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Illinois Teachers Chatboard

School Social Worker

by Mary

Jun 1, 2012

What is the market for school social worker in Illinois? I'm currently an assistant in an elementary school, but I'm considering going back for my masters in either sped (initial cert) or social work. I understand the difficult job market even for sped teachers (I've just been RIF'd as an assistant). It appears that there are quite a few openings f...See More

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Mary Sped, thank you for your reply. After following these boards for several years, I know your responses are always very helpful. Sorry I wasn't real clear when I refered to my age and limited college choices. What I meant was that as for social work, there is only one college in driving distance from me (Aurora U) versus special education where I hav...See MoreSped, thank you for your reply. After following these boards for several years, I know your responses are always very helpful. Sorry I wasn't real clear when I refered to my age and limited college choices. What I meant was that as for social work, there is only one college in driving distance from me (Aurora U) versus special education where I have a few options. I'm out near NIU land which means there are an abundance of teachers here. Although that might be a plus for the social work field, because NIU does not offer that program.

I certainly understand your advice about healthcare and IT. If I was younger (w/no kids) or interested in a career for a bigger paycheck, I'd go that route. I really enjoy kids and being in the school. I have a husband who travels and works long hours so my choices are to simply stay home or find a career which still allows me to be here for my children and all of their activities.

Actually having some idea of the area that you are in, receiving only 12 applications for social worker doesn't seem too bad! I would think that that area would be much more desirable than the more rural area that I am in.

Thanks again for your insights!

Mary

On 6/02/12, sped wrote: > On 6/01/12, Mary wrote: >> I'm >> considering going back for my masters in either sped >> (initial cert) or social work. I understand the difficult >> job market even for sped teachers (I've just been RIF'd as >> an assistant). > > Well, as a special ed administrator I hire these two positions > when there are openings in my district. I haven't been doing > much hiring..., but we did hire a Social Worker this year. > There were about two dozen applications for that one job. > About normal for SW. > > OK..., so first special ed teacher: There are special ed > teachers out of work in Illinois, or they are working for > private, day schools which pay poorly and have bad conditions > (yes, there are people who love this type of job, but there are > many who are stuck there). The special ed field is better > than, say: social studies, English, or elementary ed. In > special ed, we may have dozens of applicants per job. In other > fields, they have hundreds or even THOUSANDS of applicants per > job. However, sped is not the shortage field it was five-years > ago. About the only shortage fields in Illinois teaching would > be Bilingual Spanish. > > Now, nearly all of the social worker applications I looked over > had people working as social workers somewhere. Maybe not in > schools, but somewhere. In contrast, some special ed teacher > applications have people currently unemployed, working as an > aide, or in an unrelated field. This should give you an idea > that Social Work is a better field job-wise. > >> It appears that there are quite a few >> openings for school social workers, however I wonder if >> these are true openings or if these positions are actually >> already filled. > > That happens sometimes. Interns may already be informally > selected for the job. However, I feel comfortable saying that > Social Workers have it better than Special Ed teachers when > looking for a job. > > Also, I should mention that there is definitely some informal, > reverse-Affirmative-Action for males in both of these fields. > You don't mention your gender, but if you're a male it will > give you an edge. There are very few male social workers and > though there are more male sped teachers, they are definitely > in the minority. Being a male doesn't guarantee a job, but it > usually will make you stand out and more likely to get an > interview. > >> The >> real drawback is that being an older student (40), I really >> only have one choice for schooling, and it is rather >> expensive. > > I know of no University/College that refuses people based upon > age. In fact, I believe that is illegal. You can attend > anywhere you can get in to and age plays no factor in > admissions. In fact, you will find that Master's programs are > full of career-changers and older people. > >> I also don't have the option of moving for a >> job. > > Ah, this will make it difficult in either Social Work or > Teaching. The larger geographic area you can cover, the > better. Jobs are few and far between in every field. No one > can guarantee you a job within 30 miles or so of your house. I > know medical doctors who have had to move to get a job, and > their field is in super-high demand. If you live in the > Chicago 'burbs, it will be easier than Downstate, just because > there is a higher population density and more districts to try, > but you should be ready to spend time in traffic. If you feel > you can only take a job with a handful of districts, then you > might not want to waste your time or money on either degree. > > The last thing that I'll say is that Social Work has options > outside of education. A social worker can get a job with the > state, local agency, hospital, or non-profit. Of course, those > groups are facing funding issues too, but at least it is > another options. There aren't really any options for a sped > teacher outside of education. If these are your two options, > go social work. > > However, if I were you I would get a degree in health care or > IT. Much better job prospects...

