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Illinois Teachers Chatboard

Chicago jobs

by Lisa H

Aug 10, 2011

Hi folks! I am dual certified in special education and elementary education and have just submitted an application for several teaching positions with Chicago public schools. I do not currently live in that area, but did a few years ago and am anxious to relocate there. If anyone knows about the market there and has some tips, I would appreciate it...See More

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Lisa H. What do you mean by "market?" Job market? Housing Market?

I was thinking mostly of the job market for teachers. Yes, you're probably right that schools on the North side are in greater demand for exactly the reasons you stated. I'll have to look at some of the other areas again and see if there would be a good fit somewhere else. Pretty m...See More

Aug 10, 2011

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sped On 8/10/11, Lisa H. wrote: > > Pretty much every school system has > challenges with bureacracy as well as challenging kids. (I just > came off of teaching 3 years of special ed in a Title I school in > a medium-sized, very cliquish school district.)

You're correct that every public school has both bureaucracy (we're govern...See More

Aug 10, 2011

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Math Endorsement

by Katie B.

Aug 16, 2011

I'm short one math class for my math endorsement for middle school. ISBE listed geometry as one of the areas I could complete and I found a geometry course at a nearby community college. I'm hoping this will work, anybody every turn in community college credits before? I left a message with ISBE, but thought this might be faster!

Thanks, ...See More

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Michael So you applied for the endorsement already and received a deficiency statement? If so you can send in a course description and get the course pre-approved.

As long as the credits come from a regionally accredited university you're fine.

On 8/16/11, Katie B. wrote: > I'm short one math class for my math endorsement for middle ...See More

Aug 16, 2011

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sped On 8/16/11, Michael wrote: > So you applied for the endorsement already and received a > deficiency statement? If so you can send in a course > description and get the course pre-approved. > > As long as the credits come from a regionally accredited > university you're fine.

In addition to this, you need to make sure it ...See More

Aug 16, 2011

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ESL Endorsement Questions

by Robyn Shulman

Aug 21, 2011

Hi everyone,

If you have questions about the ESL/Bilingual endorsement, I will be happy to help you. I was the Lead ESL/Bilingual Academic Advisor at NLU for the past 5 1/2 years. I now provide online professional development for CPDU credits.

Feel free to ask me any questions, for free :)

Best, Robyn

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sped Do you mean outside of education? Maybe...

Typically, HR directors have little to nothing to do with hiring teachers. What typically matters is your certification, not where your degree came from.

Education is known for having a lot of fluff master's degrees, since it usually results in a pay increase. Curriculum and Instruction ...See More

Feb 23, 2012

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Amy Thanks for all the feedback. Sped, I especially enjoyed your posts. I am hoping that if I choose not to get the endoresment then I would be able to move to a higher grade level, which would be fine with me. My frustration lies in the fact that I have a sped endorsement, and that I think if it is important for me to get my ESL endorsement, it is JUS...See More

Apr 23, 2012

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hi. Great teacher product i found

by ftm725

Aug 27, 2011

hi. My friend opened this website. He is volunteering at a shelter for the hurricane , so i'm promoting it. Its [link removed]!

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teaching an extra class into my prep minutes

by Carolyn

Aug 28, 2011

I teach at a public school, and currently have been assigned to teach an extra class. This now is part of my prep minutes. Do I file a grievance, or do I just do it and hope for the best? Looking for advice for anyone who has filed a grievance...

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Betty Ann In my district this extra class would generally be given to a teacher who volunteered to do it--and it would result in extra pay.

Do you have a duty that has been dropped in exchange for the extra teaching?

If you are teaching more than the contract states, start by talking with your union rep.

On 8/28/11, Carolyn wrote: ...See More

Aug 28, 2011

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sped On 8/28/11, Carolyn wrote: > I teach at a public school, and currently have been > assigned to teach an extra class. This now is part of my > prep minutes. Do I file a grievance, or do I just do it and > hope for the best? Looking for advice for anyone who has > filed a grievance...

Talk to your union rep. Typcially, you sho...See More

Aug 29, 2011

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How did you land your first teaching job?

by Steve

Aug 31, 2011

I'm looking for advice and miracles? I know the market is horrible, but I've been looking for two years now. I'm endorsed in High School Business Ed. and Special Ed. I even considered TA positions but never get called for an interview. I'm working in the corporate world as a temp. I'd sub but it's not consistent enough. Tell me your stories!

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Hollywood On 9/25/11, sped wrote: > On 9/22/11, Kathy wrote:

>> Look into private >> schools for students with disabilities. They have a lot more >> freedom to teach using common sense methods. They also have >> more access to funds to get materials. > > Some schools have more access to funds and use common sense &g...See MoreOn 9/25/11, sped wrote: > On 9/22/11, Kathy wrote:

>> Look into private >> schools for students with disabilities. They have a lot more >> freedom to teach using common sense methods. They also have >> more access to funds to get materials. > > Some schools have more access to funds and use common sense > methods, and some don't. It just depends on the situation of the > private school.

