Hello all,
I am in need of some advice as to how to proceed in my career as in IT.
I have 5 years of experience (I have my own classroom and develop my own programs, assessments, etc), 4 in middle school and 1 in high school, all in local albeit bilingual schools in Europe. I finished my certification course (TEACH-NOW) and I am waiting to receive my DC teaching licence next month (I just applied because it took me almost 6 months to get my fingerprinting done). I teach science (biology) and math, and my licence will be 7-12 Biology and 7-12 Math.
I would like to move to IB schools and eventually become top tier competitive. I currently have tenure at my school so I can be a little flexible as to finding a good first assignment, but money is very tight (I net less than 18k a year right now, no pension scheme) so I am really looking to get something better. I understand I will be working my way up for a few years, so I am looking for a few pointers as to how to choose my next school assignment:
- I signed up with Search and Shrole, should I look to sign up with ISS as well?
- Do my pre-certification years count as no experience or as "not ideal" experience?
- Does it make sense for me to go to a hiring fair (Bangkok, London, etc) in January 2019?
- What are some of the key features I should be looking for in my first IB school considering I will be "training" with them?
- Would it make sense for me to take a cat 1 workshop in Math/Biology to better my chances for recruitment?
Thank you!
Career advice
Response
Were you teaching on some form of EU or other credential in your EU bilingual DS/IS prior to now receiving the DC credential? Was your experience prior to credentialing instruction focused on language development or was it science/maths? What were the subjects and levels you taught, specifically in high school, was anything SLL (School Leaving Level).
In reply to your inquiries:
1) ISS is probably wasted coin and overkill, assuming ISS even accepted you. SA is the right premium agency for you. Did you pay for premium membership with Schrole? Given your goals, you could ahve applied through the tier 1 ISs directly through their web portal and applied to Schole ISs that way and saved yourself the coin.
2) The consensus (which is a big deal) is that you need 2 years, post credential, FTE, experience in a K12/KS DS/IS developing and delivering appropriate instructional services as the bar to entry into IE. There are ISs, generally in the lower third tier and hardship regions that will take less and even no experience. There are also a number of DTs/ITs who have no appreciable credential aside from their academic qualifications for the subject and whatever meds/peds/asst they have acquired on the job. If the answer to the above questions are that you were teaching science, maths or some other academic subject or SPED/SEN/LS/LD/ that wasnt focused on Language acquisition and your DS/IS was appropriately accredited by the national regulatory authority or by one of the accrediting organizations for the NCs or private/independent curriculums (AP, IB, etc.) focused then it will very likely be accepted as professional experience, meaning you have 5 years experience, and you should present your resume and experience as if you do have 5 years experience (At the very least you can likely count your current training year, putting you half way through the two year bar to entry). This can sort of be a litmus test for you. If you have been teaching maths/science/other academic subject for the past 5 years in an accredited classroom and been doing all the role and tasking of a DT/IT for those 5 years, an IS that wouldnt give you credit for it, is probably an IS you dont want to be at, or a recruiter leadership you dont want to be working for. Id present your training year and ITT/EPP program as more an assessment of your professional abilities rather than an acquiring training period of professional skills. An IS that says "no, doesnt count" has something going on that you dont want to be a part of.
3) It makes really good sense for you to go to a fair. If any tier 1 IS is your goal go to BKK, if you want to stay in the EU or focus on getting that IB experience than go to LON. Based on your brief description your the type of candidate that has a better than even odds of going tier 1 now, especially if your flexible enough for one of the more hardship regions such as Asia. As long as your English is native or at fluent level a Maths IT with your profile and experience is in pretty high demand. Your language ability and year/grade subject limitations are going to be more important and significant than your pre credentialing experience.
The only factor that really changes that is if your okay with a lower tier IS but absolutely want to stay in the EU, in which case you can forget the fairs entirely and just wait until Spring as having an EU passport you will probably have an offer with one of the IB ISs in Spain, etc. pretty easily. Even Switzerland under those conditions is reasonable.
Without additional qualifications and credentials or experience you want to focus your energy more on maths and less on science (biology). There are a lot of science ITs that are only biology capable and if you havent taught it at SLL your not top of the stack competitive. Add fields by PRAXIS this summer in General Science, Chemistry and Physics and that changes your utility and you can reasonably shift your energies to science, Though maths is still more marketable, a maths & physics IT combination is a very strong combination.
4) The key for you at this point is less about IB (though IB comprises a lot of the second tier) and more about getting into the highest tier IS you can and working as close to if not at SLL courses as you can. Your first 2 year contract at a strong 2nd tier IS at any secondary level and your tier 1 ready, 2 years at SLL in a floater third tier IS and your tier 1 ready, both and your tier 1/elite tier ready, manage a tier 1 IS at secondary ina hardship region and your elite tier ready. Keeping IB in your mind as a target is great but the majority of elite tier ISs are not IB ISs they are NC ISs (either BSs or ASs) and if you can get there without IB than why bother with it. At SLL level the major IE curriculum (IGCSE/A*/AP/DIP) are highly congruent and if your teaching maths factoring a binomial or finding the hypotenuses or getting the first derivative doesnt change between curriculums.
5) No, at your resumes utility not having training is better, because any IB IS thats going to brush you aside for lack of an IB workshop isnt the kind of IB IS you likely want to be at. Quality IB ISs in the 2nd and first tier will happily train an IT. This again allows you to assess the ISs quality, a quality IB IS even if you had the CAT 1 workshop training would send you to another workshop. Coin is already tight for you its not worth it to spend €600-€800 on an online workshop. All you really need to do is exercise some Google-Fu and get the course guide for DIP Mathematics and Further Mathematics, know those and the IB Learner Profile so that you can talk the talk through an interview and you will be fine.
In reply to your inquiries:
1) ISS is probably wasted coin and overkill, assuming ISS even accepted you. SA is the right premium agency for you. Did you pay for premium membership with Schrole? Given your goals, you could ahve applied through the tier 1 ISs directly through their web portal and applied to Schole ISs that way and saved yourself the coin.
2) The consensus (which is a big deal) is that you need 2 years, post credential, FTE, experience in a K12/KS DS/IS developing and delivering appropriate instructional services as the bar to entry into IE. There are ISs, generally in the lower third tier and hardship regions that will take less and even no experience. There are also a number of DTs/ITs who have no appreciable credential aside from their academic qualifications for the subject and whatever meds/peds/asst they have acquired on the job. If the answer to the above questions are that you were teaching science, maths or some other academic subject or SPED/SEN/LS/LD/ that wasnt focused on Language acquisition and your DS/IS was appropriately accredited by the national regulatory authority or by one of the accrediting organizations for the NCs or private/independent curriculums (AP, IB, etc.) focused then it will very likely be accepted as professional experience, meaning you have 5 years experience, and you should present your resume and experience as if you do have 5 years experience (At the very least you can likely count your current training year, putting you half way through the two year bar to entry). This can sort of be a litmus test for you. If you have been teaching maths/science/other academic subject for the past 5 years in an accredited classroom and been doing all the role and tasking of a DT/IT for those 5 years, an IS that wouldnt give you credit for it, is probably an IS you dont want to be at, or a recruiter leadership you dont want to be working for. Id present your training year and ITT/EPP program as more an assessment of your professional abilities rather than an acquiring training period of professional skills. An IS that says "no, doesnt count" has something going on that you dont want to be a part of.
3) It makes really good sense for you to go to a fair. If any tier 1 IS is your goal go to BKK, if you want to stay in the EU or focus on getting that IB experience than go to LON. Based on your brief description your the type of candidate that has a better than even odds of going tier 1 now, especially if your flexible enough for one of the more hardship regions such as Asia. As long as your English is native or at fluent level a Maths IT with your profile and experience is in pretty high demand. Your language ability and year/grade subject limitations are going to be more important and significant than your pre credentialing experience.
The only factor that really changes that is if your okay with a lower tier IS but absolutely want to stay in the EU, in which case you can forget the fairs entirely and just wait until Spring as having an EU passport you will probably have an offer with one of the IB ISs in Spain, etc. pretty easily. Even Switzerland under those conditions is reasonable.
Without additional qualifications and credentials or experience you want to focus your energy more on maths and less on science (biology). There are a lot of science ITs that are only biology capable and if you havent taught it at SLL your not top of the stack competitive. Add fields by PRAXIS this summer in General Science, Chemistry and Physics and that changes your utility and you can reasonably shift your energies to science, Though maths is still more marketable, a maths & physics IT combination is a very strong combination.
