thinking about getting cross-cert in sped

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Connecticut Teachers Chatboard

thinking about getting cross-cert in sped

by CTteacher

Aug 26, 2009

I am thinking about getting a cross cert in sp.ed., as I am really tired of trying to find a job in my area of language arts. This summer I have sent out over 20 applications, all over the state, and got one interview. (I found that one district actually throws out all applications after a position is filled. After applying for one job that was filled, only to find another similar position open up in the same dist., I was told I would have to fill out their lengthy application and send everything in from scratch.) I am really tired of subbing, having done it all last year, not to mention the year I did it when I was finishing up my certification coursework. I did land teaching jobs in the private sector, for 2 and a half years, but always planned to go into public. Now I cannot find a job in public or private! I am not just out of college and this is my second career.

I have been told that sp.ed. is an area where teachers are actually needed. I just looked up some info online...See MoreI am thinking about getting a cross cert in sp.ed., as I am really tired of trying to find a job in my area of language arts. This summer I have sent out over 20 applications, all over the state, and got one interview. (I found that one district actually throws out all applications after a position is filled. After applying for one job that was filled, only to find another similar position open up in the same dist., I was told I would have to fill out their lengthy application and send everything in from scratch.) I am really tired of subbing, having done it all last year, not to mention the year I did it when I was finishing up my certification coursework. I did land teaching jobs in the private sector, for 2 and a half years, but always planned to go into public. Now I cannot find a job in public or private! I am not just out of college and this is my second career.

I have been told that sp.ed. is an area where teachers are actually needed. I just looked up some info online and found that an ARC program exists, but to the tune of approx. $4500! I am not wealthy and cannot afford to pay out of pocket, as I am still paying off student loans from the Master's/certification program I entered when I decided to teach. I have worked with special ed. students and found it rewarding. I am just wondering if anyone knows of any funding options, private or public grants, etc., that would help me pay for this.

I am not ready to give up yet, but so frustrated at this whole teaching situation. If I had known how expensive it would be to get my credentials and how difficult it would be to land a job, I probably would have opted to go into a different field. Of course the state is no help, with its system of putting us all into little boxes, from which we cannot get out of w/o shelling out thousands of dollars for "professional development." (I have talked to older teachers who have been in the system for 20+ years, who basically just went into sp.ed. b/c their admin asked them to, and have no special credentials. My, how things have changed.)

Thanks for any input anyone can give me. Pretty soon, I will be looking to go into another field, I suppose, as I just cannot take this much longer.

Cheers! CTteacher

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Anonymous When did you graduate ARC? I am hearing that except for this year's group, most of the math people actually got jobs in the end (though often in the inner cities, but that's true about a lot of alternate route programs....it's all supply vs. demand).

I am not sure you can enter ARC if you've already done a certification program. Most other...See MoreWhen did you graduate ARC? I am hearing that except for this year's group, most of the math people actually got jobs in the end (though often in the inner cities, but that's true about a lot of alternate route programs....it's all supply vs. demand).

I am not sure you can enter ARC if you've already done a certification program. Most other states' similar programs (i.e. NYC Teaching Fellows) will not let you in. I think unlike most of these programs ARC will, I know there were a lot of private school teachers and L/T subs in my class, though the people who were truly "career changing" resented those people thinking they will keep them from getting a job (one reason most programs do not allow this).

Also, I'm not sure ARC has a Special Ed program per se.

Finally, I would be careful about going for college teaching. Nowadays, a lot of colleges are looking to cut costs by hiring a lot of P/T faculty and either not hiring F/T faculty or not offering tenure ever to any new F/T faculty. My sister became a professor in the late 90's and was tenured a few years ago and was told if she was entering this job today she wouldn't have anywhere near the security l/t professors enjoy. Good luck!

