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Illinois Teachers Chatboard

Issues with University of Phoenix Teaching Certification

by jeff roshell

Oct 5, 2011

Has anyone in Illinois attended the University of phoenix to obtain a teaching certification and are having issues with finding a job. I want to be assured that Illinois will accept a teaching degree from University of Phoenix

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sped On 10/05/11, jeff roshell wrote: > Has anyone in Illinois attended the University of phoenix > to obtain a teaching certification and are having issues > with finding a job. I want to be assured that Illinois will > accept a teaching degree from University of Phoenix

These are two very different questions. Second question first...See MoreOn 10/05/11, jeff roshell wrote: > Has anyone in Illinois attended the University of phoenix > to obtain a teaching certification and are having issues > with finding a job. I want to be assured that Illinois will > accept a teaching degree from University of Phoenix

These are two very different questions. Second question first: The Illinois State Board of Ed will accept a U of P teaching degree as an out of state degree (from Arizona, I think). It doesn't matter if you complete student teaching in IL, it's an out of state degree. There may or may not additional coursework required by Illinois once they review your application as an out of state applicant. ISBE isn't going to advise you on this ahead of time. It is not their job to provide you with guidance counseling. It's their job to either refer you to an approved, in-state IL program which they CAN guarantee as being fully accepted, OR to assess your program once it's done and you have a transcript to send.

Now the First Question: Nearly EVERYONE looking for a teaching job is having an issue finding a job. U of Illinois graduates, Northwestern grads, out of state, everyone. There, just aren't many jobs out there. This applies to the old, traditionally "shortage" fields as well. Special Ed, ESL, Math, Science, and so on. There are majors in those fields, with good degrees from top tier schools who can't find a teaching job to save their lives. There are also experienced teachers who have been laid off over the past few years who are also looking. Trust me, they sub in my district, and I talk to them all the time.

Of course, a math or sped teacher has it better than an English, social studies, or elementary ed major because those fields have been very glutted even during the best of times.

Back in 2007, I was a department head hiring for special ed teachers. I got 6 applications for 2 jobs. I interviewed them all, and my first choice had already been hired by someone else before I could offer her the job. Last year, we didn't hire anyone, but I still got about 100 unsolicited applications. A lot more than 6 applicants for 2 jobs, but still possible to maybe, possibly find a job in that environment if you're flexible about where you work.

The same year, 2007, my colleagues in the English department were hiring for a position. They posted the job for one week, and got over 1000 applications. That's a thousand, not a typo. Because this job would involve co-teaching with one of my new special ed teachers, I helped with the interview process. It was a grueling, three interview process, and still only 20 of the 1000 were selected for the first round. The person hired was already a two-sport coach for the district, and the son of a recently retired teacher who was well liked in the district. When you have a thousand apps to go through, well, someone's going to have an "in."

That was 2007, when times were still good. Now, I can't imagine how many applicants there are for an English, Social Studies, or Elem ed position. 10,000 would not surprise me.

So, it ranges from very, very hard, to literally impossible to get a job in teaching with ANY degree from ANY school. Now, that's before we've even touched the fact that you are getting essentially an out-of-state, on-line degree from a school that has been called a "degree-mill." Whether or not it is a "degree-mill" in another issue. U of I grads aren't getting hired, so Phoenix isn't looking to good next to that stack of higher-tier college transcripts.

Still want to go down that route? Hey, all of these teaching schools are advertising right now in the Chicago area. It's not because their programs are in high demand. It's because they can't get people to drink the kool-aid and dish out big money to be unemployable. If you do want to major in teaching (and likely work at TGI Fridays for the next decade), and you're going to dish out the big money U of Phoenix demands, then consider going to a better school. You chances of getting hired would go from impossible to next-to-impossible.

Oct 5, 2011

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What is the largest number of IEP students that can be in

by one reg. ed classroom?

Oct 30, 2011

I always thought that no more than 1/3 of your class could be IEP students. Does anyone know the law on this? Thanks!

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sped On 10/30/11, one reg. ed classroom? wrote: > I always thought that no more than 1/3 of your class could > be IEP students. Does anyone know the law on this? Thanks!

Typically 30% of your students can't be IEP'ed to receive services in that class. That doesn't mean any student with an IEP, but he/she is actually receiving IEP mandated...See More

Nov 1, 2011

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Sped Teacher If your class is to be considered a Regular Education placement, then over 30% cannot be special ed (receiving services in your classroom). So the higher the class sizes the more sped kids you can accommodate right?? ha ha--

On 11/01/11, sped wrote: > On 10/30/11, one reg. ed classroom? wrote: >> I always thought that no more than...See More

Apr 23, 2012

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Looking for part-time tutoring position in Joliet, IL

by Anetrise Jones

Oct 31, 2011

Hello,

We are a tutoring service seeking teachers today October 31 and Nov. 1 to tutor students K-12 in Joliet, IL school district. It is a 10-12 week, 1.5 hrs, mon-thurs afterschool position. If interested please email us @ [email removed]

