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by Love math teaching

Sep 9, 2011

I have BS degree in Teaching Physics (from a foreign university) and Masters in Math (from Harvard University). I possess Massachusetts teacher license in Math (5-8 and 8- 12). I don't have experience and interviews are not my forte. Plus, my first language is not English. That also explains why interviews are not my forte. With having so many shortcomings, I am unemployed and depressed. I applied for substitute teaching position in order to gain some experience, and have been accepted but they haven't called me for work yet. My baby's day care is $350/week and in this case I won't even be able to afford it. All I want to do is to teach math. I don't want to work in any other field. I appreciate any advice on my situation.

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just a thought Find someone who can do practice interviews with you. Appearing prepared and confident in the actual interview will help. Good luck!

On 9/09/11, Love math teaching wrote: > I have BS degree in Teaching Physics (from a foreign > university) and Masters in Math (from Harvard University). > I possess Massachusetts teacher license in ...See More

Sep 10, 2011

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Math Teach Love Math Teaching:

You and I are in the same boat. I too have a math degree, and am currently a graduate student in math. A few things I've learned about the attitudes of principals (read hiring managers) and "math teachers"

1) Having a degree in math is not an asset when looking for a math teaching position. Too many "math teach...See MoreLove Math Teaching:

You and I are in the same boat. I too have a math degree, and am currently a graduate student in math. A few things I've learned about the attitudes of principals (read hiring managers) and "math teachers"

1) Having a degree in math is not an asset when looking for a math teaching position. Too many "math teachers" have degrees in education, with the attitude that they can teach any subject. They tend to choose math as a subject to teach because that's "where the jobs are", instead of having a passion for math. These are the types who pat themeselves on their backs for squeaking through Calc II. They couldn't tell an Eigenvector from a cotangent bundle if their lives depended on it.

2) There are far too many math teacher wannabees in the hiring pool, because of lowered Praxis standards. This is due to Inner City schools complaining that their minority candidates are "discouraged" and too few of them can pass the "difficult" Praxis II exam, which resulted in an "Achievement Gap" between city and suburban schools. Problem is: When a math major from the suburbs applies to a city school to address the "problem", (s)he is greeted with "Now why do you want to teach in a city school?", just as I was at a job fair in New Britain, CT almost three years ago.

Just look at how Connecticut addressed this problem:

[link removed]

So, Love Math Teaching: May I suggest that you make an ultimate goal to teach at a 2 or four year college, where at least 1) Your math degree is not only appreciated, but a requirement. 2) The Education major "Jack-of-all-trades" types don't qualify as applicants.

That's what I'm doing, as I work as a sub, still looking for a job.

On 9/09/11, Love math teaching wrote: > I have BS degree in Teaching Physics (from a foreign > university) and Masters in Math (from Harvard University). > I possess Massachusetts teacher license in Math (5-8 and 8- > 12). I don't have experience and interviews are not my > forte. Plus, my first language is not English. That also > explains why interviews are not my forte. With having so > many shortcomings, I am unemployed and depressed. I applied > for substitute teaching position in order to gain some > experience, and have been accepted but they haven't called > me for work yet. My baby's day care is $350/week and in > this case I won't even be able to afford it. All I want to > do is to teach math. I don't want to work in any other > field. I appreciate any advice on my situation.

Sep 10, 2011

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Leah You sound very qualified to teach at a community college. Is that a possibility?

Meanwhile, I like to idea of practicing an interview with someone else. In addition, the following article and it's links may provide some helpful information even if you are not going to teach at elementary level.

Best wishes!

Sep 10, 2011

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Zodea Are you applying at private schools? Sometimes they hire people from non-traditional backgrounds more quickly than public schools. Also consider subbing at private schools. They often do not have as large pool of subs to choose from.

Sep 11, 2011

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baby during the day for now. nfm On 9/09/11, Love math teaching wrote: > I have BS degree in Teaching Physics (from a foreign > university) and Masters in Math (from Harvard University). > I possess Massachusetts teacher license in Math (5-8 and 8- > 12). I don't have experience and interviews are not my > forte. Plus, my first language is not English. That also >...See More

Sep 19, 2011

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