On 8/26/09, Math Teach wrote: > I hear you. Oh do I hear you! I was a math major, and thought > it would be easier to get a job. Seems that everyone is > choosing math, as it is a shortage area (in the inner cities, > that is). I'm getting my M.S. in applied math, and am > starting to look into teaching at junior colleges when I'm > done. I worked last year as a .6FTE, and it looks like I'll > be subbing this year. > > I too am a graduate of ARC, and basically found it to be a > waste of time. Most of the $4000 went to pay for the guest > faculty, with many giving enlightening lectures such > as "Teaching in the inner cities is different than teaching > in the suburbs' > Yeah, no sh*t, Sherlock! > > Why not get a graduate degree and think about teaching in a > college? You would have to get one anyway (I already have an > M.S. but it's not in math) :( > > On 8/26/09, CTteacher wrote: >> I am thinking about getting a cross cert in sp.ed., as I am >> really tired of trying to find a job in my area of language >> arts. This summer I have sent out over 20 applications, all >> over the state, and got one interview. (I found that one >> district actually throws out all applications after a >> position is filled. After applying for one job that was >> filled, only to find another similar position open up in the >> same dist., I was told I would have to fill out their >> lengthy application and send everything in from scratch.) I >> am really tired of subbing, having done it all last year, >> not to mention the year I did it when I was finishing up my >> certification coursework. I did land teaching jobs in the >> private sector, for 2 and a half years, but always planned >> to go into public. Now I cannot find a job in public or >> private! I am not just out of college and this is my second >> career. >> >> I have been told that sp.ed. is an area where teachers are >> actually needed. I just looked up some info online and found >> that an ARC program exists, but to the tune of approx. >> $4500! I am not wealthy and cannot afford to pay out of >> pocket, as I am still paying off student loans from the >> Master's/certification program I entered when I decided to >> teach. I have worked with special ed. students and found it >> rewarding. I am just wondering if anyone knows of any >> funding options, private or public grants, etc., that would >> help me pay for this. >> >> I am not ready to give up yet, but so frustrated at this >> whole teaching situation. If I had known how expensive it >> would be to get my credentials and how difficult it would be >> to land a job, I probably would have opted to go into a >> different field. Of course the state is no help, with its >> system of putting us all into little boxes, from which we >> cannot get out of w/o shelling out thousands of dollars for >> "professional development." (I have talked to older teachers >> who have been in the system for 20+ years, who basically >> just went into sp.ed. b/c their admin asked them to, and >> have no special credentials. My, how things have changed.) >> >> Thanks for any input anyone can give me. Pretty soon, I will >> be looking to go into another field, I suppose, as I just >> cannot take this much longer. >> >> Cheers! >> CTteacher

Aug 30, 2009

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Math Teach I completed a teacher certification program while an undergraduate. I originally was a math-ed major, but could not do student teaching as I became Naval Aviation cadet. (I was "npq'd but did make it to the airlines, albeit briefly :)) , so I had to switch majors to plain math. And I agree with you NY does not allow one to get in if they have over ...See MoreI completed a teacher certification program while an undergraduate. I originally was a math-ed major, but could not do student teaching as I became Naval Aviation cadet. (I was "npq'd but did make it to the airlines, albeit briefly :)) , so I had to switch majors to plain math. And I agree with you NY does not allow one to get in if they have over 18 credits in ed courses (I had 19- and I am from Manhattan!).

I did get a job last year, but not this year (yet). The school that I subbed for in N. Central CT didn't even interview me! And as far as the inner cities, I can only conclude that the suburbs are more selective (as they can, and should be). With all due respects to ARC, I spent many hours writing reports in Ed Psych, Child Growth/Development classes, etc. That 5 papge philosophy paper that ARC requires in the beginning is a joke compared to what we went through. In addition, most colleges require you to have mojored in the sunbject you want to teach, unlike ARC which requires 30 credits "in a closely related field" and that whopping total of three credits in calc). It was 48 credits for me in math. The M.S. that I just started at L.I.U. requires a three course sequence in Calc, in addition to diffy-Q's to get in.

