On 9/23/08, MOM wrote:
> On 9/23/08, Rose wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> I am interested in making a career change from social
>> services to education, however I am not sure if I will be
>> able to without having to go back to school. I have my BS
>> in Bio/ Minor in Chem and a MS in Psychology. Is there
>> anything I can do or a post masters program I could take to
>> go into education. I live in NJ. Any advice or suggestions
>> are welcome. Thanks.
>>
>
NJ is an EXTREMELY hard place in which to find a teaching job.
So, keep that in mind. Your best chances are in upper level
math and science, but even those are getting more and more
resumes. It is very political here, who you know gets you a
job, not what you know.
If you want to give it a try, I would visit the NJDOE website
and see if you have enough credits to teach Chemistry or
another science at the middle or high school level. You may
want to get your transcripts evaluated. If you do have the
right credits, you can apply for a CE in the proper subject.
This is a piece of paper that will allow you to look for a
job. IF you get a job, you can then get into what are called
alternate route classes. You take these for a full school year
at night while you teach during the day. BUT you can only take
them if you have an actual teaching job. That is the hard
part. If you are hired, you will take the classes and be
observed and then at the end of the year, providing this was
successful, you will then be able to apply for your standard
teaching certificate.
If you are looking to teach elementary, FORGET IT! Unless you
know someone very very high up in the schools. If you want to
take a chance, DO NOT go alternate route. Go back to school
and get your certificate in the traditional way, meaning get
you BA in Elementary and do your student teaching. This will
be MUCH better than alternate route, but NO guarantees. There
are so many teachers here looking and not enough jobs for
them. Elementary is the worst; I am talking hundreds, over
1000 resumes for each elementary job. Even the so-called tough
schools do not need elementary. I would never advise anyone to
go for this unless they know someone to get them in.
English, SS, Art, PE, and most other areas are flooded, too.
Be careful. I subbed, graduated with honors, worked as an aide
and could not find a job. It is an unbelievably hard market
for teachers here.
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