I know that I had mentioned this in a previous post, but it is very important! When I was subbing at Bedford, the principal told me that because I was dual certified, I had a better chance of getting a job! The more certifications and content areas you have the better. There are teachers here that are going back to get another certification to make sure their job is secure. This is also why I am getting my vocational certification. That will open up about 5 more classes that I can teach. If I were to go back and get another major/minor, it would be in a core subject. With all of the changes at the state level, the jobs that are most secure are in the core content areas (in my opinion). By moveable, I mean be open and ready to teach all areas that you are certified in. I must admit I was a little terrified when they told me they wanted me to move to a business position. I had never taught in a business class!! But I did it, and succeeded!! It must have been the wonderful instruction of the Business Ed. Department at CMU;-)
What core subject would you most prefer to teach if you had to? My minor is math so I'm hoping that will open a few more doors for me, but to be honest I don't feel ready to teach any math courses!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I felt the same way about business because it was my minor also. Once you start doing it, and hopefully veteran teachers will help you, you'll be fine:) If I had to go back and get certified in a core subject, it would probably be English. None of the cores interested me in college, but at the time I didn't realize that the high school requirements would change as much as they did!
DeleteThis is really helpful and I'm glad that a year ago, even though I didn't want to, signed on an English Major. I figured it was the lesser of three evils of Math, Science, and English. It makes me laugh because business writing is totally different and almost opposite of English writing. I struggle sometimes differentiating between the two, but I have actually grown to like it.
ReplyDeleteThey are very different! We use to teach business writing in our freshman course (what I teach), but realized they just didn't get it! They cannot grasp that concept. So now they do it at a higher level (business management, accounting,etc.).
DeleteAs you read in my introduction, I have dual concentrations, as well as four minors. They are non-teaching, but that also means I could get a job in a different field. I am hoping to teach a few years in an urban, low SES district to start off, then I will go where God calls me and where I can find a career!
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to have options!! A low SES district will definitely open your eye to a whole new world!! The school I'm in now is a very wealthy district, but there are some students with low SES, but hardly any diversity here. The school I did my student teaching at was very diverse!! It was eye opening:) Some days I really struggle with what these kids have to go through, or already have gone through:( I grew up in a good home with parents who have been married for almost 40 years! I had no clue what their lives were like. There have been several times where I wanted to bring them home with me! lol, not sure my husband would be pleased if I kept bringing home teenagers!
DeleteDo most of the districts help cover the cost if you decide to go back and get another certification? How long do you think it will take you to get, while you are teaching? How challenging is it teaching classes and also taking classes?
ReplyDeleteOur district covers $90 per credit hour, which at graduate level prices, is not much:( However, you do not qualify for that reimbursment until you have 19 credits post bachelor! So I get nothing for my classes so far. I have one more class to finish my business major, then I will start on my masters. I hoping (funds depending) that I can get it done in 2 years. As I said in our discussion yesterday, I am looking at doing it all online.
ReplyDeleteIt is challenging to take classes and teach. Even with this class, I found myself "forgetting" about it for a few days.