I will be graduating in May 2007 with my bachelors degree in math and am wanting to teach math at the secondary level. I am leaning towards the non-traditional licensure program, but when I apply for teaching jobs I will have no student teaching experience. I was wondering if that will hurt my chances of getting a job, or are schools just looking for "highly qualified teachers", aka have a degree in the area to be taught, passed the appropriate praxis exams, and are licensed. Right now I work for an after- school program at an elementary school, and I teach a sunday school class at church once a month. That's about all of the experience I have. Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks, Ang
I posted this in a thread below but realize that it may be too buried.
I'm in Fayetteville and applying to the non-traditional licensure program. My undergraduate degree was in political science (with a minor in history, and I'm taking the Arkansas history class this coming spring). I practiced law for 15 years with a juris doctor from Cal- Berkeley.
Will I even have a shot at a secondary ed position in social sciences, history, or English in NW Arkansas or am I throwing good money after bad? I know the need in NW Ark isn't as dramatic as in, say, the Delta, so are alternative licensure folks a dime-a-dozen? I'd welcome some insight.
The NTLP program is a straight-forward process. You have to find your own job, but you can apply to schools on the strength of your work history and simply say that you intend to apply to NTLP. I think the deadline to apply to NTLP is late June, so there's plenty of time to interview. Take your Praxis I (it can be taken at several computer testing centers within a few weeks of signup--I know there's on in Ft Smith)and prep everything else to apply to NTLP, and send out some applications. You need to know that you can only license in one subject area (2 for English plus a foreign language), and you must pass the Praxis II for that subject area before most schools will talk to you, so you need to schedule those, once you pass the Praxis I. You better get to know this process, too, otherwise administration types may assume that you don't know what you have to do to get licensed, and you won't interview further.
Some districts have a bias against NTLP, but most are receptive to applicants with extensive prior professional and/or technical experience. BTW, I work with a teacher who also has a JD, and he teaches English.
I would think you would be near the top of the list to interview for open positions, but you could still miss out on jobs, if you haven't subbed and/or gotten to know the head of department and principal at the school(s) where you want to teach.
> > Will I even have a shot at a secondary ed position in > social sciences, history, or English in NW Arkansas or am > I throwing good money after bad? I know the need in NW > Ark isn't as dramatic as in, say, the Delta, so are > alternative licensure folks a dime-a-dozen? I'd welcome > some insight.
On 3/14/07, Hmmm... wrote: > Some school districts claim it is a policy not to hire teachers who are alternatively certified, but if there is a shortage in the area of certification, they will. You will also have to take the Praxis III. I am a Praxis III assessor, so can tell you that you need to be sure to get Pathwise trained. > The NTLP program is a straight-forward process. You have to > find your own job, but you can apply to schools on the > strength of your work history and simply say that you intend > to apply to NTLP. I think the deadline to apply to NTLP is > late June, so there's plenty of time to interview. Take your > Praxis I (it can be taken at several computer testing centers > within a few weeks of signup--I know there's on in Ft > Smith)and prep everything else to apply to NTLP, and send out > some applications. You need to know that you can only license > in one subject area (2 for English plus a foreign language), > and you must pass the Praxis II for that subject area before > most schools will talk to you, so you need to schedule those, > once you pass the Praxis I. You better get to know this > process, too, otherwise administration types may assume that > you don't know what you have to do to get licensed, and you > won't interview further. > > Some districts have a bias against NTLP, but most are > receptive to applicants with extensive prior professional > and/or technical experience. BTW, I work with a teacher who > also has a JD, and he teaches English. > > I would think you would be near the top of the list to > interview for open positions, but you could still miss out on > jobs, if you haven't subbed and/or gotten to know the head of > department and principal at the school(s) where you want to teach. > >> >> Will I even have a shot at a secondary ed position in >> social sciences, history, or English in NW Arkansas or am >> I throwing good money after bad? I know the need in NW >> Ark isn't as dramatic as in, say, the Delta, so are >> alternative licensure folks a dime-a-dozen? I'd welcome >> some insight.
Unless you are willing to take ANY job in ANY school in ANY area in Arkansas, the MAT is the best thing to do. The NTLP really does NOT prepare you for the situations you will face in the classroom. Also, often the support for the teachers going through the program is nonexistent. Definitely find a way to do the MAT.
On 12/27/06, Me too wrote: > On 12/26/06, me wrote: >> Is the MAT program at the University of Arkansas worth it >> or would I be throwing my money away? Is the non- >> traditional licensure just as valid? > > With this program you will recieve a Masters Degree and get licensed with the state > to teach. If you go the non traditional licensure way you will not recieve the money > or knowledge you would have recieved by the MAT program! I am in the MAT > program now and I think that it is the best, really, only way to go!!!!!!