4) The key for you at this point is less about IB (though IB comprises a lot of the second tier) and more about getting into the highest tier IS you can and working as close to if not at SLL courses as you can. Your first 2 year contract at a strong 2nd tier IS at any secondary level and your tier 1 ready, 2 years at SLL in a floater third tier IS and your tier 1 ready, both and your tier 1/elite tier ready, manage a tier 1 IS at secondary ina hardship region and your elite tier ready. Keeping IB in your mind as a target is great but the majority of elite tier ISs are not IB ISs they are NC ISs (either BSs or ASs) and if you can get there without IB than why bother with it. At SLL level the major IE curriculum (IGCSE/A*/AP/DIP) are highly congruent and if your teaching maths factoring a binomial or finding the hypotenuses or getting the first derivative doesnt change between curriculums.
5) No, at your resumes utility not having training is better, because any IB IS thats going to brush you aside for lack of an IB workshop isnt the kind of IB IS you likely want to be at. Quality IB ISs in the 2nd and first tier will happily train an IT. This again allows you to assess the ISs quality, a quality IB IS even if you had the CAT 1 workshop training would send you to another workshop. Coin is already tight for you its not worth it to spend €600-€800 on an online workshop. All you really need to do is exercise some Google-Fu and get the course guide for DIP Mathematics and Further Mathematics, know those and the IB Learner Profile so that you can talk the talk through an interview and you will be fine.
Re: Career advice
PsyGuy, thank you for your thorough reply.
Here are some of the answers to your questions:
- my experience is in science (classroom teacher) for all 5 years, math for the last 3. I have been teaching as unlicensed teacher teaching under my supervisor's licence. All 5 years teaching ESL students with a high level of fluency in state recognised/ Cambridge Intl Exam recognised DSs.
- my high school experience was in the first 4 years (out of 5, grades 9-12). School leaving level would be year 5 (grade 13) of high school
1) I did not have to pay for Search since I signed up under the UK office. I did not pay for premium for Schrole because I applied through the link of single schools, like you said. I was wondering if it might be worth to upgrade, but it seems like this might be enough.
2)
>>If the answer to the above questions are that you were teaching science, maths or some other academic subject or SPED/SEN/LS/LD/ that wasnt focused on Language acquisition and your DS/IS was appropriately accredited [...] then it will very likely be accepted as professional experienceAn IS that says "no, doesnt count" has something going on that you dont want to be a part of.
Great news and an even better red flag to watch out . Thanks.
3) Great! Yes English is my first language so no issues there! I was actually thinking of doing the Physics Praxis, so that sounds like a plan!
4) Good to know the IB program is not the "only" Tier 1 school program. I will definitely look for SLL positions, which is actually my favourite age to teach.
5) My Goggle skills are honed, I shall use them and prep for a good interview.
I have been lurking in the forum for awhile and I am compiling a list of supposed elite/Tier 1 schools, this should help me once recruiting season starts up. Thank you!
Here are some of the answers to your questions:
- my experience is in science (classroom teacher) for all 5 years, math for the last 3. I have been teaching as unlicensed teacher teaching under my supervisor's licence. All 5 years teaching ESL students with a high level of fluency in state recognised/ Cambridge Intl Exam recognised DSs.
- my high school experience was in the first 4 years (out of 5, grades 9-12). School leaving level would be year 5 (grade 13) of high school
1) I did not have to pay for Search since I signed up under the UK office. I did not pay for premium for Schrole because I applied through the link of single schools, like you said. I was wondering if it might be worth to upgrade, but it seems like this might be enough.
2)
>>If the answer to the above questions are that you were teaching science, maths or some other academic subject or SPED/SEN/LS/LD/ that wasnt focused on Language acquisition and your DS/IS was appropriately accredited [...] then it will very likely be accepted as professional experienceAn IS that says "no, doesnt count" has something going on that you dont want to be a part of.
Great news and an even better red flag to watch out . Thanks.
3) Great! Yes English is my first language so no issues there! I was actually thinking of doing the Physics Praxis, so that sounds like a plan!
4) Good to know the IB program is not the "only" Tier 1 school program. I will definitely look for SLL positions, which is actually my favourite age to teach.
5) My Goggle skills are honed, I shall use them and prep for a good interview.
I have been lurking in the forum for awhile and I am compiling a list of supposed elite/Tier 1 schools, this should help me once recruiting season starts up. Thank you!
Reply
@iTeach124
That doesnt sound good, "unlicensed teacher teaching under my supervisor's license" sounds like youre an assistant teacher and adding ESL to it, sounds to a recruiter or leadership that you were some dispatch DT on short/long term contract providing ESOL support in another DTs classroom. Thats going to set of warning bells and its not going to be uncommon or unreasonable that based on that description for that experience not to count.
You need to consider doing two things. First, you have to spin this at the screening level (submitting the application) by dropping the teaching under someone elses credential) and the ESOL. They are terms that are going to scream 'run' to a recruiter and leadership. You need to save if any elaboration for an interview when you have some face time with the recruiter to provide the context if you deem it appropriate.
Second, you need a portfolio that you can turn too that documents and demonstrates what you did, what you accomplished and what your tasking was, so that you can push that picture of an ET on the side of the room waiting for their que or a student(s) showing some sign of linguistic stress and you stepping in with a little LS.
Otherwise add some endorsements, by PRAXIS) to your license in science (physics, chemistry, general science) that youre comfortable with and as soon as you get your DC credential apply for QTS in England, so you can capitalize on your EU classroom experience (however you ultimately decide to shape it), and round it out with adapting a model AP syllabus for maths as part of your portfolio while reading up on the IB.
Good for you for not paying anything to any of those agencies. Id add registration with TIE (USD$39) and TES (free) with your free SA membership and thats a strong trinity of opportunities.
That doesnt sound good, "unlicensed teacher teaching under my supervisor's license" sounds like youre an assistant teacher and adding ESL to it, sounds to a recruiter or leadership that you were some dispatch DT on short/long term contract providing ESOL support in another DTs classroom. Thats going to set of warning bells and its not going to be uncommon or unreasonable that based on that description for that experience not to count.
You need to consider doing two things. First, you have to spin this at the screening level (submitting the application) by dropping the teaching under someone elses credential) and the ESOL. They are terms that are going to scream 'run' to a recruiter and leadership. You need to save if any elaboration for an interview when you have some face time with the recruiter to provide the context if you deem it appropriate.
Second, you need a portfolio that you can turn too that documents and demonstrates what you did, what you accomplished and what your tasking was, so that you can push that picture of an ET on the side of the room waiting for their que or a student(s) showing some sign of linguistic stress and you stepping in with a little LS.
Otherwise add some endorsements, by PRAXIS) to your license in science (physics, chemistry, general science) that youre comfortable with and as soon as you get your DC credential apply for QTS in England, so you can capitalize on your EU classroom experience (however you ultimately decide to shape it), and round it out with adapting a model AP syllabus for maths as part of your portfolio while reading up on the IB.
Good for you for not paying anything to any of those agencies. Id add registration with TIE (USD$39) and TES (free) with your free SA membership and thats a strong trinity of opportunities.
-
Happytobeineducation
Re: Career advice
PsyGuy, or anyone who would like to look at vague deets below....
I have been a lurker for some time now. I am facing some career and life huge decisions at the moment, and could use some advice. I would post on this forum, but am worried about doxxing myself because some details are pretty specific. Is it ok to PM you?
If not, the vaguer details are:
*Am already teaching internationally; can't decide whether to stay or jump ship (various reasons, some probably more valid than others); know it's late in hiring season; not sure if gong back to try for entry level admin job in DE is worth it; almost want to take a year off but scared; just turned 50 but folks think am way younger due to energy and fitness level (fwiw. It helps when adjusting to new places and with interacting with colleagues but age limits and financial planning are becoming bigger factors).
I have been a lurker for some time now. I am facing some career and life huge decisions at the moment, and could use some advice. I would post on this forum, but am worried about doxxing myself because some details are pretty specific. Is it ok to PM you?
If not, the vaguer details are:
*Am already teaching internationally; can't decide whether to stay or jump ship (various reasons, some probably more valid than others); know it's late in hiring season; not sure if gong back to try for entry level admin job in DE is worth it; almost want to take a year off but scared; just turned 50 but folks think am way younger due to energy and fitness level (fwiw. It helps when adjusting to new places and with interacting with colleagues but age limits and financial planning are becoming bigger factors).
Re: Career advice
Thank you again PsyGuy.
