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

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Even the Inner City districts do not hire. I went to the Job Fair at New
Britain last October. They had openings for their HS. I was all but told
that because I was teaching at a respectable suburban school, I would not
qualify for their district. I get angry at this because it's the "Inner City"
districts that claim they can't get teachers (meanwhile there are 20
applicants/job for the suburban ones). This creates a "shortage area" such
as math, which ends up with passing Praxis 2 scores being lowered (One needs
a 137 for the 7-12 Math- anyone with a pulse can pass this one).

I did get interviewed at New Canaan, and Woodstock recently. I'm waiting to
hear. I didn't even get an interview at a local district where I've subbed
for the past two years- and lived for the past ten. (loyalty pays off, huh?).

Oh, and forget the job fairs such as SHARC. One guy asked me if I am
comfortable with Calculus! (Um, no. I was only a math major, having 15
credits in four calc courses, including Analysis), not to mention cources in
ODE's and PDE's, etc.

I've been accepted and will be getting my M.S. in applied (classical) math.
I briefly considered a master's in math education, but I'm leaning towards
teaching in college eventually, where math majors are welcome. Having a math
degree doesn't mean much to the public school system. Cheers.

On 8/19/09, Recent ARC math grad wrote:
> 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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