My first teaching job was in a private out-of-district placement school (not in Illinois). While it wasn't as bad as the school sped described, it was weird. It was mostly for students who were high-functioning LD and/or ED...we had some Aspergers, kids with school anxiety, smart kids with severe behavior issues, etc. The student-teacher ratio was 2-1 and we had several psychologists and social workers. Each kid had group and individual therapy every week. My largest class had 7 kids, with two teachers in each room. We had a lot of time to work closely with the kids, and could differentiate as much as we wanted. The principal and the faculty were great. We all met twice a week to discuss the kids and compare notes on effective practices. That was the good. The bad was that the director was an odd duck. She did the bare minimum for the school...we had no library, very little equipment or supplies, dial-up internet (in 2005!). She would not allow the principal to have a secretary or any kind of assistant, and would not allow her assistant to do anything to help him. She discouraged any kind of activities or cooperative learning; she wanted kids to sit in rows and work quietly in workbooks. She also forbid us to assign any homework, even to just bring in something from home. Students were not allowed to read in class; we had to read everything out loud to them, regardless of their actual reading ability. Fortunately, she was not in the building very often; she spent most of her time on other business interests. But when she did come in, she would make all kinds of changes and punish random students for the slightest thing. Despite her, I really enjoyed the job. But near the end of the year, she started firing people for no reason. So I began quietly sending out resumes to districts and got a job offer over the summer. I found out later that she fired the principal--who had been at the school for 9 years--by sending a Fed Ex letter to his house on Christmas Eve.

Sep 25, 2011

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tyler I agree with thinking outside the box/being creative. My first job was part-time. I earned an undergraduate degree in Spanish and was working as a software translator. One day while browsing the classified ads for a new guitar, I found an advertisement looking for a part-time Spanish teacher. I interviewed and got the job (not surprising considerin...See More

Sep 27, 2011

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Middle School endorsement

by Laura

Sep 3, 2011

Questions about the Middle School endorsement: Can those of us with the 1990s Type 09, grades 6 through 12 teach middle school? I have the junior high language arts endorsement and recently added LBSI, which says grades 6 through 12. However, my new ESL endorsement only states "Secondary." Does anybody know if the requirements for Mid School endors...See More

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Illinois Approved Online Endorsement Classes

by Robyn

Sep 12, 2011

Hello fellow colleagues,

Lesley University now offers endorsement/certifications online programs approved in Illinois.

They are in the process of getting the ESL endorsement approved right now as well (great for the Illinois 2014 early childhood requirement).

In the meantime, these are the Illinois approved programs: ...See More

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Type 09/Secondary degree

by Sandra

Sep 30, 2011

I currently have Type 03 certification (elementary, K-9) with middle school, language arts, social science, and general science endorsements. Does anyone know what it would take for me to get Type 09 certification?

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Sandra sped, thanks for your reply. I imagine it makes most sense to pursue the Type 09 as a Master's rather than a 2nd Bachelor's...

On 9/30/11, sped wrote: > You would have to attend an approved program through an > Illinois university. I'm not sure if you would have to redo > student teaching, but you would have to do the program. Th...See More

Sep 30, 2011

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sped On 9/30/11, Sandra wrote: > sped, thanks for your reply. I imagine it makes most sense to > pursue the Type 09 as a Master's rather than a 2nd Bachelor's...

If you're going to pursue the type-09, yes it does. I suppose there could be some circumstances where this could be sensible. If you are securely employed in a K-12 district now...See More

Oct 1, 2011

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A MESSAGE TO TEACHERS: the TRUTH about your PENSION

by Illinois Is Broke

Oct 5, 2011

Illinois is Broke – $140 BILLION in debt – and if you’re a teacher its bad news for you. It’s basic math. There is not enough money to pay benefits to current retirees, much less you. That money being deducted from your pay check each month is going to pay benefits to current retirees. So who will pay for your retirement?

Your fut...See More

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sped You're right, Illinois is broke. But it's not broke because we're greedy or given over generous pensions. We paid into our retirement fund (a MUCH higher contribution level already than most states with NO social security benefits) every paycheck. Every check we did our part!

The state, when ran by both Republicans and Democrats alike, DI...See MoreYou're right, Illinois is broke. But it's not broke because we're greedy or given over generous pensions. We paid into our retirement fund (a MUCH higher contribution level already than most states with NO social security benefits) every paycheck. Every check we did our part!

The state, when ran by both Republicans and Democrats alike, DIDN'T contribute! They were supposed to, but they just put it off to another day. The projections were out there as early as the 1980s, but nothing.

Now, we're greedy!?! No, we're the sensible ones who contributed, but it was the state that dropped the ball! There may be "reforms," but we need to fight tooth and nail to avoid being screwed. Oh, I'm sure we'll be screwed, but it's just a matter of how much. We need to fight for every penny we're OWED, and it is a DEBT that the state owes us. Don't come to us and expect us to give and give and give. We're the victims here and we need to fight for our rights!

The truth is, our pensions were middle of the road 30-years ago. Most other workers gave up their rights to a decent retirement, and now are destined to live in poverty in their old age with (maybe) social security and their anemic 401Ks. Now a whole generation has gone by, and everyone with Wal-Mart benefits is attacking us because we might get a $35,000 per year pension and decent health insurance.

