you could do that...but you'd have to take some more undergrad classes to compensate for your deficiency in that area.
A word of caution, though--make sure it's what you really, really want to do. And make sure you choose a subject area that you could actually find a job in, because as some others have mentioned, there's an oversupply of certified teachers for certain areas. Be aware that teaching is more of a lifestyle than a job--you don't put in your 8 or 9 hours and then leave. There's faculty meetings, parent-teacher conferences, professional development, and other "extra" responsibilities that will require your time. Those summers off that you hear so much about are usually spent doing professional development, and if you need to take a sick day, you still have to make sure you have all the sub plans ready. I knew all of this going in because I have family members in the school system, but one thing I wasn't prepared for was the school environment--mainly, how teachers really have to watch what they say and do, and often aren't supported by the administration when something goes wrong. Those are things you have to be prepared to deal with. I've often heard it said that teaching is a "calling"--you really have to be dedicated to pull it off, and I completely agree. That is why I am a claims analyst now instead of an educator.  I'm not saying all this to put you off--by all means, if you've thought it through and truly believe that teaching is what you want to do, go for it! Many of the Master's programs for teaching are designed to take less than two years if you go full-time, and with some (like the one I went through) you are eligible to teach after you complete the first two education courses so you could be in the classroom in a relatively short time span. I wish you the best of luck with whatever you choose to do. |
Well said Achtung. I'd also like to add that even if teaching seems like a calling, the non-stop administrative micro management, the standardized tests, the apathy, the illegal activities (in high school), the lack of resources, the constant knocks (when kids have a bad day, they make the period all the more difficult to reach), and the generally questionable district-wide approaches to learning = desire to move out of the classroom. It's worth a try but even the most well-meaning teacher might find that the field is just not what she had hoped it would be.
BTW....I feel so guilty when I think about the mission of public education and my good students. As much as I think about continuing on "for the children" it's like punishment round 2. Nevertheless, for the right person, this career can be amazing. Go in with an open mind but expect all the stereotypes about public education to be more true than you ever imagined.