I have been lurking on the member forum and I think I will work on both an Ichiro (which should help me hone in what is more important) and a portfolio to show recruiters of the work and I have done containing mock syllabus of AP level classes.
I have actually been teaching and I have not done any ESL specific thing, I will work on phasing this correctly.
I was already planning on adding Physics and General Science PRAXIS to the Biology and Math licence, so that sounds great.
One last question: would I have issues looking for positions teaching a subject I do not have a degree in? I had previously understood it wouldn't matter but I recently noticed comments/requirements in that sense.
Thank you for your time spent answering all of my questions! I definitely have a clear plan now
I have been lurking on the member forum and I think I will work on both an Ichiro (which should help me hone in what is more important) and a portfolio to show recruiters of the work and I have done containing mock syllabus of AP level classes.
I have actually been teaching and I have not done any ESL specific thing, I will work on phasing this correctly.
I was already planning on adding Physics and General Science PRAXIS to the Biology and Math licence, so that sounds great.
One last question: would I have issues looking for positions teaching a subject I do not have a degree in? I had previously understood it wouldn't matter but I recently noticed comments/requirements in that sense.
Thank you for your time spent answering all of my questions! I definitely have a clear plan now
Reply
@iTeach124
I recommend both Ichiros and a portfolio.
ITs need to demonstrate competency some way, a degree and academic preparation is but one way of doing that. There are three components that make up an ITs resume; 1) That which they have taught (experience, exam scores, etc.), 2) What they can teach (degrees, credentials, etc. and 3) Special Skills. of the three experience rules. Its a more persuasive discussion if absence experience you have academic preparation in a particular subject matter compared to only having a credential in it, but if an IS wants you or needs you that having only a credential is marketable.
I recommend both Ichiros and a portfolio.
ITs need to demonstrate competency some way, a degree and academic preparation is but one way of doing that. There are three components that make up an ITs resume; 1) That which they have taught (experience, exam scores, etc.), 2) What they can teach (degrees, credentials, etc. and 3) Special Skills. of the three experience rules. Its a more persuasive discussion if absence experience you have academic preparation in a particular subject matter compared to only having a credential in it, but if an IS wants you or needs you that having only a credential is marketable.
Re: Career advice
Thank you for another thorough reply! It all makes sense and really helps in deciding what to do and how to present myself!
Re: Career advice
@PsyGuy
hello! I have read several posts with your feedback and guidance. Tremendous knowledge of IS and guidance for ITs. I appreciate your advice..
I started my career in IS in I.E over 20 years ago, but I do not have a consistent work history on paper that demonstrates full time teaching back to back with IS. I started in South America maybe at a tier 3 and returned to the states to get further training. My training in Reading Disabilites did not provide a SPEd crential nor a reading specialist license;however, it opened doors to domestic independent school positions as a learning specialist. I pursued an LS position at two schools in DE, for two years before accepting with great luck a Tier I position in South East Asia for three years as a reading resource teacher.( best match..perfect role).
.Fast forward nearly 15 years later, I regret not following the back to back IS career track. Life circumstances led me in different directions, I remained international and had one yr. contracts in SA and in London(pyp). For good reasons ( safety issues and financial hardship). Jumping ship into an IS due to last minute timing/ openings does not necessarily translate into a stable 2-3 year assignment. I ended up in another country willing to try something different. I sponsored my work visa and started providing services in my field, but with ND private bilingual schools and expat community. Yes, nearly 90% locals..almost a decade in, i ready to return to the ISs. My time teaching in the national private schools will not *count* as official IS teaching years. I am aware now, but nervous knowing that I may have lost decade of IT experience and my work will be dismissed. I have worked harder over the last decade than in any of my previous secure IS positions with an expat package. I have reasons for why I stayed in the local private system for so long, but now i need to save $.I am not sure of my re-entry strategy, as I have no plans to return to the states.
I am trying to find more info on LS positions in IS and required credentials. I can not find a discussion thread for learning support ITs. I have had no time , but more importantly $$ to get further credentials, too old to take on school loans now. I am always looking for alternative affordable options overseas, limited if not teaching at an IS. I Have qualifications as a reading interventionist( RTI tier 2/3 ), MA certified K-6. Teaching experience in early childhood and primary reading resource. I am aware there are several titles for this role, but uncertain if my training and yrs of IT experience continues to meet basic requirements of an IS SPED/ learning support department. Recovery Recovery may be more common in most IS schools, but my training is not RR. I appreciate some insight in LS positions in IS schools. I can't turn back time, so may need to consider an alternative approach. I have started my application with Search, but I am not sure which recruiter will value and or accept my IT history. Thoughts on teachers horizon, teach away, TIE?.I am looking at UAE, but aware of the many scandals and HR malpractice. Thanks for you tips and guidance! I am far more cautious at this stage in my career, but I need to start an action plan now. Thank you!
hello! I have read several posts with your feedback and guidance. Tremendous knowledge of IS and guidance for ITs. I appreciate your advice..
I started my career in IS in I.E over 20 years ago, but I do not have a consistent work history on paper that demonstrates full time teaching back to back with IS. I started in South America maybe at a tier 3 and returned to the states to get further training. My training in Reading Disabilites did not provide a SPEd crential nor a reading specialist license;however, it opened doors to domestic independent school positions as a learning specialist. I pursued an LS position at two schools in DE, for two years before accepting with great luck a Tier I position in South East Asia for three years as a reading resource teacher.( best match..perfect role).
.Fast forward nearly 15 years later, I regret not following the back to back IS career track. Life circumstances led me in different directions, I remained international and had one yr. contracts in SA and in London(pyp). For good reasons ( safety issues and financial hardship). Jumping ship into an IS due to last minute timing/ openings does not necessarily translate into a stable 2-3 year assignment. I ended up in another country willing to try something different. I sponsored my work visa and started providing services in my field, but with ND private bilingual schools and expat community. Yes, nearly 90% locals..almost a decade in, i ready to return to the ISs. My time teaching in the national private schools will not *count* as official IS teaching years. I am aware now, but nervous knowing that I may have lost decade of IT experience and my work will be dismissed. I have worked harder over the last decade than in any of my previous secure IS positions with an expat package. I have reasons for why I stayed in the local private system for so long, but now i need to save $.I am not sure of my re-entry strategy, as I have no plans to return to the states.
I am trying to find more info on LS positions in IS and required credentials. I can not find a discussion thread for learning support ITs. I have had no time , but more importantly $$ to get further credentials, too old to take on school loans now. I am always looking for alternative affordable options overseas, limited if not teaching at an IS. I Have qualifications as a reading interventionist( RTI tier 2/3 ), MA certified K-6. Teaching experience in early childhood and primary reading resource. I am aware there are several titles for this role, but uncertain if my training and yrs of IT experience continues to meet basic requirements of an IS SPED/ learning support department. Recovery Recovery may be more common in most IS schools, but my training is not RR. I appreciate some insight in LS positions in IS schools. I can't turn back time, so may need to consider an alternative approach. I have started my application with Search, but I am not sure which recruiter will value and or accept my IT history. Thoughts on teachers horizon, teach away, TIE?.I am looking at UAE, but aware of the many scandals and HR malpractice. Thanks for you tips and guidance! I am far more cautious at this stage in my career, but I need to start an action plan now. Thank you!
Reply
@Sol
I can understand your frustration its a lot to parse, and its a case not without unique foundation.
First, you need to collect as many references and testimonials you can from current or very recent clients. Without them your going to be at a disadvantage breaking and entering back into IE. Recruiters, agencies, leadership are going to want something.
Second, you choose an associate based on which fair you want to go to and possibly because you have a connection to one that will truly work with you. Absent that most associates are a dice roll, they arent ISS. You get access to the jobs database, you might get some basic questions answered in a week long turnaround via email and you hope to get an invitation to the fair you want. Thats about all you can expect. Some of them do more than others, some of them take your coin and thats the last you hear from them.
There really arent any associates that specialize in LS/SPED/SEN recruiting or vacancies, none of them will value your history particularly well or highly. They will either accept you or reject you, none of them will get excited about your background. Youve been out of IE for years, thats all that will stand out.
Third, Id recommend TIE but not Teach Away or Teach Horizons.
Fourth, what do you want to do? Set aside your background and what you have done and what you think you may be qualified to do, what do you want to do. Describe the day you want to have?
I ask because your really in a hazy center of four different roles:
1) Primary: Most reading growth and development is the focus in early primary. Reading becomes less and less a priority as the shift moves from literacy too numeracy as you move into late primary. Its realistic that you could easily spend half on an instructional day on reading.
