JennRenee....more Ed/school questions :)

Hi JennRenee !! can I pick your brain please ?


More Education questions...please!
I'm doing some schools research for myself...
going to Queens College (only maybe 2 days a week to start since i'll be adjusting to motherhood) would be great for me, as far as getting babysitting while I go to class (my mom and MIL are very close by there!)

But Im questioning... 2 things
1) They do not place for student teaching on Long Island (boo hoo!) I really cant go to the boroughs on a daily basis, someone at Dowling told me there is no reason why they cant make an exception, if I had a note from someone at a school out here. QC claims they dont have any 'programs' or supervision for student teaching at any LI schools. do you know anything about this topic ?Also, how long is student teaching? Full time for a semester ? or does it depend on the school?

2) my next question is, do you know if they (schools when hiring teachers) look at what school you went to as a major factor ? I know Dowling has a good rep out here (and what a gorgeous campus!!), but I would lose 6 of my already completed 12 credits, and I would have to go at nite while DH babysat, and i'd probably be pooped ! I'm sure Queens college would not be a top choice for Long Island schools, lol, but it would really work best for me, if i could work out the stud tchg thing with them.
Hey a Masters is a Masters.

Also, QC told me I start out with getting 18cr for the certification program. Would this certif program allow me to start teaching ?

I think thats all my questions for now, im getting mixed up with all this info !

Thanks for listening and giving your words of advice !!

:)
Anna

Hi Anna! I'm so glad that you are really looking into teaching! Based on reading your posts, I think you're going to be an amazing teacher!!!

First of all, I THINK (and I stress think because I'd hate to tell you something and be dead wrong) that the only thing stopping Queens College from allowing you to student teach on Long Island is that their supervisors would then have to drive to LI to observe you, which they probably think is an inconvenience. I agree with the person at Dowling, if you were able to get a note from a school out here that is willing to allow you to student teach, and tell them (QC) that it is in the best interest of your child that you be near by, they would probably consider waiving their rule. It's definitely something to look into. In fact, when the time comes, my principal is AWESOME, and I'd speak to her about getting you a spot, if you'd like. Also, student teaching is most often a full semester, 5 full days a week, but I've heard of schools that do it for 1 semester part time, and 1 semester full time, but I think that's only on the undergrad level.

In my experience, school are more likely to look at your college when you have only an undergrad degree, but I've never heard of ANYONE who was or wasn't hired because of the school they graduated from. At my school we have lots of girls who graduated from upstate and out of state schools, along with people who went to school on LI. I really don't think it matters at all, so you really should go to the school that works best in your schedule. You're right... a master's is a master's!

I'm not sure if the 18 credits that you will be getting toward certification would allow you to teach right away. I think you might be limited to subbing, but I'm not sure, since certifcation requirements have changed since I received mine. Again, it's definitely something to look into.

I hope I answered all of your questions, and if not, I'd be happy to try again. Keep me posted, and GOOD LUCK!!!

Thank you sooo much for the chock-full of info-response you wrote !!

Im going to be speaking to Grad Couns at QC in early Aug, so I hope to resolve my St Tchg concerns and be able to register for Spring03.
I wouldnt even mind the student teaching in Queens since i have babysitting there... but QC on the phone couldnt even guarantee me that (they lady was rude on the phone, and was not a grad couns, so i refuse to settle for her answer!
Even tho its probably 2 years down the road, I wanted to be somewhat ready with what to expect.

Thanks for the compliment, i'm sure you ARE an amazing teacher !! (that wedding pic you have with the kids is priceless!)


Thanks again for all the info !
See you Tuesday !

My pleasure, Anna! See you on Tuesday!