Teachers, I have a question....

MrsTC Posted: Mar 28, 2005 11:54 AM

Teachers, I have a question....

Since I am pursuing my alternate certification, I do not have my undergrad in education, etc but I do have a BS (and NJ has a 4 week training program for alternate route candidates)-

do you think I will face any adversity from the traditional route teachers? will they think i am clueless?

TracyInQueens Posted: Mar 28, 2005 11:58 AM

Re: Teachers, I have a question....

Nah. You come across as being intelligent.

There will be some teachers who did the tradtional cert thing and they will be clueless anyway. I can only speak for the teachers I work with, but if you are intelligent and care about the kids you will be well-recieved.

Unfortunately certification does not equal intelligence, or dedication. I have some co-workers who have certification and experience, they don't give a sh*t anymore, and they come across like they barely have a pulse!

On the flip side, I have worked with teachers with very little formal training who are dynamite from day 1.

MrsTC Posted: Mar 28, 2005 12:00 PM

Re: Teachers, I have a question....

Thanks Tracy Makes me feel a little better!

cjb88 Posted: Mar 28, 2005 12:52 PM

Re: Teachers, I have a question....

my undergrad is in journalism, and my MS is in education... i am an art teacher

when interviewing they liked that i went into the real world and worked a little bit instead of going right into education...

the state isnt going to give you a certification unless you are qualified in their eyes to teach

MrsTC Posted: Mar 28, 2005 01:04 PM

Re: Teachers, I have a question....

Posted by cjb88

the state isnt going to give you a certification unless you are qualified in their eyes to teach

I know that....that's not what I meant, I meant will I be accepted socially as a peer by the teachers.

cjb88 Posted: Mar 28, 2005 04:38 PM

Re: Teachers, I have a question....

of course you will be accepted!!! Plus, no one really knows what everyone's background is... especially now since so many people are going back to school to become teachers after having another career....I dont think you have anything to worry about!

MrsTC Posted: Mar 28, 2005 04:41 PM

Re: Teachers, I have a question....

Posted by cjb88

of course you will be accepted!!! Plus, no one really knows what everyone's background is... especially now since so many people are going back to school to become teachers after having another career....I dont think you have anything to worry about!

Thank you Let's pray they accept my credentials...I have a BS in Business Admin and I had a 3.2 GPA and 4 years of HR experience.

Goldi1021 Posted: Mar 28, 2005 05:02 PM

Re: Teachers, I have a question....

My BS is in TV, Radio and Film Production - I wanted to direct music videos. My MS is in special ed and my program was an extended program that allowed me to get dually certified in ELED and SPED at the same time. All of my education credits and student teaching were done on the master's level. I have been permanently certified for 7 years. The only time where I have seen issues in regard to certifications or types of teachers, is when a special ed teacher finds an alternative method to teaching that a regular ed teacher hasn't . They sometimes become resentful and you clearly see an issue of pride versus an issue of getting a child the information they need presented in the best way. I say if you can teach special ed, you can teach anything.

sarahbelle Posted: Mar 28, 2005 08:48 PM

Re: Teachers, I have a question....

Posted by MrsTC

Posted by cjb88

the state isnt going to give you a certification unless you are qualified in their eyes to teach

I know that....that's not what I meant, I meant will I be accepted socially as a peer by the teachers.

I went through an alternative route. I didn't have a problem with other teachers -- most of them didn't know that I didn't do an education program before coming to teaching.

swags1016 Posted: Mar 28, 2005 09:47 PM

Re: Teachers, I have a question....

Posted by MrsTC

Posted by cjb88

the state isnt going to give you a certification unless you are qualified in their eyes to teach

I know that....that's not what I meant, I meant will I be accepted socially as a peer by the teachers.

Socially nope! I can't see that at all. Besides how would they know this and to be honest why would they care. I know we only care about everyone doing their jobs! Jenn they will adore you have no worries!

CC59 Posted: Mar 28, 2005 09:53 PM

Re: Teachers, I have a question....

I'm sure you'll have no problem! You'd be surprised how many teachers have their Bachelor's in something other than Education! Good Luck!

prncssrachel Posted: Mar 28, 2005 09:59 PM

Re: Teachers, I have a question....

You will be fine! Don't let your insecurities get to ya! I was SO insecure when I first started to teach because my undergrad degree is in music performance, which definitely DID prepare me for what I teach, but I felt less qualified than my colleagues...until I really started to realize that I am not incompetent and because I've LIVED and BREATHED my subject, I have more knowledge than I gave myself credit for. PLUS, I really feel like I know a lot more about certain subjects than a lot of my colleagues who went the 'traditional' root. I feel like I know more about ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome and other things that a lot of teachers I know are not familiar with, mostly because I learned about them because I WANTED to and not because I HAD to in college. Did that make sense? I'm not saying the people I work with are idiots, I'm just saying that I sold myself short, and you definitely shouldn't