They're attacking US because we might, possibly remain lower-middle-class when we retire, instead of living hand-to-mouth. What they should be doing is fighting for THEIR own benefits, trying to make their lives better, not trying to take from some of the last workers in the country to have decent retirement benefits and standard of living into old age.

This nation and it's people are really messed up. I don't know if we can fix it...

On 10/05/11, Illinois Is Broke wrote: > Illinois is Broke – $140 BILLION in debt – and if you’re a > teacher its bad news for you. It’s basic math. There is not > enough money to pay benefits to current retirees, much less > you. That money being deducted from your pay check each > month is going to pay benefits to current retirees. So who > will pay for your retirement? > > Your future is at risk. Where will you be when the money > runs out? Sending your children to college? Preparing to > retire? Ask yourself, how can Illinois overcome a > staggering $140 BILLION retirement debt? > > To save the funds, we will need bigger contributions each > year. By 2045, we will need 50 percent of each tax dollar > collected in the state. The numbers don’t add up. > > Watch this video, then take action. Ask your legislators > and Union leaders the RIGHT questions and tell them to > “Reform Pensions Now.” Your future is in your hands. > > Find us on Facebook: > [link removed]

Oct 5, 2011

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Steve The current financial state Illinois is in is truly unfortunate. A mess that we were put in through years of political mismanagement of public funds.

In respect of the Public Pensions, it is sad to see some groups attacking the state employees/teachers being attacked as if they are in some way responsible. There is a book that came out re...See MoreThe current financial state Illinois is in is truly unfortunate. A mess that we were put in through years of political mismanagement of public funds.

In respect of the Public Pensions, it is sad to see some groups attacking the state employees/teachers being attacked as if they are in some way responsible. There is a book that came out recently called 'Retirement Heist' written by a Wall Street Journal investigative reporter about the death of pensions in the private sector and how she is starting to see some of it in the public sector as well.

No one knows exactly what the future will hold for teachers' pensions in Illinois. I think one thing is clear: no matter what your profession is, you can't fully rely on your government or your company (or more accurately your politicians and the corporate executives) to provide you with something as important as your retirement.

It is on us to save for ourselves in addition to whatever plan is provided for us. I have made a few videos that can help teachers get on track to start saving for retirement. This is a video I normally only reserve for people who are on my email list but I live in Illinois and really feel for our teachers...the same ones who gave me a wonderful education.

Here is the link: [link removed]

Hope it helps at least one person out there.

Best,

Steve

On 10/05/11, sped wrote: > You're right, Illinois is broke. But it's not broke because > we're greedy or given over generous pensions. We paid into our > retirement fund (a MUCH higher contribution level already than > most states with NO social security benefits) every paycheck. > Every check we did our part! > > The state, when ran by both Republicans and Democrats alike, > DIDN'T contribute! They were supposed to, but they just put it > off to another day. The projections were out there as early as > the 1980s, but nothing. > > Now, we're greedy!?! No, we're the sensible ones who > contributed, but it was the state that dropped the ball! There > may be "reforms," but we need to fight tooth and nail to avoid > being screwed. Oh, I'm sure we'll be screwed, but it's just a > matter of how much. We need to fight for every penny we're > OWED, and it is a DEBT that the state owes us. Don't come to > us and expect us to give and give and give. We're the victims > here and we need to fight for our rights! > > The truth is, our pensions were middle of the road 30-years > ago. Most other workers gave up their rights to a decent > retirement, and now are destined to live in poverty in their > old age with (maybe) social security and their anemic 401Ks. > Now a whole generation has gone by, and everyone with Wal-Mart > benefits is attacking us because we might get a $35,000 per > year pension and decent health insurance. > > They're attacking US because we might, possibly remain > lower-middle-class when we retire, instead of living > hand-to-mouth. What they should be doing is fighting for THEIR > own benefits, trying to make their lives better, not trying to > take from some of the last workers in the country to have > decent retirement benefits and standard of living into old age. > > This nation and it's people are really messed up. I don't know > if we can fix it... > > On 10/05/11, Illinois Is Broke wrote: >> Illinois is Broke – $140 BILLION in debt – and if you’re a >> teacher its bad news for you. It’s basic math. There is not >> enough money to pay benefits to current retirees, much less >> you. That money being deducted from your pay check each >> month is going to pay benefits to current retirees. So who >> will pay for your retirement? >> >> Your future is at risk. Where will you be when the money >> runs out? Sending your children to college? Preparing to >> retire? Ask yourself, how can Illinois overcome a >> staggering $140 BILLION retirement debt? >> >> To save the funds, we will need bigger contributions each >> year. By 2045, we will need 50 percent of each tax dollar >> collected in the state. The numbers don’t add up. >> >> Watch this video, then take action. Ask your legislators >> and Union leaders the RIGHT questions and tell them to >> “Reform Pensions Now.” Your future is in your hands. >> >> Find us on Facebook: >> [link removed]

Nov 10, 2011

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