2) Reading Specialist: This could be a coordinator, or coach or integrator or any one of a number other titles, but its a niche position and the reason you had such a healthy demand for it outside of the IS is because its not a common position to have in an IS. There are some large elite/first tier ISs that have the position and you see it in a few vacancies elsewhere but there isnt more than a handful of vacancies in any given cycle.
3) SPED/SEN/LD/LS: You could find a place in LS that would allow you to practice reading intervention, but its mostly a generalist role, you would have to work whatever cases came onto your desk. Some might be reading some might be ADHD or any number of other mild disabilities. You could easily find yourself doing a lot that involves nothing to do with reading.
4) ESOL: Reading is one of 4 components in ESOL and language acquisition, your experience in reading would serve you well in it, but your also going to have to focus more on listening and speaking and whole language acquisition, which depending on the IS could be a serious part of the curriculum or so hopelessly disorganized your just cycling through the days.
Setting aside reading specialist (very niche market). Of the three remaining primary is the easiest to transition too, you can easily spin the reading and youre already credentialed. Its the easiest transition into a healthy (though saturated) market.
LS as described above can cross a lot of paths. SPED/SEN/LD is still small in IE, its growing and its getting more prevalent but there are many new ISs formed in the third tier than there are growing SPED/SEn/LD programs. LS can mean a lot of things it can be ESOL, it can be tutoring, it can be a counselor, it can be an academic coach, a tracking IT, a mentoring IT a resource IT. It can be a small cadre of ATs (Assistant Teachers) overseen by an IT or other faculty/staff. It can be some training for ITs without SPED/SEN/LD program because their policy isnt to admit students requiring services, but there are a number of students who are undiagnosed that slip through that have various levels of accommodation and functioning. There is a lot of variability.
The advantage of pursuing SPED/SEN/LD is that its expensive and ISs that are operating on their margin (lower tier ISs) are either just taking the tuition coin and doing nothing or they dont have SPED/SEN/LD programs. Even stabilized and established ISs dont have SPED/SEN/LD programs, so finding an IS that has an actual program and not just one in name is likely putting you in a better IS.
If you want to pursue SPED/SEN/LD you will likely want to add a credential. MA can be hard to do, and SPED is often the area that states make more difficult.
My recommendation would be FL., the advantages are:
1) There is no experience requirement for the professional (professional grade) credential.
2) You would apply for elementary education and then you could take a single exam (the FTCE0 to add all level SPED (in FL. its called Exceptional Student Education (grades K-12) this covers everything except audio, speech and visual impairment. Unlike some of the other state options that split SPED/SEN/LD into multiple coverage areas for mild/moderate/severe, etc.
3) Its one of few states that would accept your Masters (assuming its in reading) and passing the FTCE exam to add a reading credential.
4) The same process in number 2 above would also apply for ESOL (in FL. English for Speakers of Other Languages).
The FL professional certificate is valid for 5 years and can be renewed. Its advisable to keep your number of FL certifications low, as each subject area requires additional PD to renew. I could never maintain a FL credential, with 40+ certificates I would have to attend uni full time continually and consistently. This shouldnt be an issue for you, as it would be to your benefit as you gain IE experience that at 2-3 years you would be moving your credential to somewhere like CA or NJ that offer either a lifetime credentials or renewal requires no PD. CA is the gold standard of US education and you would need to add the FL ESOL endorsement, but the SPED credential in CA would be difficult to obtain, the NJ SPED credential (Students with Disabilities) is easier to obtain and inline with their other credentials. Both CA and NJ offer a reading credential in CA it would be Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist, in NJ it is Reading. Both CA and NJ offer elementary (in CA its a Multiple Subjects credential that is technically a K-12 credential, but is for primarily elementary education). Both offer an ESOL credential (in CA its World Language: English Language Development, in NJ its English as a Second Language).
Another pathway option after obtaining the FL credential would be to apply for QTS. There is room in the TCL profile for 2 fields, though they arent very relevant outside of maintained DSs in England.
I can understand your frustration its a lot to parse, and its a case not without unique foundation.
First, you need to collect as many references and testimonials you can from current or very recent clients. Without them your going to be at a disadvantage breaking and entering back into IE. Recruiters, agencies, leadership are going to want something.
Second, you choose an associate based on which fair you want to go to and possibly because you have a connection to one that will truly work with you. Absent that most associates are a dice roll, they arent ISS. You get access to the jobs database, you might get some basic questions answered in a week long turnaround via email and you hope to get an invitation to the fair you want. Thats about all you can expect. Some of them do more than others, some of them take your coin and thats the last you hear from them.
There really arent any associates that specialize in LS/SPED/SEN recruiting or vacancies, none of them will value your history particularly well or highly. They will either accept you or reject you, none of them will get excited about your background. Youve been out of IE for years, thats all that will stand out.
Third, Id recommend TIE but not Teach Away or Teach Horizons.
Fourth, what do you want to do? Set aside your background and what you have done and what you think you may be qualified to do, what do you want to do. Describe the day you want to have?
I ask because your really in a hazy center of four different roles:
1) Primary: Most reading growth and development is the focus in early primary. Reading becomes less and less a priority as the shift moves from literacy too numeracy as you move into late primary. Its realistic that you could easily spend half on an instructional day on reading.
2) Reading Specialist: This could be a coordinator, or coach or integrator or any one of a number other titles, but its a niche position and the reason you had such a healthy demand for it outside of the IS is because its not a common position to have in an IS. There are some large elite/first tier ISs that have the position and you see it in a few vacancies elsewhere but there isnt more than a handful of vacancies in any given cycle.
3) SPED/SEN/LD/LS: You could find a place in LS that would allow you to practice reading intervention, but its mostly a generalist role, you would have to work whatever cases came onto your desk. Some might be reading some might be ADHD or any number of other mild disabilities. You could easily find yourself doing a lot that involves nothing to do with reading.
4) ESOL: Reading is one of 4 components in ESOL and language acquisition, your experience in reading would serve you well in it, but your also going to have to focus more on listening and speaking and whole language acquisition, which depending on the IS could be a serious part of the curriculum or so hopelessly disorganized your just cycling through the days.
Setting aside reading specialist (very niche market). Of the three remaining primary is the easiest to transition too, you can easily spin the reading and youre already credentialed. Its the easiest transition into a healthy (though saturated) market.
LS as described above can cross a lot of paths. SPED/SEN/LD is still small in IE, its growing and its getting more prevalent but there are many new ISs formed in the third tier than there are growing SPED/SEn/LD programs. LS can mean a lot of things it can be ESOL, it can be tutoring, it can be a counselor, it can be an academic coach, a tracking IT, a mentoring IT a resource IT. It can be a small cadre of ATs (Assistant Teachers) overseen by an IT or other faculty/staff. It can be some training for ITs without SPED/SEN/LD program because their policy isnt to admit students requiring services, but there are a number of students who are undiagnosed that slip through that have various levels of accommodation and functioning. There is a lot of variability.
The advantage of pursuing SPED/SEN/LD is that its expensive and ISs that are operating on their margin (lower tier ISs) are either just taking the tuition coin and doing nothing or they dont have SPED/SEN/LD programs. Even stabilized and established ISs dont have SPED/SEN/LD programs, so finding an IS that has an actual program and not just one in name is likely putting you in a better IS.
If you want to pursue SPED/SEN/LD you will likely want to add a credential. MA can be hard to do, and SPED is often the area that states make more difficult.
My recommendation would be FL., the advantages are:
1) There is no experience requirement for the professional (professional grade) credential.
2) You would apply for elementary education and then you could take a single exam (the FTCE0 to add all level SPED (in FL. its called Exceptional Student Education (grades K-12) this covers everything except audio, speech and visual impairment. Unlike some of the other state options that split SPED/SEN/LD into multiple coverage areas for mild/moderate/severe, etc.
3) Its one of few states that would accept your Masters (assuming its in reading) and passing the FTCE exam to add a reading credential.
4) The same process in number 2 above would also apply for ESOL (in FL. English for Speakers of Other Languages).
