Re: thinking of becoming a teacher.. I need your opinion...

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Hi, sorry for the late reply but I haven't been on the boards in awhile
and this thread spoke to me in volumes. Add about 8-10 years to your age
and one more kid, have your layoff be about a year ago, and you are me (I
was in IT and jaded with the corporate world as well).

I just finished the ARC summer program for middle school Math. The summer
program has both middle and high school math, the fall just high school
math, though a high school certificate will let you teach middle school
math as well.

Generally, math candidates do get hired somewhere (it will often be
an "urban" district), but this year may be the exception as I know of only
a couple of people who have jobs so far (there were 20 people in the HS
group, and 13 in the MS group), but who knows what will happen in the next
couple of weeks. The MS group had an "alumni day" where 6 of the 12
people from last year's MS class came to talk about their first year, 5 of
the 6 did have jobs by the start of the school year, 2 of which had
multiple offers, the other one got a job mid-year (in the spring). I have
sent out about 50 applications (though only a few were for districts with
actual openings, I just wanted to get on their "system" for future
openings), have had two actual interviews for jobs I didn't end up getting
and also one phone interview for another position, so I'm not one of those
lucky ones who have a job.

As for layoffs, it can be budgets, or it can be that you do not get your
contract renewed for the next year. You can also be laid off in June due
to budget but still called back in August if you haven't found employment
elsewhere (because a surprise retirement that doesn't get replaced opens
budget money). But after 4 years in the same position you get tenure.

I hope that helps. Good luck!

On 7/23/09, Charlie wrote:
> Thanks for the reply! How do teachers end up losing jobs anyway. Is it
> through budget cuts that teachers are laid off? Are teachers jobs
> evaluated every year and the under performing ones are let go? I've
> always assumed that once you're in, you're in.
>
> Regarding the low 30's to mid 40's starting salary range, what are the
> annual increases for teachers? Are the benefits good? any kind of
> pension plan? do they usually stay at 40k for the rest of your career?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Charlie
>
> On 7/21/09, Math Teach wrote:
>> Charlie: The average salary is roughly $40,000. That's if you can
>> get a job, with the ritzy towns paying in the mid 40's, and some
>> towns paying in the low 30's. One does not teach to get rich. I was
>> working as an actuarial assistant at a Manhattan insurance company
>> over 20 years ago, and left with a salary in the 40's!
>>
>> It's harder this year than last (I have 20 applications out there,
>> and I've had one interview). There is NO shortage of math teachers.
>> Sure, there are 35 vacancies posted on CT reap and CEA, but I
>> personally know of five teachers looking for work (from only two
>> high schools).
>>
>> If you want to consider ARC, you just missed the deadline for the
>> FALL program. The deadline for the Summer 2010 program is in
>> January, meaning you'll graduuate next August, and be working next
>> September, at the earliest.
>>
>> http://www.ctdhe.org/ARC/default.htm
>>
>> If you want to teach in a "shortage" area, such as math and
>> science, you may be able to teach under a "Beyond 40 day sub"
>> certificate, or a "DSAP" permit. However, due to the number of
>> teachers looking for work, chances of that happening is slim.You
>> might also consider working at a private school where NO
>> certification is necessary. I attended a private school on Long
>> Island. None of my math teachers was certified. However, they were
>> all math majors.
>>
>> Since you missed the deadline for ARC, why not give UConn, Central
>> (or other)State U a call, and talk to someone in their education
>> departments?
>>
>> On 7/21/09, Charlie wrote:
>>> Thank you for the reply! Where should I start to map out what I
>>> need to do to be a tacher? should I contact local colleges to
>>> see what path I should take? Also, what is the average begining
>>> salary of a Math teacher or teachers in general?
>>>
>>> Thanks again for the reply!
>>>
>>> -Charlie
>>>
>>> On 7/17/09, Math Teach wrote:
>>>> You can look into the ARC program, but many view ARC
>>>> graduates as "half baked" teachers.
>>>>
>>>> What would you like to teach? IT does not automatically imply
>>>> math. Being an MCSD or MCP does not make one an expert at
>>>> Diffy-Q's or Linear/Matrix algebras. If you were a math major
>>>> (or have 30 credits in math), then you might want to look
>>>> into ARC.
>>>>
>>>> I personally would get a Masters in a subject (Math or
>>>> Physics) and take ed classes to go along with that. Or, once
>>>> you're done with ARC, you can get a M.S. in Math or physics.
>>>>
>>>> Being 35 is NOT too old to change careers. I got into
>>>> teaching 3 years ago, and watched Ed Sullivan, Ted Mack's
>>>> Amatueur Hour, and Mr.Ed on Sunday nights! :)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 7/16/09, Charlie C wrote:
>>>>> I have just been let go from my job (I'm in IT). I've been
>>>>> in the corporate world for what feels like forever.
>>>>> Although the pay is good, i've always felt a little empty
>>>>> working in the corporate world. I am 33 years old and have
>>>>> a wife and 8 month old daughter. I need an honest answer,
>>>>> however hard it may be to hear, but is it too late for me
>>>>> to become a teacher? I've always been good with math/
>>>>> physics, and obivously technology. With an 8 month old
>>>>> daughter to support, how hard will the road be? i've read
>>>>> somewhere that there is a period of a year where you do not
>>>>> collect a paycheck while in the process of becoming a
>>>>> teaching in CT. Is this true?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>> Charlie
 

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