Jun 2, 2012

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Chris I am an AU grad, 09. While I went for the El.Ed. degree, I do know a few ppl who graduated with social work degrees. AU is an amazing school and you will learn a lot, but be prepared to work as it is not easy. Good luck to you. :)

On 6/02/12, Mary wrote: > Sped, thank you for your reply. After following these boards for > several ye...See MoreI am an AU grad, 09. While I went for the El.Ed. degree, I do know a few ppl who graduated with social work degrees. AU is an amazing school and you will learn a lot, but be prepared to work as it is not easy. Good luck to you. :)

On 6/02/12, Mary wrote: > Sped, thank you for your reply. After following these boards for > several years, I know your responses are always very helpful. > Sorry I wasn't real clear when I refered to my age and limited > college choices. What I meant was that as for social work, there > is only one college in driving distance from me (Aurora U) versus > special education where I have a few options. I'm out near NIU > land which means there are an abundance of teachers here. > Although that might be a plus for the social work field, because > NIU does not offer that program. > > I certainly understand your advice about healthcare and IT. If I > was younger (w/no kids) or interested in a career for a bigger > paycheck, I'd go that route. I really enjoy kids and being in > the school. I have a husband who travels and works long hours so > my choices are to simply stay home or find a career which still > allows me to be here for my children and all of their > activities. > > Actually having some idea of the area that you are in, receiving > only 12 applications for social worker doesn't seem too bad! I > would think that that area would be much more desirable than the > more rural area that I am in. > > Thanks again for your insights! > > Mary > > On 6/02/12, sped wrote: >> On 6/01/12, Mary wrote: >>> I'm >>> considering going back for my masters in either sped >>> (initial cert) or social work. I understand the difficult >>> job market even for sped teachers (I've just been RIF'd as >>> an assistant). >> >> Well, as a special ed administrator I hire these two positions >> when there are openings in my district. I haven't been doing >> much hiring..., but we did hire a Social Worker this year. >> There were about two dozen applications for that one job. >> About normal for SW. >> >> OK..., so first special ed teacher: There are special ed >> teachers out of work in Illinois, or they are working for >> private, day schools which pay poorly and have bad conditions >> (yes, there are people who love this type of job, but there are >> many who are stuck there). The special ed field is better >> than, say: social studies, English, or elementary ed. In >> special ed, we may have dozens of applicants per job. In other >> fields, they have hundreds or even THOUSANDS of applicants per >> job. However, sped is not the shortage field it was five-years >> ago. About the only shortage fields in Illinois teaching would >> be Bilingual Spanish. >> >> Now, nearly all of the social worker applications I looked over >> had people working as social workers somewhere. Maybe not in >> schools, but somewhere. In contrast, some special ed teacher >> applications have people currently unemployed, working as an >> aide, or in an unrelated field. This should give you an idea >> that Social Work is a better field job-wise. >> >>> It appears that there are quite a few >>> openings for school social workers, however I wonder if >>> these are true openings or if these positions are actually >>> already filled. >> >> That happens sometimes. Interns may already be informally >> selected for the job. However, I feel comfortable saying that >> Social Workers have it better than Special Ed teachers when >> looking for a job. >> >> Also, I should mention that there is definitely some informal, >> reverse-Affirmative-Action for males in both of these fields. >> You don't mention your gender, but if you're a male it will >> give you an edge. There are very few male social workers and >> though there are more male sped teachers, they are definitely >> in the minority. Being a male doesn't guarantee a job, but it >> usually will make you stand out and more likely to get an >> interview. >> >>> The >>> real drawback is that being an older student (40), I really >>> only have one choice for schooling, and it is rather >>> expensive. >> >> I know of no University/College that refuses people based upon >> age. In fact, I believe that is illegal. You can attend >> anywhere you can get in to and age plays no factor in >> admissions. In fact, you will find that Master's programs are >> full of career-changers and older people. >> >>> I also don't have the option of moving for a >>> job. >> >> Ah, this will make it difficult in either Social Work or >> Teaching. The larger geographic area you can cover, the >> better. Jobs are few and far between in every field. No one >> can guarantee you a job within 30 miles or so of your house. I >> know medical doctors who have had to move to get a job, and >> their field is in super-high demand. If you live in the >> Chicago 'burbs, it will be easier than Downstate, just because >> there is a higher population density and more districts to try, >> but you should be ready to spend time in traffic. If you feel >> you can only take a job with a handful of districts, then you >> might not want to waste your time or money on either degree. >> >> The last thing that I'll say is that Social Work has options >> outside of education. A social worker can get a job with the >> state, local agency, hospital, or non-profit. Of course, those >> groups are facing funding issues too, but at least it is >> another options. There aren't really any options for a sped >> teacher outside of education. If these are your two options, >> go social work. >> >> However, if I were you I would get a degree in health care or >> IT. Much better job prospects...