Thank you, Growing Scholars Educational Center

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Endorsements

by Mary Rose

Nov 8, 2011

I just completed a second Masters in Curriculum and Instruction emphasis on England languuage Arts endorsement I received a deficiency letter for the endorsement saying I needed more English classes. I think we are being used to generate more attendance in colleges that are receiving a backlash due to low attendance rates. ISBE is not friendly and ...See More

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Michael What would your Union have to do with ISBE's endorsement requirements? Did you read the endorsement requirements before applying? Before taking this degree program? Get your future courses pre-approved by sending in course descriptions. ISBE doesn't hide the course requirements. They are posted right there on the website. If you disagree with ISBE'...See More

Nov 8, 2011

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tyler Maybe the ISBE has spies scrounging the interwebs to catch you with bad grammar and spelling in order to not give you the endorsement.

What's England languuage Arts? This is not something I'm familiar with, and would be interested to know if England has different languuage Arts than we have here in the states.

What's a collegue?...See More

Nov 9, 2011

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Obtaining special ED cert

by MaryKay

Nov 12, 2011

I have a type 9 teaching certificate (secondary) for the State of Illinois.

What would be involved in getting a special ed endorsement/cert?

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Kathy Check with your Regional Office of Education. They are very helpful (at least ours is). Kathy

On 11/12/11, MaryKay wrote: > I have a type 9 teaching certificate (secondary) for the > State of Illinois. > > What would be involved in getting a special ed > endorsement/cert?

Nov 18, 2011

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Bill W Four classes

Apr 10, 2012

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Paraprofessional requirements

by Steve g.

Nov 15, 2011

I'm just curious. If I have a type 09 certification, do I need any other types certifications to become a teacher assistant? Or a NCLB paraprofessional letter of approval? Thank you!

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Ray Lenz On 11/15/11, Steve g. wrote: > I'm just curious. If I have a type 09 certification, do I > need any other types certifications to become a teacher > assistant? Or a NCLB paraprofessional letter of approval? > Thank you!

Hi Steve. I have been a paraprofessional here in IL for several years. I'm not sure what a Type 09 certificat...See More

Jan 3, 2012

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Common Core tier 2 Vocab words

by Where can I find a list of the vocab words?

Nov 19, 2011

Looking for 4th grade Tier 2 words. Thanks!!!

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Teaching Students who Don't Speak English

by Stacey

Nov 20, 2011

The teachers in our region seem highly unprepared for immigrant students that are moving into the area. I'm wondering how other teachers are handling the challenges. How prepared do you feel to teach students who don't speak English? What is your school doing, or what should they be doing to get us ready?

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Chase If you have more than 20 ell students I think you are required to have an ell program

But definitely visuals, graphic organizers etc. We also have Rosetta stone in the gen Ed classrooms that the kids go on daily, but that is more social English, not academic at all

So if yelling does not work, do you accent the scream with > ...See More

Dec 6, 2011

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Kathy I teach students with severe disabilities. I have one student who speaks and understands Spanish and finally got a sort of bilingual para. We also keep a Spanish/English dictionary on hand so we can understand some of what she says and so we can speak simple phrases to her. I also have a Bulgarian student with severe autism. Her parents speak Engli...See MoreI teach students with severe disabilities. I have one student who speaks and understands Spanish and finally got a sort of bilingual para. We also keep a Spanish/English dictionary on hand so we can understand some of what she says and so we can speak simple phrases to her. I also have a Bulgarian student with severe autism. Her parents speak English to her, but her grandparents are her caregivers so all she hears is Bulgarian at home. We use a lot of picture symbols with her and are using picture cards and a card reader for her to learn English words. We are doing the same for our Hispanic student. They both love it. Kathy

On 12/06/11, Chase wrote: > If you have more than 20 ell students I think you are required to > have an ell program > > But definitely visuals, graphic organizers etc. We also have Rosetta > stone in the gen Ed classrooms that the kids go on daily, but that > is more social English, not academic at all > > > So if yelling does not work, do you accent the scream with >> pronunciations in the students' native language? Can yelling work >> with other skills, such as algebra? Really, I have a tough time >> with math so maybe the problem has been volume. >> >> Seriously, a teacher can communicate with visuals and gestures. >> Yelling doesnt work even when communicating with any kids, even >> native English speakers (except with your own teen after politely >> asking him to take out the garbage five times!) >> >> On 12/03/11, No, I said PAGE 25!!!!!! wrote: >>> My district has suggested that we speak English, but just say >>> it louder at them when they don't understand. Then, if they >>> don't get it, just really YELL it at them. >>> >>> Seriously, you should have an ELL program..., if you don't, >>> you're not really going to be able to serve them. With cuts, >>> and more cuts, this will be another group that gets left behind. >>> >>> On 11/20/11, Stacey wrote: >>>> The teachers in our region seem highly unprepared for >>>> immigrant students that are moving into the area. I'm >>>> wondering how other teachers are handling the challenges. >>>> How prepared do you feel to teach students who don't speak >>>> English? What is your school doing, or what should they be >>>> doing to get us ready?

Dec 28, 2011

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