Thanks for the advice, MSR and Spedhead. I agree that it
makes a lot of sense to continue working in schools, while
working on adding another in-demand endorsement to my license.
I have a couple of concerns/questions about these
suggestions.
First, since I've been subbing for three years already, I feel
worried that if I continue to just add more years of subbing
experience, it will be seen as a negative on my application. I
suppose I haven't done any subbing in this area yet, though,
since I just moved here, it is a little different.
Does anyone have an opinion on whether subbing or working as
an instructional assistant is a better way to get "in" at a
school or district? One of the things I like least about
subbing is that I really miss working with a group of
co-workers and students I know really well. Because of that,
I'm leaning towards looking for an instructional assistant
position...
How do you pick a school to try to work at? The other thing I
feel is a downside of the subbing/IA approach is that you sort
of just have to be really lucky. If you end up subbing or
working at a school that just doesn't happen to have any
social studies openings over the next couple of years, you are
out of luck. I suppose if you get to know the administrator
well enough, he or she might be willing to pick up the phone
and recommend you at a nearby school, though....
My concern about adding the extra endorsement is that I feel
sort of philosophically opposed to applying to teach in an
area that I don't feel passionate about. I became a social
studies teacher because I LOVE it, and I would feel bad going
into something like special education just for the ease of
getting a job. All kids deserve teachers who are passionate
about what they do, and I'm afraid I wouldn't feel as
passionately about sped. Maybe I would though, after I got
into it. :)
Another question: would adding a language arts/English
endorsement make me more marketable? Does anyone have a sense
of whether teachers with endorsements in Social Studies and
English have an easier time finding jobs than those with just
one or the other?
I appreciate the advice, and really hope to hear more!
On 8/20/08, Aspiring Social Studies Teacher wrote:
> It seems as if it is about too late to hold onto much hope
> for finding the dream job this year, so I'm trying to stay
> positive and focus on what I can do to prepare myself for
> next spring and summer.
>
> I graduated in spring 2004 and did my student teaching in
> middle and high school social studies (Minnesota) that fall.
> I've been subbing in Oregon since then, for 3.5 years. (My
> husband and I moved for his education.)
>
> Now that my husband is done with graduate school, I am
> hoping to have more time to do things to strengthen my
> application for the next school year. Over the past three
> years, my main focus has been on subbing and working at my
> other two jobs as much as possible, to pay the bills and get
> us started off on the right track financially. I just
> didn't have the time to do much else besides work. It has
> been very difficult to sub/waitress/office temp this long,
> but I'm trying to pump myself up for one more year
> (hopefully only one). My goal is to have only one job and
> have enough time to do other things to strengthen my
> application.
>
> I'm thinking of volunteering and getting involved in
> community organizations regarding my interests, which
> include education (obviously!), history, social justice, and
> politics. I'm wondering if the wise folks out there on this
> message board have any advice as per the BEST way to spend
> my time over the next year. I know that networking and
> getting to know other teachers and administrators is
> important, too, but I'm not sure what the best way to do
> that is.
>
> My goal is to put myself in the best position possible and
> "prepare for success."
>
> It is kind of cheesy, but my dad always has said "luck is
> when preparation meets opportunity." That makes sense to
> me... So now is the time to start preparing for next summer!
>
> Eagerly awaiting your advice!
1996 - 2008. All Rights Reserved. Please review our