English/Language Arts or Special Education

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High School English Teachers Chatboard

English/Language Arts or Special Education

by Mary

Aug 18, 2013

I'm in my early sixties and am hoping to find a teaching job. I am actually a retired elementary teacher with Reading certification. I want to make myself more marketable and am thinking about taking some classes to get certified in either Special Ed or English/Language Arts. Since there is no Middle School English chat board I'm wondering if you could give me your opinion. Would I be a more desirable candidate in a middle school with special ed or English/Language Arts certification (in addition to my current elementary and reading certifications). Thanks so much. (By the way do you think my age will play a factor?).

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pixie - it depends on your local job market There is no way to generalize. You need to research your area, or the areas where you want to live. You say you want to make yourself more marketable. Have you already tried getting an elem position? If you have not been able to get hired in elem, what evidence do you have that taking more courses would make a difference? Many people have posted on...See MoreThere is no way to generalize. You need to research your area, or the areas where you want to live. You say you want to make yourself more marketable. Have you already tried getting an elem position? If you have not been able to get hired in elem, what evidence do you have that taking more courses would make a difference? Many people have posted on these chatboards about ageism and who-you-know or who-you-are-related-to being key factors in whether you get a job. There are plenty of young, new ed. college grads who need jobs. Many have family members employed in school systems who will help them get jobs. This is your competition. I am certified in sped and secondary English and have been subbing for a long time. Sped is no longer a ticket to a job in my area. Other areas may differ. I just posted on the job seekers board with links to two areas that seem to be looking for teachers. Can you relocate? I would not incur student loan debt just on the off chance of getting a teaching job. And keep in mind that the more education you have the more expensive you may be to hire compared to a new grad with just a bachelor's degree. Sometimes you hear of older teachers getting their dream job with no age discrimination or nepotism problems, so it does happen. Are you subbing? Several teachers in a a school district where I used to sub told me that the district likes to hire people in their 20s, especially young men. If you are Latino or bi-lingual or can coach a sport, that would be an advantage.

On 8/18/13, Mary wrote: > I'm in my early sixties and am hoping to find a teaching > job. I am actually a retired elementary teacher with > Reading certification. I want to make myself more > marketable and am thinking about taking some classes to get > certified in either Special Ed or English/Language Arts. > Since there is no Middle School English chat board I'm > wondering if you could give me your opinion. Would I be a > more desirable candidate in a middle school with special ed > or English/Language Arts certification (in addition to my > current elementary and reading certifications). Thanks so > much. (By the way do you think my age will play a factor?).

Aug 18, 2013

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Retited Teacher On 8/18/13, Mary wrote: > I'm in my early sixties and am hoping to find a teaching > job. I am actually a retired elementary teacher with > Reading certification. I want to make myself more > marketable and am thinking about taking some classes to get > certified in either Special Ed or English/Language Arts. > Since there is no M...See More

Aug 22, 2013

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