The FL professional certificate is valid for 5 years and can be renewed. Its advisable to keep your number of FL certifications low, as each subject area requires additional PD to renew. I could never maintain a FL credential, with 40+ certificates I would have to attend uni full time continually and consistently. This shouldnt be an issue for you, as it would be to your benefit as you gain IE experience that at 2-3 years you would be moving your credential to somewhere like CA or NJ that offer either a lifetime credentials or renewal requires no PD. CA is the gold standard of US education and you would need to add the FL ESOL endorsement, but the SPED credential in CA would be difficult to obtain, the NJ SPED credential (Students with Disabilities) is easier to obtain and inline with their other credentials. Both CA and NJ offer a reading credential in CA it would be Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist, in NJ it is Reading. Both CA and NJ offer elementary (in CA its a Multiple Subjects credential that is technically a K-12 credential, but is for primarily elementary education). Both offer an ESOL credential (in CA its World Language: English Language Development, in NJ its English as a Second Language).
Another pathway option after obtaining the FL credential would be to apply for QTS. There is room in the TCL profile for 2 fields, though they arent very relevant outside of maintained DSs in England.
Re: Career advice-sol
@PSyGuy
I so appreciate your thorough advice and know-how on IT certications, recuriters, ISs etc. Thank you!
I am in the process of collecting as many references and testimonials from private practice and my host school. I have already chosen a *fair* with Search but truly prefer skype interviews. I am currently in Mexico (since 2009) and have made a commitment to stay 1 more yr 2018-19. I need to proceed with caution and hopefully seek out an acceptable IS position for 2019-20. I did not realize an associate would be assigned according to the fair you choose, and I am off to a rocky start. I am trying to find out if Search requires all their ITs to attend a fair, or if skype interviews are acceptable. Skype may be a better option for older ITs (single no dependents) willing to jump on openings late in the recruiting season.
Seems TIE may be a better fit, but I do not want to rule out Search just yet. Search shared their concern with me( email) and my assigned associate seems to be on the fence, she is more concerned about my SLL of 10 years, and dismissed my decade of DS teaching and associated work in an IE. It all comes down to how I look on paper. If they feel I am not competitive , do I risk paying $ 225 If I am allowed to move forward. Give them my coin and then let them brush me aside during the whole recruitment process? The end of the day do you feel most associates are mostly interested in their commission? I am not sure how to change my associate if I do not end up going to a recruiting fair. Seems only few openings are listed each year in my field and I need to find out who is hiring for my role. I am open to location, so it is more about finding the right *fit*. Search seems to have a good reputation; however, several member schools have discouraging ISR reviews. I am planning to talk with my assigned associate to review my IT history, but I am already a bit on the defense. I have 7 years of IT experience with different ISs , with more than 15 yrs of experience, but the emphasis is more on the last two full time teaching years in an IS vs my entire teaching career. As you mentioned most associates are a dice roll, they are not ISS. Are you suggesting that ISS may be a better option for me? Having access to a job database with accurate and updated ISs benefit/salary pacckage, school info etc. is very important. From my experience TIE shares limited info to ITs it is more of a matching service, I am not sure if school info is updated or always accurate each year.
Seems a SPED/ SEN/ LS is my best option to transition into or Early years (saturated market). A lower primary LS with a focus on reading intervention may hopefully give me an advantage. I hold a Massachusetts( MA) teacher certification K-6, I do not have a SPED license or a Masters degree in Reading, rather extensive training in language-based LD associated with Dyslexia I have my IDA Credential. Since SPED/ SEN/ LD is still small in IE and growing, perhaps targeting Third tier schools is my best option. (TIE has a lot of postings from Tier 2-3 schools)? I am not sure how most IB schools address SPED/ SEN/ LD as it appears IB schools SPED is inclusion vs pull out RTI Model of Intervention. LS responsibilities seem to vary and having worked in smaller IS schools LS= ESOL if you are the only LS support teacher in your division. If I focus my attention over the next few months on attaining my credential in Florida, perhaps a Tier 3 IS will consider my credentials, experience , references and overall IT career without too much concern on my SLL( I have been teaching in a DS in an IE , but not an accredited European/ American IS school).
To clarify, if I pursue a SPED/SEN/ LD credential this year, not a masters degree(due to time constraints , $$$ and complicated stateside requirements) is the action plan below attainable in a few months, If i get started this summer?
1. Research reciprocity agreements between MA & FL. Apply for a SPED endorsement with a FLA teacher license, possible without a Masters?
2. MA dept. of ED requires all DTs in the BPS to have a Sheltered English Immersion endorsement (SEI). Mass ED is all about *Pathways to Licensure* and MTEL exams. I am not returning to MA, but need to renew my prof. license every 5 yrs. It has become an increasingly difficult to maintain my MA license while living overseas. MA restrictions on authorized PD providers outside of their network has limited my coursework to mostly clock hours for any affordable online courses. 3+ expensive online Graduate courses may satisfy required PDPs, but so few affordable grad courses translates into an approved MA credential other than a SEI. I tried pursuing a couple of online reading endorsement programs in CA & IA excellent accredited online programs, both denied by MA dept. Ed. It is about finding the right state teacher license that works in harmony with long term ITs in an IE that is not going to break the bank( Tier 2 or 3 IS schools often do not have a PD bonus for teachers. I need to keep my MA license, but realize I can not get a head with this teacher license, if I am not pursuing a Masters degree. Since holding a MA license is now a disadvantage since I an not ADD a credential to the license without a Masters, it is far to burdensome to work with MA department of Ed , then I should hold onto it as a secondary License when I receive my new FL teacher certification? FL seems to be my pathway for needed endorsements that are more attainable than MA?
3. If or when I receive a FL teacher license, I need to take the FTCEO exam to add ALL Levels of SPED. This would be an endorsement attached to my FL teacher license not Ma license.
4. I am elementary ed, no Masters., so FL would still be my best bet vs other states that split SPED/SEN/ LD into multiple coverage area for mild/moderate/severe and grade level? The least daunting path to the best credential while overseas is my goal.
5. Ideally moving my credentials to somewhere like CA or NJ for a Life time would be the best scenario, since I am not returning to the states. I need to return to an IS for two years before I can apply for a CA or NJ certification? If NJ SPED is easier (Students with Disabilities), is this not worth pursuing before a FLA certification? I am not sure how easy or user friendly it is to apply for reciprocity online with NJ or if certain requirements will need to be fulfilled in person stateside. NJ SPED credential (Students with Disabilities) is easier to obtain and in line with their other credentials, but FL I am hearing is still my best vs NJ? Both CA and NJ offer a reading credential, but I assume again would require a master’s degree. I am happy if I can earn an elementary Reading endorsement/ SPED/ LD, credential while living/ teaching/ working overseas. My extensive work to receive my Dyslexia Therapy Certification from IDA I hope would transfer into some FL reading endorsement, but maybe that is not necessary? If I need to take a paper Teacher Certification exam, I will most likely fly back to the states, as the only Praxis exams offered in MX was at ASF Mexico in 2014( not subject area).
If it seems FL reciprocity agreement is the way to go, then I need to pursue FL SPED/ LD endorsement, and focus on TIE for job that advertise for LS/ SEN 2019-20( in the next few months), or transition into an early year’s IS position and complete my SEN endorsement( assuming it takes more than 6 months to complete). I do not know what to do about Search.
Thank you again!! I have not been able to receive proper guidance for far too long. I feel I may be a bit repetitive, so I appreciate your patience. I have been learning the hard way over of the years( chasing my tail/ trying to *fit * into a system that does not work for an IT in an IE). I am eager to get it right and get back on track, so I can land the position I want with a good IS. I am grateful for your time and support :)!!
I so appreciate your thorough advice and know-how on IT certications, recuriters, ISs etc. Thank you!
I am in the process of collecting as many references and testimonials from private practice and my host school. I have already chosen a *fair* with Search but truly prefer skype interviews. I am currently in Mexico (since 2009) and have made a commitment to stay 1 more yr 2018-19. I need to proceed with caution and hopefully seek out an acceptable IS position for 2019-20. I did not realize an associate would be assigned according to the fair you choose, and I am off to a rocky start. I am trying to find out if Search requires all their ITs to attend a fair, or if skype interviews are acceptable. Skype may be a better option for older ITs (single no dependents) willing to jump on openings late in the recruiting season.