Jul 19, 2012

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ICTS test score reports

by Beth

Jun 2, 2012

Hi, I am certified to teach in Illinois, but I have been hired by a district in Kansas. I am applying for Kansas licensure and need to send in my test scores ASAP. I have contacted ICTS and requested the scores. They say it takes 2-4 weeks to get them. Does anyone know if it is closer to the 2 weeks or the the 4? Is there any way to expedite the pr...See More

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Vote YES

by Michael

Jun 5, 2012

I ask all of my CTU brothers and sisters to vote YES tomorrow in our Strike Authorization Vote.

Solidarity Forever

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Do Not Hire List

by Linda Moore

Jun 6, 2012

How do you know whether or not you are on the "DO NOT HIRE LIST?"

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sped On 6/06/12, Linda Moore wrote: > How do you know whether or not you are on the "DO NOT HIRE > LIST?"

This is a Chicago Public Schools thing. You get on it by being non-renewed twice, and/or having an unsatisfactory evaluation. Not everyone gets put on it though.

If you are outside of CPS, most districts have an informal "Do ...See More

Jun 6, 2012

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Phonics Vs. Sight Words

by Chanell Smith

Jun 7, 2012

honics VS. Sight Words Which learning tool provides the most effective results in pre K - first grade children how to read?

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Kathy The younger pre-K kiddos love to identify sight words. However, you need to build on them using phonics (word families, etc). My mom has a friend who is in her early 60's. She was only taught by sight word, no phonics. To this day she cannot sound out words, which is a huge issue when she gets up in church to read. Some of those biblical names and ...See More

Jul 27, 2012

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anon It ISN'T "either/or." There are words in the English language that do not fit into any kind of "sounding out/phonics" system (words like "the," "something," "people," etc.), so they must be recognized by sight. The great majority of words can be sounded out, but to be able to read both phonics and sight words need to be taught.

"Whole lan...See More

Jul 27, 2012

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application question

by anna

Jun 26, 2012

Is it okay to not respond to the question why did you leave position if you do not answer the question for each previous job listed?

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Turtlediary.com

by Turtlediary

Jun 29, 2012

Turtlediary.com is an online educational website for kids between Preschool and Grade 2. It offers a wide variety of educational activities for kids and learning aids for teachers and parents like interactive learning videos, educational skill building games, reading exercises, preschool activities, practice worksheets, art and craft activities and...See More

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Recommendation for MS endorsement

by Shelli

Jul 10, 2012

I am looking to satisfy my MS endorsement by completing the two required MS courses, MS Philosophy Curriculum & Methods Instruction and Ed. Psychology of MS. Does anyone have a recommended university that offers these on-line and in person? I haven’t decided which would be best yet. Also, I am hoping to keep the cost low. I already have my MA...See More

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Michael I got it after taking two classes at NEIU. We met on the first day of class and on the last day. There were weekly online assignments and a big group project that we met for once. It was a reasonable amount of work. You'll get out what you put it.

On 7/10/12, Shelli wrote: > I am looking to satisfy my MS endorsement by completing the &...See More

Jul 12, 2012

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HS English endorsement

by Sra W

Jul 20, 2012

I'm currently taking 2 classes online through Indiana State that I'm thinking could be counted for the last 6 hours I need for my HS English endorsement. How would I go about finding out if they apply and how do I apply?

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Michael You should have gotten the courses pre-approved by ISBE. Apply for the endorsement, get a deficiency letter and then send course descriptions and ask for pre-approval. Otherwise wait until you have transcripts, send those in with course descriptions, and hope they'll accept them.

On 7/20/12, Sra W wrote: > I'm currently taking 2 classe...See More

Jul 21, 2012

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Sra W Thanks for the advice; I am taking the classes to take them, so it's okay if they don't apply to the endorsement. If they do, great. If not, no biggie.

On 7/21/12, Michael wrote: > You should have gotten the courses pre-approved by ISBE. Apply > for the endorsement, get a deficiency letter and then send > course descriptions and ...See More

Jul 21, 2012

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LBSI Endorsement from University of St. Francis

by Shari

Aug 3, 2012

I am looking to add an LBSI Endorsement to my Type 03 certificate. I found an online program through the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois and it looks to be a good way to go. Has anyone received their LBSI Endorsement with this program?

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Shari On 8/12/12, Lee wrote: > On 8/03/12, Shari wrote: >> I am looking to add an LBSI Endorsement to my Type 03 >> certificate. I found an online program through the >> University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois and it looks >> to be a good way to go. Has anyone received their LBSI >> Endorsement with this program? &...See More

Aug 26, 2012

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Stacu On 8/26/12, Shari wrote: > On 8/12/12, Lee wrote: >> On 8/03/12, Shari wrote: >>> I am looking to add an LBSI Endorsement to my Type 03 >>> certificate. I found an online program through the >>> University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois and it looks >>> to be a good way to go. Has anyone received th...See More

Nov 6, 2012

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