On 12/28/06, yes wrote: > Unless you are willing to take ANY job in ANY school in ANY area > in Arkansas, the MAT is the best thing to do. The NTLP really > does NOT prepare you for the situations you will face in the > classroom. Also, often the support for the teachers going > through the program is nonexistent. Definitely find a way to do > the MAT.
This isn't true. I work at one of the highest-paying schools in the state, and I'm a first year teacher going through NTLP. On the other hand, I have a LOT of prior experience. I went NTLP, because I wanted to start teaching immediately. If you are just coming out of college in your early 20s, you should definitely go MAT, because you won't be able to compete with the other candidates your age that have MATs. If, on the other hand, you have 10+ years in the private sector, especially with a management or technical background, MATs pale by comparison. So, it really depends on your situation. Regardless of which program you go through, you still have to compete for jobs. So, maybe the question should be 'can you get a job, now, or do you NEED the MAT to have a better shot at getting hired?'
Now, having said all that, I find the NTLP office in Little Rock to be overbearing and self-impressed. They can be quite annoying, at times, but if you just do what they tell you to do, you'll be fine... I think the satellite programs do a reasonable job of preparing you for the classroom, IF you've had a few years of prior work experience. I'm not sure that I'd consider it sufficient, if you're looking at getting your first professional job, ever. My goal was to complete my Master's within a few years of starting teaching, and I'm already looking at an MAT program, simply because the program I found is designed to allow me to teach and complete my degree in just over a year. Other degrees that interest me would take at least 2 years to complete, and I'd like to make that lane change to a higher pay rate ASAP.
So, the answer is a bit complicated, and really depends on you.
I recently took the position as Education Curator at the Little Rock Zoo. I am interested in networking with local teachers/schools regarding the possibility of implementing the zoo somehow with curriculum or framework standards. I have a very strong background in Biology and Psychology and have experience with animal training. I am lacking the traditional teaching experience and I am very eager to learn more. Can anyone point me in the right direction on where I should begin? I attended the recent Education Renewal Zone meeting in November, but made minimal contacts. I would appreciate any and all information that anyone could give me!
Thanks!
Pam Swift-Brooks Education Curator Little Rock Zoo pswift-[email removed]
I recently took the position as Education Curator at the Little Rock Zoo. I am interested in networking with local teachers/schools regarding the possibility of implementing the zoo somehow with curriculum or framework standards. I have a very strong background in Biology and Psychology and have experience with animal training. I am lacking the traditional teaching experience and I am very eager to learn more. Can anyone point me in the right direction on where I should begin? I attended the recent Education Renewal Zone meeting in November, but made minimal contacts. I would appreciate any and all information that anyone could give me!
Thanks!
Pam Swift-Brooks Education Curator Little Rock Zoo pswift-[email removed]
On 1/08/07, Tonya wrote: > On 12/30/06, jm wrote: >> How many of you teach TERC? > I teach investigations. I like it for the most part. But of > course, as with most curriculums, there are some things that > it is lacking.
I have my reservations about it, but my students seem to like the program. Most of the members of the Investigations discussion group seem to feel the same way.
I am qualified with a 4 year BA - English and Political Science and my Bachelor of Education -English and Social Studies. I am wondering how difficult it would be to get certified in Arkansas. Also how easy is it to get a job at the junior/senior high level in El Dorado and surrounding areas.
It's easy to license. Go NTLP or look into one of the MAT programs that does initial licensure. I work with a Canadienne who is in her second year of NTLP. Reply to this post, if you want more info. I've set it up to email on reply. As for getting a job, it depends on the school's needs and who you are able to connect with.
On 1/08/07, Cathy wrote:
> I am qualified with a 4 year BA - English and Political > Science and my Bachelor of Education -English and Social > Studies. I am wondering how difficult it would be to get > certified in Arkansas.
I am writing from the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies – part of CALS (Central Arkansas Library System). We are having a program on February 7th that I believe would be very interesting to all teachers.
The program is a lecture delivered by Katherine P. Mitchell (member of the Little Rock School Board) and Maud Woods (teacher during the lost year), entitled “After the Crisis: The ‘Missing Year’ Remembered”. It is about the lost year of 1959 when Little Rock residents voted to close Little Rock’s high schools instead of immediately integrating all schools in the district.
Event Details: Where: Darragh Center, Main Library (100 Rock Street) When: Feb. 7th from noon-1pm
This event is a wonderful precursor to the 50th anniversary of the Central High crisis this fall.
The NTLP program is a straight-forward process. You have to
find your own job, but you can apply to schools on the
strength of your work history and simply say that you intend
to apply to NTLP. I think the deadline to apply to NTLP is
late June, so there's plenty of time to interview. Take your
Praxis I (it c...See More