Seems TIE may be a better fit, but I do not want to rule out Search just yet. Search shared their concern with me( email) and my assigned associate seems to be on the fence, she is more concerned about my SLL of 10 years, and dismissed my decade of DS teaching and associated work in an IE. It all comes down to how I look on paper. If they feel I am not competitive , do I risk paying $ 225 If I am allowed to move forward. Give them my coin and then let them brush me aside during the whole recruitment process? The end of the day do you feel most associates are mostly interested in their commission? I am not sure how to change my associate if I do not end up going to a recruiting fair. Seems only few openings are listed each year in my field and I need to find out who is hiring for my role. I am open to location, so it is more about finding the right *fit*. Search seems to have a good reputation; however, several member schools have discouraging ISR reviews. I am planning to talk with my assigned associate to review my IT history, but I am already a bit on the defense. I have 7 years of IT experience with different ISs , with more than 15 yrs of experience, but the emphasis is more on the last two full time teaching years in an IS vs my entire teaching career. As you mentioned most associates are a dice roll, they are not ISS. Are you suggesting that ISS may be a better option for me? Having access to a job database with accurate and updated ISs benefit/salary pacckage, school info etc. is very important. From my experience TIE shares limited info to ITs it is more of a matching service, I am not sure if school info is updated or always accurate each year.
Seems a SPED/ SEN/ LS is my best option to transition into or Early years (saturated market). A lower primary LS with a focus on reading intervention may hopefully give me an advantage. I hold a Massachusetts( MA) teacher certification K-6, I do not have a SPED license or a Masters degree in Reading, rather extensive training in language-based LD associated with Dyslexia I have my IDA Credential. Since SPED/ SEN/ LD is still small in IE and growing, perhaps targeting Third tier schools is my best option. (TIE has a lot of postings from Tier 2-3 schools)? I am not sure how most IB schools address SPED/ SEN/ LD as it appears IB schools SPED is inclusion vs pull out RTI Model of Intervention. LS responsibilities seem to vary and having worked in smaller IS schools LS= ESOL if you are the only LS support teacher in your division. If I focus my attention over the next few months on attaining my credential in Florida, perhaps a Tier 3 IS will consider my credentials, experience , references and overall IT career without too much concern on my SLL( I have been teaching in a DS in an IE , but not an accredited European/ American IS school).
To clarify, if I pursue a SPED/SEN/ LD credential this year, not a masters degree(due to time constraints , $$$ and complicated stateside requirements) is the action plan below attainable in a few months, If i get started this summer?
1. Research reciprocity agreements between MA & FL. Apply for a SPED endorsement with a FLA teacher license, possible without a Masters?
2. MA dept. of ED requires all DTs in the BPS to have a Sheltered English Immersion endorsement (SEI). Mass ED is all about *Pathways to Licensure* and MTEL exams. I am not returning to MA, but need to renew my prof. license every 5 yrs. It has become an increasingly difficult to maintain my MA license while living overseas. MA restrictions on authorized PD providers outside of their network has limited my coursework to mostly clock hours for any affordable online courses. 3+ expensive online Graduate courses may satisfy required PDPs, but so few affordable grad courses translates into an approved MA credential other than a SEI. I tried pursuing a couple of online reading endorsement programs in CA & IA excellent accredited online programs, both denied by MA dept. Ed. It is about finding the right state teacher license that works in harmony with long term ITs in an IE that is not going to break the bank( Tier 2 or 3 IS schools often do not have a PD bonus for teachers. I need to keep my MA license, but realize I can not get a head with this teacher license, if I am not pursuing a Masters degree. Since holding a MA license is now a disadvantage since I an not ADD a credential to the license without a Masters, it is far to burdensome to work with MA department of Ed , then I should hold onto it as a secondary License when I receive my new FL teacher certification? FL seems to be my pathway for needed endorsements that are more attainable than MA?
3. If or when I receive a FL teacher license, I need to take the FTCEO exam to add ALL Levels of SPED. This would be an endorsement attached to my FL teacher license not Ma license.
4. I am elementary ed, no Masters., so FL would still be my best bet vs other states that split SPED/SEN/ LD into multiple coverage area for mild/moderate/severe and grade level? The least daunting path to the best credential while overseas is my goal.
5. Ideally moving my credentials to somewhere like CA or NJ for a Life time would be the best scenario, since I am not returning to the states. I need to return to an IS for two years before I can apply for a CA or NJ certification? If NJ SPED is easier (Students with Disabilities), is this not worth pursuing before a FLA certification? I am not sure how easy or user friendly it is to apply for reciprocity online with NJ or if certain requirements will need to be fulfilled in person stateside. NJ SPED credential (Students with Disabilities) is easier to obtain and in line with their other credentials, but FL I am hearing is still my best vs NJ? Both CA and NJ offer a reading credential, but I assume again would require a master’s degree. I am happy if I can earn an elementary Reading endorsement/ SPED/ LD, credential while living/ teaching/ working overseas. My extensive work to receive my Dyslexia Therapy Certification from IDA I hope would transfer into some FL reading endorsement, but maybe that is not necessary? If I need to take a paper Teacher Certification exam, I will most likely fly back to the states, as the only Praxis exams offered in MX was at ASF Mexico in 2014( not subject area).
If it seems FL reciprocity agreement is the way to go, then I need to pursue FL SPED/ LD endorsement, and focus on TIE for job that advertise for LS/ SEN 2019-20( in the next few months), or transition into an early year’s IS position and complete my SEN endorsement( assuming it takes more than 6 months to complete). I do not know what to do about Search.
Thank you again!! I have not been able to receive proper guidance for far too long. I feel I may be a bit repetitive, so I appreciate your patience. I have been learning the hard way over of the years( chasing my tail/ trying to *fit * into a system that does not work for an IT in an IE). I am eager to get it right and get back on track, so I can land the position I want with a good IS. I am grateful for your time and support :)!!
Reply
@Sol
1) You arent really assigned an associate by fair, its by location and then by fair, etc.. The number of associates has grown over the years, but the system is entirely manipulable. You look up the list of associates, find the one that runs the fair you want, and then choose the location or subgroup that matches. SA will never send you anything by post/mail, etc.
2) Skype interviews are the majority of how recruiters conduct interviews. Fairs have a lot of factors going on, and a significant number of ITs do get offers at fairs. I dont want to make an equation but a day or two at a fair can be as successful as months of applications and online interviews. You do not have to attend a fair or recruiting event, there is nothing mandatory about it.
3) One of the strongest benefits of a premium agency like SA is admission to a fair. Outside of that youre paying for a jobs database. It would be one thing if you were looking at vacancies such as primary or ESOL or SPED/SEN/LD, if your sticking with reading specialist/interventionist youre not likely to get more than a couple opportunities. The other issue is that a lot of the opportunities youre going to see on SA that you would be competitive for are also going to be on other venues such as TIE, TES, etc. Added to that your associate doesnt seem very enthusiastic about your candidacy they arent likely to give you much if any assistance. Is that worth $225, thats something you need to decide.
4) Absolutely associates are past their IE/DE careers, this is their retirement/semi-retirement, they are in it for the coin. Some do better at giving value for that coin, but youre not the client, youre the commodity. If the associate works for anyone other than themselves than they are working for the recruiters and the ISs.
5) You can reapply with another associate before your profile is created and before you pay anything.
6) Recruiting in IE is a volume business, its not like executive recruiting where you spend a month or longer grooming a client for a particular position with an organization. Its not practical or really feasible in this time to focus on just 1st/elite tier ISs. There was a time when that was all there was, the IE field was all embassy ISs or elite boarding DSs. Recruiting involved placing a lot of ads and calling a lot of Unis and then traveling to job/career fairs. Recruiters did the interviews and made long distance overseas calls. If you ever want to see a remnant of the process, look into the Japanese JET program at a Uni fair. Upper tier ISs have been stable and flat on the growth curve, all the new business and growth is in lower (third tier) ISs. If youre going to grow your consultancy you have to grow your client base, and that means repping lesser quality ISs.
It wouldnt go without saying that lower ISs are also more profitable. There are really two types of ISs that are repped by premium agencies those that make coin by having higher levels of turn over and growth thus creating a higher proportion of vacancies and generating more placement fees. If that bottom tier IS in the ME has 15 vacancies that they place though the agency thats 15 fees, if 5 of those ITs pull runners, and thus require 5 more vacancies thats 5 more placement fees.
The other type of repped ISs are the ones that provide 'status', those elite and first tier ISs that have very few vacancies (some elite tier ISs can go an entire year or two without recruiting anyone at all) but having those ISs on the agencies roster appeals to candidates and conveys to them value and prestige and that the premium agency is the gate keeper to those vacancies.
