How is Suffolk Community College ?

I was just wondering what the overal 'rep' is of this school, as far as finishing a Masters in Education there. I have that or LIU as a choice out here in Suffolk. Are the schools out here very picky about where you went ? I dont feel like driving to Hofstra, lol. Some credits i've completed at Hunter College, NYC.

Any feedback would be helpful !
Thanks !

:)

Suffolk is a 2 year school...dont think you could take classes that could qualify for masters programs there, but I could be wrong.
I did go to college there, and it was joked that is was '13th Grade'.

JennK is correct, Suffolk is a junior college where the highest degree attainable is an associates.
As for getting a master's in education, Dowling has an excellent program. I have 2 friends who have gotten master's in ed. from there, and I have taken a few courses there as well. If you are living in Suffolk county, it's a closer drive than any of the LIU campuses.
In fact, I'm starting a master's in Library and information science in Sept, and I wish I only had to travel to Dowling!
End of commercial...

Thanks for the info, i guess it has the typical CC rep. They do offer some good non-credit classes !

I'll look into Dowling, if I decide to pursue this :)

Thanks again !!

So you can have any Masters to begin teaching ?
Maybe im just misconstruing what im reading...
ok, its the heat, lol.

I hate to sound selfish, but what is the easiest way to get into teaching and have the Board of Ed pay for future schooling ?
I know that teachers that got into teaching after a Bachelors, started teaching, or student teaching and got a MAsters paid for by the Board of Ed, right ?
Because looking at it from where I stand (no experience, just like 12 credits towards a Masters, I did some research on this last year, I would have to :
A) Work at a private school for a year or 2 to get that experience (they accept non-certified and no experience) work at a private school for about 18,000 a year (hard pill to swallow !!! ARG) and also get my Masters in the meantime, which they dont help pay for at all (so in addition to making only 18,000 pr yr, have to pay for a Masters degree). and THEN HOPE and cross my fingers that I can get into a public school with this 'experience'.
How promising or realistic is that ?
B)and my other option sounded like, Just get a masters full time and then HOPE and cross my fingers. How promising is that ?
I really dont want to invest in this Masters if the market for teachers on LI (preferably Suffolk) is so hard to get into. If i had some promise or some light at the end of the tunnel, i would totally go for it, I love children and I think I would love being in the teaching world, but I really dont know if taking this step is the right thing to do.

and which way should i go about it ?
is there any light at the end of the tunnel for me ?

Thanks for your ffeedback !

:)

If your undergrad degree is in education, you need a master's in something related to education that is approved by your district. It can be liberal arts, speech pathology, special ed, reading, education of the gifted, or computers, just to name a few. If your undergrad degree is not in education, you need a master's in education to teach in NY public schools. I know that you can teach in the city schools and in some private/parochial schools while you are earning your ed. master's, but I'm not sure of the guidelines around that.

I hope this clears things up for you, Anna!

I should really read ahead before I reply.

I'm not terribly familiar with the city system, so I can't answer your questions about the city paying for future education, however, I'm a pro with Long Island teacher's requirements and the like.
I work in a very competitive district in a nice part of Suffolk county, and I have many friends who are also public school teachers on Long Island. I can tell you with much certainty that Long Island schools are much easier to get a job with now than they were 6 years ago when I was looking, ESPECIALLY if you are a bit older than the average entry level teacher, and already have a master's. My principal RARELY hires anyone under 25, and as far as I know, I am the only teacher hired in her time as principal without a master's (although I have one now). My friends tell me the same is true in their schools.
I agree with you that working for $18,000 is peanuts, and you will work much harder than your paycheck reflects at that salary, BUT, since you have a baby on the way, it may work to your advantage to take a job in a private school as you work on your master's. Most private grade schools that have a pre-k or toddler program will accept your child for free, therefore giving you experience as well as a place for your child where you will be in close proximity. Of course, this will not help you right now, but it is something to consider.

Okay, I am so completely long winded. It's just that I am passionate about my job, and always excited to see others bitten by the teacher bug. If you have any questions or concerns I'd be more than happy to help.
Good luck!

Thanks for all that info JennRennee, I was bitten by the teacher bug (I like that phrase !!) years ago, I've always adored children, im always the one taking my friends kids to the library (I LOVE seeing a kid that WANTS to read read read), and i'm always the kids games-leader at parties, lol. Ive done several volunteer gigs with kids in the city.

Anyway, maybe i will consider applying for school in January, maybe for evenings, so DH can get home and I can run out to class.. I do wonder though even though they hire 'older than 25' I'm sure they want the 5-6 years of experiencethat you usually have by 25 if you were in that field from the start. IM not trying to be pessimistic, im just trying to see what my odds will be :( .
My Bachelors is not in Education, its in Fashion Merchandising Mgmt from F.I.T. (Sure, Macy's and Bloomies would love that, but i got out of retail a few years ago, lol). So that wont help me at all.

So in the meantime, i'll look into finishing up my Masters while im home with the baby. and then we'll see from there...

Is there a field that is more in demand than others? I hear that Special Ed is in high demand. I speak Italian and Spanish fluently, maybe languages,.... or computers ? Im pretty pc saavy (who isnt,lol)
Or Reading/English ?

Thanks for all the info !! now i have something to put some long thought into !!

Any private schools you recomend (to try to get into) ? I go to St.Patricks as far as church goes... I may start there...

JennRennee
One more thing, im also not far from LIU's Brentwood campus, so it would be between LIU and Dowling. Does one have a better rep than the other ?
Thanks!

Anna,
Since you are good with a pc, my first suggestion to you is as soon as you are ready to work to apply to public schools as a computer lab assistant. You don't need a degree in education to do that, and in my district it is the fastest foot in the door. You work very closely with the principal, office staff, teachers and children, and it's easy to endear yourself to the powers that be! I started that way, and every lab ass't before and after me has been hired in either my school, or if we didn't have positions available, another school in my district.

Special ed and reading jobs are easier to come by, but that also means a longer masters.

If you want to go the private school route first, I've heard good things about St. Pat's school (which is my church too, LOL), and also about St.'s Philip and James. I used to work at The Laurel Hill School in Setauket, and while I find it to be extremely well run, and I would send my own child there in a heartbeat, they are very hard on and demanding of their teachers (for example, I was expected to stay and babysit if a parent of one of my kids was running late and couldn't pick up their child, with very little overtime pay).

Don't be so sure that administrators expect teachers to have experience. They are mostly (at least from what I see in my district and my friends') looking for maturity and good judgement along with knowledge of the field.

I think Dowling and LIU have equally good programs, but I've only had student teachers from Dowling, so I'm not 100% sure.

Good luck if this is what you decide to do!!!

Thanks again JennRennee, so computer lab assistant ? Hmm, sounds like fun ! I would love that !! Where do you find out about openings in the suffolk schools ? I know its a tough time for me to start (im due early OcT) but maybe January ? would they hire as of mid-school year ?
Thanks for letting me pick your brain !!
and for being a motivator !!!!!!!

:)