I was in your shoes about three years ago. I am now teaching both Junior High and High School. Are you wanting to teach business or in another content area? If you want to teach business, don’t take any classes yet. The first thing you want to do is go to the CDE website and request an alternative license packet. The quicker you get this in, the quicker you can get started looking for a job. CDE is really slow! Next, take the PLACE test for your content area. You can also take the PRAXIS. Once you have done all of this, the CDE will issue you a SOE. You can take your SOE and apply for teaching jobs. You have to find a district that is willing to work with you on your alternative license. The smaller and more rural districts have a need for teachers and are more willing to work with you. During your first year, you will attend CDE classes, most likely at a BOCES office. The cost is around $4000.00. My district paid for my classes and then I paid them back through a payroll deduction. After you successfully complete the first year and the classes, you will have your Initial Teaching License.
If you want to teach in a different content area, I would still recommend starting the process. Before issuing a SOE, they will conduct a transcript analysis on your BA work. They will tell you what you need to take to do a different content area.
I hope this helps. Best of luck!
Curtis
PS: Coaching is something that will help you when applying for a job with a SOE. Once again, the smaller and rural ones are very interested in coaches. My district has had many SOE teachers and coaches.
I have a B.S. degree and have just passed the Elementary Ed praxis with flying colors (score: 186). I would like to start teaching ASAP in Special ed. Can someone give me tips about the fastest way to do this?
SharonOn 4/21/10, Sharon Crowley wrote: I am taking my test on Saturday, and hoping I will get it right, but it is alot of material to know at one time. If anyone has any helpful hints, I would greatly appreciate any advise you can give. Thanks1 > On 12/07/09, J wrote: >> On 8/17/09, Kaarem wrote: >>> Hi teachers! I didn't pass the plac...See MoreOn 4/21/10, Sharon Crowley wrote: I am taking my test on Saturday, and hoping I will get it right, but it is alot of material to know at one time. If anyone has any helpful hints, I would greatly appreciate any advise you can give. Thanks1 > On 12/07/09, J wrote: >> On 8/17/09, Kaarem wrote: >>> Hi teachers! I didn't pass the place test again, as you >>> know is hard to know what are the right answers>> really looking for a study partner(s) so we could share the >>> info, study guides and experiences maybe we could figure >>> out a common idea for some questions, please if you or >>> anybody that is going to do it, want to meet once in a >>> while i will really appreciate! if any of ECE Teachers in >>> denver area would have sometime to tutor for some questions >>> i will do that to, let me know if someone can help me a >>> little bit with this.. thank you so much.. >>> >> >> Hello Kaarem >> >> I see that your post is back in August, but I'm wondering if >> you are still studying for the Place test or if you've passed? >> If you are still studying for the exam I'd like to study/share >> material with you. So far I've taken the Place once and did >> not pass. If you have completed the test I would still like to >> speak with you, perhaps you can give me a few pointers on what >> helped you get through it. >> >> Thanks
I took the test back in March for my 2nd time and I passed! My PLACE was Elem Ed, my suggestion would be the following if you are taking this particular place: My biggest challenge the first time was in the social studies and science area. If you haven't had this subject in years focus on the formation of rocks, types of rocks, process of photosynthesis, human body respiratory system, mexican american war, american revolutionary war and local branches of gov't. I personally found there were at least 2 questions per topic I mentioned. Oh, and the biggest rule of thumb is to ONLY change your answer if you KNOW FOR SURE your first response was incorrect. GOOD LUCK!! Keep us posted on how it goes.
On 4/21/10, Sharon wrote: > On 4/21/10, Sharon Crowley wrote: I am taking my test on Saturday, > and hoping I will get it right, but it is alot of material to know > at one time. If anyone has any helpful hints, I would greatly > appreciate any advise you can give. Thanks1 >> On 12/07/09, J wrote: >>> On 8/17/09, Kaarem wrote: >>>> Hi teachers! I didn't pass the place test again, as you >>>> know is hard to know what are the right answers>>> really looking for a study partner(s) so we could share the >>>> info, study guides and experiences maybe we could figure >>>> out a common idea for some questions, please if you or >>>> anybody that is going to do it, want to meet once in a >>>> while i will really appreciate! if any of ECE Teachers in >>>> denver area would have sometime to tutor for some questions >>>> i will do that to, let me know if someone can help me a >>>> little bit with this.. thank you so much.. >>>> >>> >>> Hello Kaarem >>> >>> I see that your post is back in August, but I'm wondering if >>> you are still studying for the Place test or if you've passed? >>> If you are still studying for the exam I'd like to study/share >>> material with you. So far I've taken the Place once and did >>> not pass. If you have completed the test I would still like to >>> speak with you, perhaps you can give me a few pointers on what >>> helped you get through it. >>> >>> Thanks
I am wondering if there is anyone out there who is, or has, pursued the Alternative license in Colorado. I have passed my Praxis II and have my SOE, but have yet to get hired as an Elementary teacher. Has anyone had luck with this and, if so, did it take long and how did you get hired? Last year I was a tutor 4 days per week at a school, but I am most likely going to just substitute teach this year in order to make contact with more principals. I am probably going to go through Colorado Christian to get my certification once I finally get hired. Anyone have any suggestions or thoughts?
Therefore, schools will go for the traditonal route teachers in that grade level.
That's just the reality of it.
On 8/20/09, Lauren wrote: > Hi all, > > I am wondering if there is anyone out there who is, or has, > pursued the Alternative license in Colorado. I have passed > my Praxis II and have my SOE, but have yet to get hired as > an Elementary teacher. Has anyone had luck with this and, > if so, did it take long and how did you get hired? Last > year I was a tutor 4 days per week at a school, but I am > most likely going to just substitute teach this year in > order to make contact with more principals. I am probably > going to go through Colorado Christian to get my > certification once I finally get hired. Anyone have any > suggestions or thoughts?
I went through the whole process about three years ago. I was hired only a few months after I got my SOE. I applied to rural districts and was hired by one that is very small and very rural. I actually teach the "big" kids (high school), but my school has had Alternative License Teacher's at every grade level. The small schools are really happy to work with you if you are able to fill a need. During your first year, you go to CDE sponsored classes to get your Initial License. The process from the CDE side was very confusing, but my district was wonderful. I don't know if it is an option for you, but look into small districts if you can.
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