I'm still going ahead with my plans to teach college math. My sister and bro-in-law are both professors, and have never been laid- off (although my sister is a part time stats professor now). Good luck

On 8/30/09, Anonymous wrote: > When did you graduate ARC? I am hearing that except for this > year's group, most of the math people actually got jobs in the > end (though often in the inner cities, but that's true about a > lot of alternate route programs....it's all supply vs. demand). > > I am not sure you can enter ARC if you've already done a > certification program. Most other states' similar programs (i.e. > NYC Teaching Fellows) will not let you in. I think unlike most > of these programs ARC will, I know there were a lot of private > school teachers and L/T subs in my class, though the people who > were truly "career changing" resented those people thinking they > will keep them from getting a job (one reason most programs do > not allow this). > > Also, I'm not sure ARC has a Special Ed program per se. > > Finally, I would be careful about going for college teaching. > Nowadays, a lot of colleges are looking to cut costs by hiring a > lot of P/T faculty and either not hiring F/T faculty or not > offering tenure ever to any new F/T faculty. My sister became a > professor in the late 90's and was tenured a few years ago and > was told if she was entering this job today she wouldn't have > anywhere near the security l/t professors enjoy. Good luck! > > > > On 8/26/09, Math Teach wrote: >> I hear you. Oh do I hear you! I was a math major, and thought >> it would be easier to get a job. Seems that everyone is >> choosing math, as it is a shortage area (in the inner cities, >> that is). I'm getting my M.S. in applied math, and am >> starting to look into teaching at junior colleges when I'm >> done. I worked last year as a .6FTE, and it looks like I'll >> be subbing this year. >> >> I too am a graduate of ARC, and basically found it to be a >> waste of time. Most of the $4000 went to pay for the guest >> faculty, with many giving enlightening lectures such >> as "Teaching in the inner cities is different than teaching >> in the suburbs' >> Yeah, no sh*t, Sherlock! >> >> Why not get a graduate degree and think about teaching in a >> college? You would have to get one anyway (I already have an >> M.S. but it's not in math) :( >> >> On 8/26/09, CTteacher wrote: >>> I am thinking about getting a cross cert in sp.ed., as I am >>> really tired of trying to find a job in my area of language >>> arts. This summer I have sent out over 20 applications, all >>> over the state, and got one interview. (I found that one >>> district actually throws out all applications after a >>> position is filled. After applying for one job that was >>> filled, only to find another similar position open up in the >>> same dist., I was told I would have to fill out their >>> lengthy application and send everything in from scratch.) I >>> am really tired of subbing, having done it all last year, >>> not to mention the year I did it when I was finishing up my >>> certification coursework. I did land teaching jobs in the >>> private sector, for 2 and a half years, but always planned >>> to go into public. Now I cannot find a job in public or >>> private! I am not just out of college and this is my second >>> career. >>> >>> I have been told that sp.ed. is an area where teachers are >>> actually needed. I just looked up some info online and found >>> that an ARC program exists, but to the tune of approx. >>> $4500! I am not wealthy and cannot afford to pay out of >>> pocket, as I am still paying off student loans from the >>> Master's/certification program I entered when I decided to >>> teach. I have worked with special ed. students and found it >>> rewarding. I am just wondering if anyone knows of any >>> funding options, private or public grants, etc., that would >>> help me pay for this. >>> >>> I am not ready to give up yet, but so frustrated at this >>> whole teaching situation. If I had known how expensive it >>> would be to get my credentials and how difficult it would be >>> to land a job, I probably would have opted to go into a >>> different field. Of course the state is no help, with its >>> system of putting us all into little boxes, from which we >>> cannot get out of w/o shelling out thousands of dollars for >>> "professional development." (I have talked to older teachers >>> who have been in the system for 20+ years, who basically >>> just went into sp.ed. b/c their admin asked them to, and >>> have no special credentials. My, how things have changed.) >>> >>> Thanks for any input anyone can give me. Pretty soon, I will >>> be looking to go into another field, I suppose, as I just >>> cannot take this much longer. >>> >>> Cheers! >>> CTteacher

Aug 31, 2009

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from OP -- still looking for grant options/ reply to "anon" acctually, i know people who have gotten jobs from ARC in special ed. the reason I posted here was b/c I know the program exists in CT, and yes you can get a cross endorsement in sped if you are already certified in CT. I can't speak for other states but I have researched the program in CT. I was wondering if anyone knew of GRANT money or SCHOLARSH...See Moreacctually, i know people who have gotten jobs from ARC in special ed. the reason I posted here was b/c I know the program exists in CT, and yes you can get a cross endorsement in sped if you are already certified in CT. I can't speak for other states but I have researched the program in CT. I was wondering if anyone knew of GRANT money or SCHOLARSHIPS for teachers wishing to get licensed to teach sped, a big shortage area in CT.

