Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

Leelee Posted: Jun 26, 2003 03:19 PM

Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

I'm attempting to get my provisional certification this coming fall/spring...I have my BA in music and would like to teach elementary music. Here's the problem...
I have been to Adelphi on Monday. They were really vague in what I needed to do to get to this point. They gave me a print out from the NYS site and I need 4 classes, the seminars, I need to take 2 tests and student teach. I wasn't delighted with the people there and have decided to check out a few more schools in Nassau.
I just spent about an hour calling Hofstra and getting bumped around by 4 different academic offices.
Does anyone out there have a certification officer I could speak to or any suggestions???
I'm very anxious to get the balling rolling on this and so far, I'm very discouraged.

help!!!!

joeslauren Posted: Jun 26, 2003 03:25 PM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

Hey Leelee -
I just posted something like this this morning as I am attempting a career change M of Ed program at St. John's... I am starting by filing for a provisional cert at the Nassau Boces office in Garden City. (Clinton Ave / Stewart Ave). They have counselors there that can help you. Not extremely helpful but may be a start. And apparently if you file with one of these offices, it is quicker than waiting for Albany to respond to you on a provisional cert.

Leelee Posted: Jun 26, 2003 03:26 PM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

See...this is where I'm partly confused...
One of the women at Hofstra referred me there. I don't understand that though...is that only if you have classes in education? I've never taken a single education class!
I'm soooooo confused!!!!!

Leelee Posted: Jun 26, 2003 03:34 PM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

I know there are more teachers out there....please help!!!!

joeslauren Posted: Jun 26, 2003 03:41 PM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

Sorry - I'm not a teacher but aspiring to be! I don't have any edu classes either. You file your application with them (BOCES) and they send it up to the state. You could do this one your own but the BOCES people are SUPPOSED to be there to guide you thru the process and help you with any q's you may have. Then, from my understanding the state writes you back and tells you what your deficiencies are and what you would ahve to take before even going for your Masters. That is for my case at least. Hope this helps! I am going for a provisional in Elementary Ed. Beware - put your boxing gloves on before you enter the BOCES office. That was my experience at least!

Leelee Posted: Jun 26, 2003 03:50 PM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

Really?? Sounds scary!! I actually have been to the NYS site and I've seen everything I need to get my provisional certification..and then I'd have 3 years to get my Master's.
Adelphi told me I needed 4 classes but I have no idea which classes, where would be a good fit, if this is right path to be heading down. I wasn't pleased with the advice I got at Adelphi and Hofstra couldn't give me a straight answer.
Looks like we're in the same boat!

joeslauren Posted: Jun 26, 2003 04:03 PM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

Yes - seems as though we are. Are you trying to become a Music teacher or regular teacher? We'll keep each other posted and try to help each other out! What NYS site are you using? Maybe that'll help me? I was told by BOCES off the bat that I need 6 credits in English, 6 in language, 6 in Math, 6 in Science, and 6 in History. I have all those. I'll just wait to see what EDU classes they require of me. BUT, there is a way to take your EDU deficient classes thru an exam and get credit for them instead of physically sitting thru a semester in class. I took some of these exams called DANTE and CLEP exams and know some EDU classes can be done that way. self study. Not for grad school,but just to fulfill deficiencies...

prncssrachel Posted: Jun 26, 2003 04:31 PM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

LeeLee, I FMed you!

Sasha96 Posted: Jun 26, 2003 06:56 PM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

DH and I have been trying to figure this out for him b/c he wants to do a change of career to education as well. He wants technology education-secondary. This has been a helpful discussion. I know that when I got certified (speech-language therapist) for the schools I needed 3 education classes and student teaching in addition to the tests, 2 seminars and fingerprinting. I was wondering if this could be done (for DH) as just those classes and student teaching with his bachelor's already finished. I think he would then have 3 or 5 years to get his masters. I have been told that he should file for the provisional and get the deficiency list before the change of regulations in Feb. so that it is POSSIBLE he could be grandfathered in by the old regulations.

If anyone has any info. to help, please let me know. I will keep you updated if I find anything else out.

Leelee Posted: Jun 27, 2003 11:48 AM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

wanted to bump this...
Any other teachers with info???

Leelee Posted: Jun 27, 2003 11:53 AM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

Here's the link for the NYS higher education site:

http://www.highered.nysed.gov/

prncssrachel Posted: Jun 27, 2003 11:55 AM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

LeeLee, did you get my FM?

Leelee Posted: Jun 27, 2003 12:20 PM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

I most certainly did...
I'll write ya back!

joeslauren Posted: Jun 27, 2003 12:36 PM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

thanks leelee - where on the site did you see what you needed to take? i thought thats what you said you found on here???

Marnles Posted: Jun 27, 2003 12:53 PM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

Leelee-
Although I teach, I can't help you with this one...I did my undergrad in teaching, so it was different (and a while ago)...wishing you the best of luck in figuring this out!

swags1016 Posted: Jun 27, 2003 01:07 PM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

Leelee

Since the requirements have changed since I also got my permanent certification I am not sure. I would call Boces and ask them. They are the ones that tell you what you still need to do!!!

Good Luck!!

Leelee Posted: Jun 27, 2003 02:12 PM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

sorry girls...I should have specificied where on the site to go...
This is the right link:

http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/

Leelee Posted: Jun 27, 2003 03:08 PM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

Anyone have the BOCES number??

Thanks girls!!!! I'm glad I'm not alone!!!

joeslauren Posted: Jun 27, 2003 03:10 PM

Re: Need help from teachers...very frustrated!!!

Ahhh - I have it at home! But surely I got it thru 411. And once you get the office, ask for the certification dept. As if that wasn't obvious... but just incase!