Help! Been graduated for 8 years and want to classroom!

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High School English Teachers Chatboard

Help! Been graduated for 8 years and want to classroom!

by Nicole

Apr 10, 2013

Hi all! I'm beginning the journey back to education after an 8 year hiatus (if you want to call working elsewhere full time and raising a family a hiatus). I graduated in May of 2005 from USF with my degree in secondary english ed. I'm hoping be in a middle school classroom. My certificate is still good but I'm lost on where to begin preparing myself to interview and then if course to be in the classroom. Any recommendations on courses, websites, blogs, or personal experience you can provide would be appreciated. I live in the Tampa bay are of Florida, so if there are any regional resources anyone could provide that would be amazing. Tia!!

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Why not sub? Isn't subbing a logical next step? It doesn't guarantee a teaching job, and can feel like a dead end, but at let it gets you in the classrooms and gives you the opportunity to brush off your classroom management skills. It also shows employers that you enjoy being in classrooms and working with kids. Maybe you can get a positive reference out of it...See More

Apr 11, 2013

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marjoryt, offering some advice You admitted in your post you'd be lost with getting the classroom ready. I'm pleased that you admit this - many prospective teachers believe that degree stays current.

I was in a much worse position - my B.S. in education dated from 1977 (detours for English Grad School, tech editing and writing, farming) and then wanted to start teaching...See MoreYou admitted in your post you'd be lost with getting the classroom ready. I'm pleased that you admit this - many prospective teachers believe that degree stays current.

I was in a much worse position - my B.S. in education dated from 1977 (detours for English Grad School, tech editing and writing, farming) and then wanted to start teaching after returning to my home state in 1991.

I called the state board of education and they recommended taking 2 refresher courses. That updated my degree, and it got me up to speed with the latest classroom technology and trends. Because I did that, I was "more or less" ready for my first job.

So, contact the state board of education first. They may have a jobs database. They can evaluate your transcript. Consider contacting a local university and ask about summer classes or workshops for teachers. You'll want to research every school district in your commuting area, download the applications, fill them out, and send out. Also, send a copy of those applications to EVERY principal - don't wait for the superintendent's office to forward the info.

In the mean time, volunteer at local schools and apply to be a sub. Tell everyone that you want a teaching job. Realistically, you are starting a little late. Be prepared to take over for a teacher going on maternity leave or losing the position. You may be a last moment call in.

Oh, and start working NOW with Common Core Curriculum AND Florida's website about Common Core.

I wish you luck. I started teaching in 1998, spending 1 year at the first position, another 4 in the next position at an alternative school, and the last 10 years in a community college. I raised 4 kids and finished my master's degree during this period. Certainly, with a good attack plan and follow through, you can jumpstart your career. > > > On 4/10/13, Nicole wrote: >> Hi all! I'm beginning the journey back to education after >> an 8 year hiatus (if you want to call working elsewhere >> full time and raising a family a hiatus). I graduated in >> May of 2005 from USF with my degree in secondary english >> ed. I'm hoping be in a middle school classroom. My >> certificate is still good but I'm lost on where to begin >> preparing myself to interview and then if course to be in >> the classroom. Any recommendations on courses, websites, >> blogs, or personal experience you can provide would be >> appreciated. I live in the Tampa bay are of Florida, so if >> there are any regional resources anyone could provide that >> would be amazing. Tia!!

Apr 17, 2013

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