as for career changers resenting teachers already cert. in the program, too bad! I doubt also that other states wont let in profeessional teachers b/c of this.... CT at least is trying to get qualified teachers to fill its shortage areas, which is why they hav started the cross cert program for teachers. It is hard enough for experienced, credentialed teachers to get positions in the state, so those career changers are going to go to the back of the line, regardless. Unless of course they want to teach in one of the gang-ridden high schools deep in Bridgport or Hartford.

still wondering if anyone has any info on getting private money -- not loans necessarily, as I already have enough of those.

looks like th CT board is pretty sloooowwww in general, as not much activity on the board since my last post.

On 8/30/09, Anonymous wrote: > When did you graduate ARC? I am hearing that except for this > year's group, most of the math people actually got jobs in the > end (though often in the inner cities, but that's true about a > lot of alternate route programs....it's all supply vs. demand).

> I am not sure you can enter ARC if you've already done a > certification program. Most other states' similar programs (i.e. > NYC Teaching Fellows) will not let you in. I think unlike most > of these programs ARC will, I know there were a lot of private > school teachers and L/T subs in my class, though the people who > were truly "career changing" resented those people thinking they > will keep them from getting a job (one reason most programs do > not allow this). > > Also, I'm not sure ARC has a Special Ed program per se.

Oct 8, 2009

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H I think you misunderstood "anon". I don't believe he/she was talking about competition for jobs, but simply for the "alternate route" training program itself in regards to "traditional route" teachers. NYC Teaching Fellows will not allow an already credentialed teacher (be it from NY or another state) to be in that program because it is a program s...See MoreI think you misunderstood "anon". I don't believe he/she was talking about competition for jobs, but simply for the "alternate route" training program itself in regards to "traditional route" teachers. NYC Teaching Fellows will not allow an already credentialed teacher (be it from NY or another state) to be in that program because it is a program specifically for "career changers". It certainly doesn't mean a "traditional route" person from another state can't teach in NYC, they simply have a completely different application path for someone already credentialed (since they wouldn't need to take all the 'training courses', etc. that NYC Teaching Fellows involves).

In most states, this is true of their "alternate route" programs as well (can't be taken by already credentialed teachers). It doesn't mean that an already credentialed teacher from another state is at a disadvantage, in fact, it's usually the other way around; they just can't use the "alternate route" as a way to change to that state's credential. I think he/she was talking about, that is resentment about an "alternate route" training program letting in teachers already licensed elsewhere, not resentment about competing with them for jobs, most "alternate route" programs only deal with shortage areas anyway since that's what they're usually designed for.

On 10/08/09, from OP -- still looking for grant options/ reply to "anon" wrote: > acctually, i know people who have gotten jobs from ARC in special ed. > the reason I posted here was b/c I know the program exists in CT, and > yes you can get a cross endorsement in sped if you are already > certified in CT. I can't speak for other states but I have researched > the program in CT. I was wondering if anyone knew of GRANT money or > SCHOLARSHIPS for teachers wishing to get licensed to teach sped, a > big shortage area in CT. > > as for career changers resenting teachers already cert. in the > program, too bad! I doubt also that other states wont let in > profeessional teachers b/c of this.... CT at least is trying to get > qualified teachers to fill its shortage areas, which is why they hav > started the cross cert program for teachers. It is hard enough for > experienced, credentialed teachers to get positions in the state, so > those career changers are going to go to the back of the line, > regardless. Unless of course they want to teach in one of the > gang-ridden high schools deep in Bridgport or Hartford. > > still wondering if anyone has any info on getting private money -- > not loans necessarily, as I already have enough of those. > > looks like th CT board is pretty sloooowwww in general, as not much > activity on the board since my last post. > > > On 8/30/09, Anonymous wrote: >> When did you graduate ARC? I am hearing that except for this >> year's group, most of the math people actually got jobs in the >> end (though often in the inner cities, but that's true about a >> lot of alternate route programs....it's all supply vs. demand). > > >> I am not sure you can enter ARC if you've already done a >> certification program. Most other states' similar programs (i.e. >> NYC Teaching Fellows) will not let you in. I think unlike most >> of these programs ARC will, I know there were a lot of private >> school teachers and L/T subs in my class, though the people who >> were truly "career changing" resented those people thinking they >> will keep them from getting a job (one reason most programs do >> not allow this). >> >> Also, I'm not sure ARC has a Special Ed program per se.