7) I doubt ISS would be a better choice for you, youd have to spin it as a contracted outside consultant/provider to the IE market to get any enthusiasm about it, and if you were going to do that than you may as well approach an agency like Carney Sandoe, etc. The benefit of ISS compared to SA is that SA is the general store, everyone gets about the same amount of attention, access to the database, a few questions by email and an invite to a fair. You do most if not all the work and everyone gets the same amount of attention (thats how the pricing structure works). An IT thats easy to place generates the same fee as one thats a lot of work, an associate can only manage so many ITs and the ITs that require more work return less for the amount of resources expended. A placement at a bottom third tier IS generates the same fee as one that goes to an elite tier IS, its all the same fee, and there is little gained in doing more work for a candidate when the work doesn’t return more coin, thats how volume consulting works.
ISS is more the boutique experience (they have a different revenue structure), if youre valuable to them youre going to get more attention than you would at SA. If your not particularly valuable to them, youre going to get ignored more than you would at SA. For ISS to be a benefit to you and a better option for you than SA, youd have to really sell the unique nature of your application and the consultant would have to either have a vacancy thats an ideal fit available or someone that was looking.
8) The IS profiles arent of much value. ISs arent required to update them for accuracy and they are all self report. ISs can put whatever they want in the fields for salary, savings, etc. At best you get two salary points on the scale and even if you were exactly at one of those points a recruiter can just shrug and claim what they are offering is the updated salary scale and there is nothing SA will do about it if you report it to your associate. The data provided on SA isnt anymore useful than that on TIE, at best it gives you a different set of ranges, and you can get some boundaries by looking at the salary points of all the ISs in a particular region (the bottom is around X, the top is around Y, and the middle for most is something around Z).
9) SPED/SEN/LD is small but its growing and its grown substantially in recent years. Youre finding more and more mid tier ISs that are implementing and executing various forms of LS programs. There are still the ISs that will admit SPED/SEN/LD students and give them nothing in terms of services, but it is getting better and growing.
10) Yes, TIE has a majority of lower tier ISs.
11) SPED/SEN/LD are not all one term they are different terms used by differing curriculums. SPED is short for Special Education as refereed to in the US. SEN is short for Special Education Needs and is the term used in the UK. LD is short for Learning Diversity which is the term used in the IB. LS is short for Learning Support and is a wider, broader, and more general term that can include any number of categorical services from disability, to ESOL, to gifted and talented, to tutoring, etc.
12) I can see how LD in the IB can look more like inclusion but its more an artifact of curriculum and IE. Most SPED/SEN/LD is mild too very mild, which generally describes higher (or high enough) functioning students that they arent served any better in a resource room. If you go to IB DSs though in the US for example, you find the full range of SPED students and those students even in IB programs in those DSs are serviced in resource. The other factor is that while there are IBWSs (classical IB World Schools, where the only curriculum for K12/KS is IB at all levels) most IB programs are run parallel (selective) with another curriculum (such as an NC curriculum), and its more likely for a number of factors that a student that is SPED/SEN would not be selected for the IB path. In such ISs, IB alongside an NC (NC = National Curriculum) can be considered as an 'honors' program or honors track and thats how some ISs implement it.
13) LS in a majority of ISs is ESOL. Its easier to classify a deficiency as a language acquisition issue. Its more acceptable in a number of cultures as opposed to "disability". Its also cheaper and requires less resources than SPED/SEN.
14) Not having the reading Masters doesnt change my recommendation for FL. It has the characteristics that you need. It doesnt require any experience or recent experience to get you the highest credential in FL. It allows you to add the various credential subject areas by exam. The subject areas your interested in are all available (except reading) and inclusive to their fields (you dont need separate age ranges or classes of disability for ESOL, SPED, etc.) and those areas dont have special or extended requirements.
15) You dont need a masters for the FL credential in elementary, SPED, ESOL.
16) The advantage of MA is that you can get a credential (Provisional) thats effectively valid for life in the scenario of an IT who isnt going to ever teach in MA, and the provisional credential is available by completing two exams (in most cases) without completing an EPP/ITT program. Having a higher grade of credential in MA is much more work in terms of PD.
17) Its up to you if you keep the MA credential. I would advise applying for QTS in England either now with the MA credential or after you get the FL credential. The FL credential will require renewal in 5 years but assuming you obtain IE experience in an IS you will be able to transition to a state without PD requirements. You could also just keep QTS and drop the US credential in its entirety.
18) Yes, the Exceptional Student Education endorsement would be added to the FL credential not the MA credential.
19) There are other options beside FL but none of them are really better, unless cost is absolutely prohibitive to you.
20) You arent eligible for the NJ Standard credential, it requires recent DT/IT experience. You would at best qualify for the CEAS but you cant transition it to the Standard credential without returning to NJ and teaching. Its possible CA may accept your very dated classroom experience, but even if they did without a Masters (which is they typical route) you would end up with a Preliminary (entry grade) credential which would require an induction program and the Uni online programs for those run USD$5K-$7K.
21) No, FL requires a Masters for reading, no other training or academic preparation is equivalent or acceptable. You could perhaps find a Uni that would accept the training and give you course credit/units for it, but unless its on a transcript that shows an earned Masters in a relevant reading field it doesnt have any value in regards to credentialing.
NJ has two reading credentials one titled "Reading" that doesnt require a Masters and a credential titled "Reading Specialist" that does require a Masters. "Reading" allows the DT to teach reading to students. "Reading Specialist" is more a coordinator or junior leadership role within a department that provides reading instruction, etc.
22) Im unaware of a regulating authority that specifically has a "elementary reading" credential or endorsement.
23) As of 2015 all PRAXIS exams are administered as computer based exams, except special administrations for those with a disability.
FL doesnt accept the PRAXIS they have their own exam the FTCE (Florida Teacher Certification Exam) it is administered at various testing centers in the US on computer.
24) Its possible to complete the FL requirements before the end of the summer, not likely but possible. Its the fingerprint requirement that has to be run using hard cards that are mailed and scanned and it takes a while.
25) I dont know what YOU should do about SA either. They might not accept you, and if they do will it be worth it for you without attending a fair and depending on what vacancy subject areas you pursue. If coin is really tight pass, if you got it to spare, the jobs database for elementary, SPED/SEN/LD and ESOL is extensive, but that would be the only real benefit youd likely find of value. However, now is the time to get a premium agency profile and registration ready. Vacancies will start appearing in October, which isnt that far away.
1) You arent really assigned an associate by fair, its by location and then by fair, etc.. The number of associates has grown over the years, but the system is entirely manipulable. You look up the list of associates, find the one that runs the fair you want, and then choose the location or subgroup that matches. SA will never send you anything by post/mail, etc.
2) Skype interviews are the majority of how recruiters conduct interviews. Fairs have a lot of factors going on, and a significant number of ITs do get offers at fairs. I dont want to make an equation but a day or two at a fair can be as successful as months of applications and online interviews. You do not have to attend a fair or recruiting event, there is nothing mandatory about it.
3) One of the strongest benefits of a premium agency like SA is admission to a fair. Outside of that youre paying for a jobs database. It would be one thing if you were looking at vacancies such as primary or ESOL or SPED/SEN/LD, if your sticking with reading specialist/interventionist youre not likely to get more than a couple opportunities. The other issue is that a lot of the opportunities youre going to see on SA that you would be competitive for are also going to be on other venues such as TIE, TES, etc. Added to that your associate doesnt seem very enthusiastic about your candidacy they arent likely to give you much if any assistance. Is that worth $225, thats something you need to decide.
4) Absolutely associates are past their IE/DE careers, this is their retirement/semi-retirement, they are in it for the coin. Some do better at giving value for that coin, but youre not the client, youre the commodity. If the associate works for anyone other than themselves than they are working for the recruiters and the ISs.
5) You can reapply with another associate before your profile is created and before you pay anything.
6) Recruiting in IE is a volume business, its not like executive recruiting where you spend a month or longer grooming a client for a particular position with an organization. Its not practical or really feasible in this time to focus on just 1st/elite tier ISs. There was a time when that was all there was, the IE field was all embassy ISs or elite boarding DSs. Recruiting involved placing a lot of ads and calling a lot of Unis and then traveling to job/career fairs. Recruiters did the interviews and made long distance overseas calls. If you ever want to see a remnant of the process, look into the Japanese JET program at a Uni fair. Upper tier ISs have been stable and flat on the growth curve, all the new business and growth is in lower (third tier) ISs. If youre going to grow your consultancy you have to grow your client base, and that means repping lesser quality ISs.
It wouldnt go without saying that lower ISs are also more profitable. There are really two types of ISs that are repped by premium agencies those that make coin by having higher levels of turn over and growth thus creating a higher proportion of vacancies and generating more placement fees. If that bottom tier IS in the ME has 15 vacancies that they place though the agency thats 15 fees, if 5 of those ITs pull runners, and thus require 5 more vacancies thats 5 more placement fees.
