That is good to here.

Do Math and Science teachers get paid more than other subject teachers?

Or does it go on the school and your experience?

While having a Business degree I don't really posses any experience in the field as since graduation in 2009 I have mostly traveled the world and pondered what I wanted to do in life.

Now I think I am def gonna do the TeacherReady program. They can help me get placed in a International School abroad to do my field experience.

Also I really love how the state of Florida has a review site for every subject and the content subject tests only being 80 questions! They do a great job of breaking down every aspect of the test making studying a lot easier.

Only downside is the cost of taking the Exams is $480! I hope this means the regular 3 combined that people normally take. $480 for each test is quite steep. Hopefully each core subject exam will only cost 150 - 200 dollars.

After looking over the Mathematics for grades 6-12 http://www.fl.nesinc.com/PDFs/Math6-12_ ... 050610.pdf I think I could learn that within 6 months if I tried.

I feel like the best thing to do if head over to Korea for 1 year and study / take and pass these subject(s).

Mathematics k - 12 (I wonder if I would need to take the 5-9 math test if I can pass the 6-12 one?)

If time permits Business k - 12, and Physical Education k - 12.

As an young athletic guy that loves sports ect the Physical Education position would be best fit for me! Id love teaching that abroad but those jobs are probably few and far between.

Thanks for the advice guys!

My background is in Business.

So I guess I will just do the Elementary cert and also do the Middle Grades Math and/or Generalist and hope for the best.

Where would be the best place/location to look for first time employment in a tier 3 school in my situation where I could save some money?

Prob is irrelevant as I will more than likely have to take the first decent offer I can get, regardless of location.

I suppose ideally I would like to go to Korea in July and do the TeacherReady program and do the field experience at an IB school in which ever city I am living in and then they offer me job.

Doubt Ill get that lucky though :)

Now I am quite unsure what to get certified in.

So you are saying Elementary and Middle School Generalist would be better than Middle Grades Math.

What about Secondary Social Studies?

I just want to pick something that will not take a lot of time to study for but at the same time I need to pick something that will get me hired.

I think a good thing about me is id be willing to go anywhere starting out so long as I can save some decent money.

Then look to relocate to Colombia after getting some experience and making contacts in the schools in Colombia.

Or there is the other option of just getting my MA TESOL and working in Universities abroad.

@wannateach

Are you subbing / TA'ng or is your school allowing you to teach while you get your certification? I am confused lol

What area are you doing with TeacherReady? I guess I could do both elementary and middle grades generalist. Im pretty sure there is no limit so long as you pay the money for the tests and can pass them.

Maybe I could, but I like to air on the side of caution.

I know a girl with only a middle grades math hired to teach in Cali Colombia from the NorIowa job fair.

So I assume you were just exaggerating when you said that alone will not get one hired and that you would advice people to get more broader certs.

There is numerous ways one can impress a recruiter. Either make a great impression or take lesser desirable jobs to get experience and a nice reference. Neither are full prof, gotta work with what you have.

I wont be getting any secondary math cert (9-12). My options I am eyeing are

1) Middle Grades Math
2) Elementary Education

Does being a guy help for Elementary?

Which one of those would be better and make it easier for me to land a job?

I did not consider needing to be finished with and cert in hand by December.

This is really gonna put a wrench in my plans as I need to take immediate action NOW.

Only issue with that is I wouldnt be able to teach myself middle grades math that fast imo by the end of the summer. Unless I can do my field experience without having passed the subject area test. I am not even sure if that is feasible / allowed.

How long is the typical field experience with alt cert programs?

This is a little concerning to hear.

I need to find a cheap program that I can finish online that has a short field experience requirement.

Dios mio!

edit:

Now thinking about it, I know of teachers going to the job fairs in Jan/Feb that are graduating in the spring / May and still getting hired.

Maybe that could be an option.

I asked this in my other thread but thought this needed its own thread as it will be of great benefit to me and others I presume.

I am looking to get certified (in middle grades math most likely) through an alternative certification program.

My question is what are some of the best ones for Americans in regards to time and money?

The one I plan on going with right now is TeacherReady out of Florida which can be completed in 9 months online at a cost of 5k.

I hold residency in NC so that limits me due to the cost of out of state tuition at some Universities ect. The FastTrack program out of George Mason looks great (one summer completion) but im sure it would be very expensive for me!

All info will be much appreciated, thanks!

@PsyGuy

Well I picked it because it appeared to be the best program / option. ie online, 9 months, 5k USD ect.

Which programs would you recommend that are better. If there is better ACP 's I would love to hear them.

Admittedly I didn't spend a lot of time researching alt cert programs as the TeacherReady program looked very appealing to me.

I do not think I could teach myself math AND science the first go around as math alone looks like it will take some work to get back up to speed. (Last math class was almost 6 years ago)

Ok guys. So after a year of throwing around many ideas I have decided to go ahead and get licensed / certified to pursue my dream of living abroad.

I will be doing the TeacherReady program that is based out of Florida.

I plan on getting certified in a high needs area (math / science). Which one would you all recommend out of Middle Grades Mathematics and Mid - HighSchool Biology?

As of now, I plan to be heading to Korea in July and will begin the 9 month online program and look to do my student teaching at a International School in Korea this following year and return to the USA to take the tests that I will need to become certified in Florida (3 in total).

I am looking to permanently move / teach in Colombia.

Well, any guidance will be much appreciated!

Thanks for the info Julie.

I have actually decided to get my Masters in Guidance Counseling next year after teaching ESL in Colombia.

I dont really want to be a teacher so im gonna stick with something I know ill enjoy but still be in a school setting.

PsyGuy,

The SP2 License REQUIREMENTS is different for each field and area.

http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/licensure/administrator/

For a School Counselor one must hold a degree in counseling at or above the Master's level.

You are quoting this GENERAL synopsis of the SP2 here which is

http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/licensure/steps/

Standard Professional 2 (SP2) Professional Educator's Licenses are intended for teachers with 3 or more years of teaching experience, and are valid for five years. Teachers who are fully licensed and “Highly Qualifiedâ€

Thanks for your input Dreamgiver.

My local Uni doesnt require and license or experience to be omitted to the MA in School Counseling. 60 hours is quite long for a MA imo.

For my first International job I wouldnt care if it was decent or not. Would just be doing it for the experience, but even if I couldnt secure a job abroad I would have no problem working state side to gain experience. (as far as moral is concerned).

Counseling is something i'd enjoy and could see myself doing long term whether that is in the states or abroad. Which is def something I COULDNT say about teaching.

PsyGuy,

Where are you getting / seeing that NC requires a TEACHING license?

The only license I see that is required to become a GC is the Standard Professional 2 (SP2) Professional Educator's License which is different for each job / area

http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/licensure/administrator/

For a School Counselor the requirements are listed as follows

School Counselor
-Completion of an approved program in school counseling at the master's level or above
-NTE/Praxis School Guidance and Counseling test. Educational Testing Service (ETS)

The SP2 license doesnt require you to hold a teaching license OR any experience from what im reading....

PsyGuy,

The word that is used is "INTENDED". Big difference from REQUIRED.

The only 2 things that are required for the Standard Professional 2 (SP2) Professional Educator's License is

A) Complete a Masters program

B) Pass the PRAXIS

Im almost 100% sure that the GC at my mother's middle school was never a teacher.