Any career change teachers that can offer some guidance?

I currently work in the financial industry and have found in the last year how unhappy I have become. So I went up to the university that I graduated from to inquire about teaching (which I always said I wanted to do) in Nassau and they advised me of a Masters program in Education created just for career change professionals. It's a 42 credit program and they 'say' they will help place me in a school in Nassau. Since then I have gone to the Nassau Boces office and spoken to people. Next week I am going to file the application with the state to check if I have any deficiencies.. which I am sure I do. I also 'heard' that some have gotten their student teaching waived due to life experience. Does anyone know if this is true? Any other guidance or advice you wanna add? Also, if I fulfill my deficiencies, does anyone know if I would be able to start teaching in Nassau before completing my Masters? I would like to teach elementary ed. I also know that everything is changing come Jan 1, 04 so everything I may be doing now can change. They say that they 'may' grandfather applicants in under the curent provisions this year but are not sure what Albany will decide. Any advice?

Re: Any career change teachers that can offer some guidance?

I do not think there is anyway of getting around student teaching. The only time I have heard of this was for shortage areas and it was teaching instead of student teaching, and it was in the city. Yes, you can start teaching without your masters now (that is changing) but that is provided you have the ed credits and are able to have a CQ or provisional. I have never heard of program that will make you more eligible for a job in Nassau then any other program. I do know that my district does have a preference of Molloy grads (of the LI district) but that is because they like the program. But that is only a very SLIGHT edge.

Hope this helps good luck.

Re: Any career change teachers that can offer some guidance?

Thanks Swags... Yeah - that's why I put everything in quotes in my post because this is everything they 'say' in order to get my moohlah! But when the time I comes, I am sure there will be other problems I will face. And it's not Molloy that I went to either.... it's St. John's so who knows.... Thanks for the info. ~Lauren

Re: Any career change teachers that can offer some guidance?

There actually IS a way around student teaching, but it takes 2 years. If you teach in a private school for 2 school years and you meet with a supervisor an equivalent amount of time to how much you would meet with one if you were student teaching, it counts. I know this because this is what I am doing. Although, I am having a hard time finding a job in a private school on LI. And since my job only requires me to work after 3pm(I teach privately), I think I might just do the semester of student teaching. One semester goes fast.

Re: Any career change teachers that can offer some guidance?

I just did this 'change of a career' and I had 9 years managerial experience and I didn't get my student teaching waived, but it really was a valuable experience! I just got my Masters from Hofstra in December in ElEd and I have been subbing ever since. The program for the Masters was a 37 credit program. If you need ANY info please feel free to FM me.

Re: Any career change teachers that can offer some guidance?

I'm an admissions counselor for a local LI college, I work mostly with incoming freshman, but I do know a little about graduate. What I know is that if you aren't graduating before Feb 2004 you will have to follow the new state guidelines. Unfortunately, there is really no way to waive the student teaching because it is required for certification. Also to teach in most LI schools (besides private schools) you need to be certified. Hope this helps, but if you have any other questions feel free to FM me.

Re: Any career change teachers that can offer some guidance?

Thanks girls. That info is definitely VERY helpful to me. And I will be FM'ing you janatlantica! It's all so new to me an just getting tidbits here and there is really important. So the process begins!!! I'll have to look into the private school student teaching though I am sure now is not the time with all the cuts and things.

Re: Any career change teachers that can offer some guidance?

thanks fallin! that's good to know. makes it that much more difficult but what can you do? do u have any idea what these new guidelines will be? i am applying for my provisional certificate next week. we'll see what happens i guess! thanks for the help!

Re: Any career change teachers that can offer some guidance?

Basically they are just making certification harder to get, so they can build a stronger base of teachers. The changes they made are already in the program that you will be entering into, but they are just changes like increased credits, our program went from 36 to 48 (in some areas). Other changes are that you have to be certified to enter special ed programs now. Good Luck with everything. If you need anything else let me know.

Re: Any career change teachers that can offer some guidance?

I gotcha. Alright so nothing for me to worry abot immediately then. Thank GOD! Thanks for the help and you'll probably be hearing from me! :)

Re: Any career change teachers that can offer some guidance?

No problem!