The other type of repped ISs are the ones that provide 'status', those elite and first tier ISs that have very few vacancies (some elite tier ISs can go an entire year or two without recruiting anyone at all) but having those ISs on the agencies roster appeals to candidates and conveys to them value and prestige and that the premium agency is the gate keeper to those vacancies.
7) I doubt ISS would be a better choice for you, youd have to spin it as a contracted outside consultant/provider to the IE market to get any enthusiasm about it, and if you were going to do that than you may as well approach an agency like Carney Sandoe, etc. The benefit of ISS compared to SA is that SA is the general store, everyone gets about the same amount of attention, access to the database, a few questions by email and an invite to a fair. You do most if not all the work and everyone gets the same amount of attention (thats how the pricing structure works). An IT thats easy to place generates the same fee as one thats a lot of work, an associate can only manage so many ITs and the ITs that require more work return less for the amount of resources expended. A placement at a bottom third tier IS generates the same fee as one that goes to an elite tier IS, its all the same fee, and there is little gained in doing more work for a candidate when the work doesn’t return more coin, thats how volume consulting works.
ISS is more the boutique experience (they have a different revenue structure), if youre valuable to them youre going to get more attention than you would at SA. If your not particularly valuable to them, youre going to get ignored more than you would at SA. For ISS to be a benefit to you and a better option for you than SA, youd have to really sell the unique nature of your application and the consultant would have to either have a vacancy thats an ideal fit available or someone that was looking.
8) The IS profiles arent of much value. ISs arent required to update them for accuracy and they are all self report. ISs can put whatever they want in the fields for salary, savings, etc. At best you get two salary points on the scale and even if you were exactly at one of those points a recruiter can just shrug and claim what they are offering is the updated salary scale and there is nothing SA will do about it if you report it to your associate. The data provided on SA isnt anymore useful than that on TIE, at best it gives you a different set of ranges, and you can get some boundaries by looking at the salary points of all the ISs in a particular region (the bottom is around X, the top is around Y, and the middle for most is something around Z).
9) SPED/SEN/LD is small but its growing and its grown substantially in recent years. Youre finding more and more mid tier ISs that are implementing and executing various forms of LS programs. There are still the ISs that will admit SPED/SEN/LD students and give them nothing in terms of services, but it is getting better and growing.
10) Yes, TIE has a majority of lower tier ISs.
11) SPED/SEN/LD are not all one term they are different terms used by differing curriculums. SPED is short for Special Education as refereed to in the US. SEN is short for Special Education Needs and is the term used in the UK. LD is short for Learning Diversity which is the term used in the IB. LS is short for Learning Support and is a wider, broader, and more general term that can include any number of categorical services from disability, to ESOL, to gifted and talented, to tutoring, etc.
12) I can see how LD in the IB can look more like inclusion but its more an artifact of curriculum and IE. Most SPED/SEN/LD is mild too very mild, which generally describes higher (or high enough) functioning students that they arent served any better in a resource room. If you go to IB DSs though in the US for example, you find the full range of SPED students and those students even in IB programs in those DSs are serviced in resource. The other factor is that while there are IBWSs (classical IB World Schools, where the only curriculum for K12/KS is IB at all levels) most IB programs are run parallel (selective) with another curriculum (such as an NC curriculum), and its more likely for a number of factors that a student that is SPED/SEN would not be selected for the IB path. In such ISs, IB alongside an NC (NC = National Curriculum) can be considered as an 'honors' program or honors track and thats how some ISs implement it.
13) LS in a majority of ISs is ESOL. Its easier to classify a deficiency as a language acquisition issue. Its more acceptable in a number of cultures as opposed to "disability". Its also cheaper and requires less resources than SPED/SEN.
14) Not having the reading Masters doesnt change my recommendation for FL. It has the characteristics that you need. It doesnt require any experience or recent experience to get you the highest credential in FL. It allows you to add the various credential subject areas by exam. The subject areas your interested in are all available (except reading) and inclusive to their fields (you dont need separate age ranges or classes of disability for ESOL, SPED, etc.) and those areas dont have special or extended requirements.
15) You dont need a masters for the FL credential in elementary, SPED, ESOL.
16) The advantage of MA is that you can get a credential (Provisional) thats effectively valid for life in the scenario of an IT who isnt going to ever teach in MA, and the provisional credential is available by completing two exams (in most cases) without completing an EPP/ITT program. Having a higher grade of credential in MA is much more work in terms of PD.
17) Its up to you if you keep the MA credential. I would advise applying for QTS in England either now with the MA credential or after you get the FL credential. The FL credential will require renewal in 5 years but assuming you obtain IE experience in an IS you will be able to transition to a state without PD requirements. You could also just keep QTS and drop the US credential in its entirety.
18) Yes, the Exceptional Student Education endorsement would be added to the FL credential not the MA credential.
19) There are other options beside FL but none of them are really better, unless cost is absolutely prohibitive to you.
20) You arent eligible for the NJ Standard credential, it requires recent DT/IT experience. You would at best qualify for the CEAS but you cant transition it to the Standard credential without returning to NJ and teaching. Its possible CA may accept your very dated classroom experience, but even if they did without a Masters (which is they typical route) you would end up with a Preliminary (entry grade) credential which would require an induction program and the Uni online programs for those run USD$5K-$7K.
21) No, FL requires a Masters for reading, no other training or academic preparation is equivalent or acceptable. You could perhaps find a Uni that would accept the training and give you course credit/units for it, but unless its on a transcript that shows an earned Masters in a relevant reading field it doesnt have any value in regards to credentialing.
NJ has two reading credentials one titled "Reading" that doesnt require a Masters and a credential titled "Reading Specialist" that does require a Masters. "Reading" allows the DT to teach reading to students. "Reading Specialist" is more a coordinator or junior leadership role within a department that provides reading instruction, etc.
22) Im unaware of a regulating authority that specifically has a "elementary reading" credential or endorsement.
23) As of 2015 all PRAXIS exams are administered as computer based exams, except special administrations for those with a disability.
FL doesnt accept the PRAXIS they have their own exam the FTCE (Florida Teacher Certification Exam) it is administered at various testing centers in the US on computer.
24) Its possible to complete the FL requirements before the end of the summer, not likely but possible. Its the fingerprint requirement that has to be run using hard cards that are mailed and scanned and it takes a while.
25) I dont know what YOU should do about SA either. They might not accept you, and if they do will it be worth it for you without attending a fair and depending on what vacancy subject areas you pursue. If coin is really tight pass, if you got it to spare, the jobs database for elementary, SPED/SEN/LD and ESOL is extensive, but that would be the only real benefit youd likely find of value. However, now is the time to get a premium agency profile and registration ready. Vacancies will start appearing in October, which isnt that far away.
Re: Career advice-sol
@PsyGuy
A huge thank you for your time and thorough answers!! I will use your guide to help me process the various steps I need to make in moving forward. Since SPED/SEN/LD is getting better and has grown in recent years, I may have a chance in finding an LS position in primary. I need to sort out my credentials and hope my IDA certification will support my candidacy. I am going to review FL certification this month. I am a paid member on ISR, but recently joined this forum. Can we can send a PM to members on this forum? Can I contact you via subject line in the future? Appreciate your time and thank you again!! Sol
A huge thank you for your time and thorough answers!! I will use your guide to help me process the various steps I need to make in moving forward. Since SPED/SEN/LD is getting better and has grown in recent years, I may have a chance in finding an LS position in primary. I need to sort out my credentials and hope my IDA certification will support my candidacy. I am going to review FL certification this month. I am a paid member on ISR, but recently joined this forum. Can we can send a PM to members on this forum? Can I contact you via subject line in the future? Appreciate your time and thank you again!! Sol
Reply
@Sol
SPED/SEN/LD is the pathway with the strongest outcomes for you, its the easiest to spin.
PMs are not supported on the open forum, and I dont disclose my ID on the paid member forum. You can post another message to the open (free) forum by topic or directed too a member in the subject line.
Finally, I was a surprised that a few of the other major contributors didnt reply or post, there are a number of major contributors who have varying and different POVs than I do.
SPED/SEN/LD is the pathway with the strongest outcomes for you, its the easiest to spin.
PMs are not supported on the open forum, and I dont disclose my ID on the paid member forum. You can post another message to the open (free) forum by topic or directed too a member in the subject line.
Finally, I was a surprised that a few of the other major contributors didnt reply or post, there are a number of major contributors who have varying and different POVs than I do.