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Beginning Teachers Chatboard

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by Mike

Oct 20, 2011

Hello: My son recently graduated as a music teacher. All I hear from him is a bunch of regulations that restrict his job hunt. Even private music lessons are out of the question, because of some regulations, I’m told. For example, one is required to take classes to be certified as a substitute teacher, even though he has an Illinois teaching certificate. Medical tests are to be obtained, before any position can be had. Background checks have to be supplied by outside contractors. So, please tell me how one can pay for these things when one gets out of school with loads of debit; without having a job first? Are these roadblocks in place to discriminate or protect and are these real? Thanks in advance. Mike

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KK Hi,

I haven't taught in Illinois, but I have taught in several states, including Iowa and Missouri. I was also a music teacher for six years. 1) Have never heard of music teachers being unable to give lessons on the side. Maybe they can't do it on school property, but at a studio or out of home on weekends? Many grade-level teachers suppl...See MoreHi,

I haven't taught in Illinois, but I have taught in several states, including Iowa and Missouri. I was also a music teacher for six years. 1) Have never heard of music teachers being unable to give lessons on the side. Maybe they can't do it on school property, but at a studio or out of home on weekends? Many grade-level teachers supplement income by tutoring at Sylvan, and I don't see how that would be different. The only thing I can see is that a music teacher's schedule, especially at the middle and high school levels, is pretty full with school activities, so keeping your lesson schedule would be tricky.

2)Additional classes to be a sub when you hold certification also is new to me, unless it's a one-time workshop for that district or something. Maybe they are requiring it so he can sub in core subjects and not just music? He might find out--if he wants to only sub in music and is certified in that, he shouldn't need any additional sub classes.

3) Medical check--this is usually just a TB test. It is really common, and I have been hired right when school was starting and was still getting it checked during the first couple of days of school.

4) Background check--this is also common in every school district. Many districts also require parent volunteers (who chaperone field trips, for example) to get fingerprinted and have background checks done. It is a hassle because it can be sort of like the DMV in terms of finding the location, getting an appointment in time, and paying a fee that seems unfair given the amount of time they spend with you.

None of it is easy to pay for--especially when you have to transition to a new professional wardrobe from college wear, too. I'm guessing these roadblocks are in place for everyone so the district can say it did everything possible if something bad should happen. It's really hard when you are just trying to plan lessons and get your classroom set up and instead you have to run all over town getting forms signed for someone's bureaucratic system, but it's common.

On 10/20/11, Mike wrote: > Hello: > My son recently graduated as a music teacher. All I hear > from him is a bunch of regulations that restrict his job > hunt. Even private music lessons are out of the question, > because of some regulations, I’m told. For example, one is > required to take classes to be certified as a substitute > teacher, even though he has an Illinois teaching > certificate. Medical tests are to be obtained, before any > position can be had. Background checks have to be supplied > by outside contractors. So, please tell me how one can pay > for these things when one gets out of school with loads of > debit; without having a job first? Are these roadblocks in > place to discriminate or protect and are these real? > Thanks in advance. > Mike

Oct 20, 2011

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Sara On 10/20/11, Mike wrote: > Hello: > My son recently graduated as a music teacher. All I hear > from him is a bunch of regulations that restrict his job > hunt. Even private music lessons are out of the question, > because of some regulations, Iï¿½m told.

This one doesn't sound right. You'd have to tell us more about this...See More