Oct 12, 2009

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OP Thank you for speaking for "anon." Again, you are simply wrong, just like anon, in assuming CT's program doesn't take already credentialed teachers. I ahve already checked into this!!!! You missed my question/point entirely, as did anon, and wasted your time emailing back the exact thing anon said! I won't bother arguring these points -- if you are...See MoreThank you for speaking for "anon." Again, you are simply wrong, just like anon, in assuming CT's program doesn't take already credentialed teachers. I ahve already checked into this!!!! You missed my question/point entirely, as did anon, and wasted your time emailing back the exact thing anon said! I won't bother arguring these points -- if you are not anon, why try to speak for him?

and as for this statement: that is resentment about an "alternate > route" training program letting in teachers already licensed elsewhere, > not resentment about competing with them for jobs,

I do remember anon mentioning the resentment about competition fo jobs. Why else would their be "resentment" if not for the end result?

On 10/12/09, H wrote: > I think you misunderstood "anon". I don't believe he/she was talking > about competition for jobs, but simply for the "alternate route" > training program itself in regards to "traditional route" teachers. NYC > Teaching Fellows will not allow an already credentialed teacher (be it > from NY or another state) to be in that program because it is a program > specifically for "career changers". It certainly doesn't mean a > "traditional route" person from another state can't teach in NYC, they > simply have a completely different application path for someone already > credentialed (since they wouldn't need to take all the 'training > courses', etc. that NYC Teaching Fellows involves). > > In most states, this is true of their "alternate route" programs as well > (can't be taken by already credentialed teachers). It doesn't mean that > an already credentialed teacher from another state is at a disadvantage, > in fact, it's usually the other way around; they just can't use the > "alternate route" as a way to change to that state's credential. I > think he/she was talking about, that is resentment about an "alternate > route" training program letting in teachers already licensed elsewhere, > not resentment about competing with them for jobs, most "alternate > route" programs only deal with shortage areas anyway since that's what > they're usually designed for. > > On 10/08/09, from OP -- still looking for grant options/ reply to "anon" > wrote: >> acctually, i know people who have gotten jobs from ARC in special ed. >> the reason I posted here was b/c I know the program exists in CT, and >> yes you can get a cross endorsement in sped if you are already >> certified in CT. I can't speak for other states but I have researched >> the program in CT. I was wondering if anyone knew of GRANT money or >> SCHOLARSHIPS for teachers wishing to get licensed to teach sped, a >> big shortage area in CT. >> >> as for career changers resenting teachers already cert. in the >> program, too bad! I doubt also that other states wont let in >> profeessional teachers b/c of this.... CT at least is trying to get >> qualified teachers to fill its shortage areas, which is why they hav >> started the cross cert program for teachers. It is hard enough for >> experienced, credentialed teachers to get positions in the state, so >> those career changers are going to go to the back of the line, >> regardless. Unless of course they want to teach in one of the >> gang-ridden high schools deep in Bridgport or Hartford. >> >> still wondering if anyone has any info on getting private money -- >> not loans necessarily, as I already have enough of those. >> >> looks like th CT board is pretty sloooowwww in general, as not much >> activity on the board since my last post. >> >> >> On 8/30/09, Anonymous wrote: >>> When did you graduate ARC? I am hearing that except for this >>> year's group, most of the math people actually got jobs in the >>> end (though often in the inner cities, but that's true about a >>> lot of alternate route programs....it's all supply vs. demand). >> >> >>> I am not sure you can enter ARC if you've already done a >>> certification program. Most other states' similar programs (i.e. >>> NYC Teaching Fellows) will not let you in. I think unlike most >>> of these programs ARC will, I know there were a lot of private >>> school teachers and L/T subs in my class, though the people who >>> were truly "career changing" resented those people thinking they >>> will keep them from getting a job (one reason most programs do >>> not allow this). >>> >>> Also, I'm not sure ARC has a Special Ed program per se.

Dec 14, 2009

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