One last thing I wanted to touch on is continuing education. Obviously, the state requires us to continue our education in order to renew our teaching certificate. I was just wondering if any of you plan to pursue that right after undergraduate or wait until you find a teaching job?
I'm not sure I have any wise advice on this matter because I do not have my masters degree, I have been using my vocational certification degree to renew my certificate. I was told in college not to get my masters degree right away because a school would be more likely to hire you with a bachelors since they do not have to pay you as much. Well then I started job hunting and subbing and didn't really have any motivation to start my degree. Then I got married and had children and now I'm dreading having to spend that time away from them. So I guess my suggestion (not that this the right way, but looking back..) is to get it ASAP. If you would rather have a job first (because it is TWICE as much to take grad classes) that is probably smart. However I would do it in your first few years of teaching and before you decide to start a family. That's what I wish I would have done.
Sorry I didn't have more input fromt the other teachers. I didn't want to hound them too much;-) And we were on break last week. Oh well, hopefully you got something out of Brenda's response!
