Ohio Teachers Chatboard

pksped I can't help you with the praxis question. I'm an oldtimer; I took the NTE. I remember the NTE early childhood test having lots of questions on child development and various educational theories (Bank Street, Montessori, Piaget, Erickson, etc.) Where other tests might seem tough due to content (proving you know algebra in and out), this one might s...See MoreI can't help you with the praxis question. I'm an oldtimer; I took the NTE. I remember the NTE early childhood test having lots of questions on child development and various educational theories (Bank Street, Montessori, Piaget, Erickson, etc.) Where other tests might seem tough due to content (proving you know algebra in and out), this one might seem tough to some due to theory. Hopefully some teachers with younger blood will respond.

Pre-k through 3 jobs are pretty tough to come by, too. I don't know which market is more saturated, but I would guess that they would be close. I assume that you are looking at going back to college since you are talking about a new area of concentration. Have you considered special ed? I know many teachers who started their career in special ed, then moved to regular ed once they had their foot in a district door. That was my intention, but 15 years later, here I still am. I would think that a special ed background would immensely help a reg ed teacher, what with so many students who have difficulties but still don't qualify for sped services.

In Ohio, if you have the pre-k through 3 licensure, you can take a few courses to add (I think it's) 4-6 to your licensure. That might be a good route, then you would be licensed preschool-12th grade. Of course, you'll go broke renewing all of those.

Our district has hired several pre-3rd grade teachers, and one of the biggest complaints I hear from elem teachers is that they fear they'll never have job stability --if Mrs. Smith has to be reassigned due to decreasing enrollment but is only certified through 3rd grade, then Mr. Jones, current 3rd grade teacher who loves his job, might be forced to go to an open 5th grade position just because he is qualified for it and she isn't.

I wish you the best of luck.

n 5/10/09, Just Curious wrote: > I'm considering earning a degree in Early Childhood (Pre- K > to 3) and was happy to see that there is a Praxis exam for > this area. I know of several horror stories (and have even > seen posts on this chatboard) about people who couldn't > pass certain parts of the elementary (thru grade 8) exams. > > So I have a few questions. If you have taken the Pre-K - > Grade 3 exam, how was your experience? Also, if you have > managed to obtain a job, either in the past or recently, > was the competition for positions greater due to those with > the elementary license or would say that the Pre K- Grade 3 > license carries merit? > > And before I get a bunch of links to the Praxis website, > I'm all too familiar with the tests as I'm licensed 7-12 > Language Arts. (And jobs are slim pickins in my corner of > OH. Hence, the need for a change). > > Great board here! Thank you for your responses! > >

May 10, 2009

Anyone from the OU/Athens area?

by pksped

May 10, 2009

I'm taking my kids to see my nephew at OU on Friday. (Yes, it's a day trip.) Can you think of any public playgrounds or other fun attractions for a 10 year old and/or 4 year old? Seeing my nephew will be the highlight, I just wondered if there is anything close by so the little ones won't be bored the entire time. What restaurants are close by? I c...See More

interventionist m/m question

by alchemy

May 10, 2009

I've just begun taking classes to be certified as a mild/moderate intervention specialist. My adviser mentioned that since I am a seasoned teacher already and will have several classes under my belt by the time the next school year begins that I might be able to be hired with special licensing. Is this true? If so, how do I put this on my resume?

pksped I don't know about the exact wording for your resume, but I think your advisor is right. We hired a preschool special needs teacher who wasn't highly qualified (preschool cert, but not sped cert. She taught for almost 5 years before attaining her "highly qualified" status. (She had yearly temporary certificates, which are good only in the district ...See More

May 11, 2009

My wife has been subbing for the last year at a district she would love to work in. Unfortunately the job possibilities there are small. She has some interviews with other districts that would not be first choice. I know this putting the cart miles before the horse, but what are her options if she is offered a position in the second choice district...See More

New Contract Question

by Spouse of Teacher

May 15, 2009

(2)

pksped If your wife were to be offered a job today, she would immediately sign a new contract for the 09-10 school year. This is for her benefit; you want her to sign a contract as soon as possible. If a second district were to offer her a contract, then she could legally (and easily) break the first contract by the "magic date." I believe the magic date ...See MoreIf your wife were to be offered a job today, she would immediately sign a new contract for the 09-10 school year. This is for her benefit; you want her to sign a contract as soon as possible. If a second district were to offer her a contract, then she could legally (and easily) break the first contract by the "magic date." I believe the magic date in Ohio is July 10; hopefully someone will correct me if that date is wrong. Assuming I am correct, then these things could happen: 1) She could break the original contract as late as July 9. She really should break it as soon as possible to be fair to that school district; don't encourage her to hold on to it "just in case" she changes her mind about the 2nd school district. They need time to find a qualified teacher before the "magic date" when everyone else is locked into place. 2) She could actually break the original contract after July 10. Most of the time, that school district would be very understanding and release her with no problem; heaven knows there are a wealth of other applicants from which to choose. HOWEVER, the school district legally could hold her, meaning that she is forced to teach for them for the year or they could legally "hold" her teaching contract for one school year, blocking her from teaching ANYWHERE for the 09-10 school year. I know teachers who left after that date (they were offered a principal position, etc) and to my knowledge, our district has never penalized anyone. That law is to protect teachers and districts so that multiple people aren't holding out until the last second. After July 10, things are pretty much cemented in any district, save for new jobs created (an extra large 2nd grade bunch that requires an additional teacher, a medical emergency, a job that admin know would need to be created but they never got around to posting it yet, etc.)

Speaking of the business side, you probably know this, but there is no negotiating with a teacher's contract (like there is in the business world.) Your wife will be offered what every other teacher (with similar experience and education background) is offered. She won't get more for teaching in an area of teacher shortage, because she has an ivy league degree, etc. Pay differs per district, but not within the district (again, comparing two people with similar backgrounds and educational experiences.)

n 5/15/09, Spouse of Teacher wrote: > My wife has been subbing for the last year at a district > she would love to work in. Unfortunately the job > possibilities there are small. She has some interviews > with other districts that would not be first choice. I > know this putting the cart miles before the horse, but > what are her options if she is offered a position in the > second choice district and then is offered a position in > the favorite district? Do you immediatley sign a contract > when you are offered a position or is there a grace period > moving closer to the start of the year? What if she has > signed the contract when another job is offerred but the > school year has not started? > > In this climate I will admit that 2 offers is a long shot, > but am the worrying kind of spouse. I am also amazed at > how little of this nuts and bolts career basics are taught > while pursuing an education degree. They dont really > discuss the business side of the job at all. > > Thanks for any advce

May 16, 2009

Holly The magic date to break contracts is mid July, however, I know most districts will let you out of the contract after that date anyway.

Schools do not want someone teaching there if it is not where they want to be.

So, I would have your wife sign the first contract that comes her way regardless and then if something better comes ...See More

Jun 22, 2009

Cincinatti

by Cathy

May 17, 2009

What are the best school districts in the Cincinatti area? I will be moving, and would also be interested in which districts are not the best. I am interested in districts about 20 miles north of Cincinatti.

Wow, I See Why You Need to Know Someone!

by Elizabeth

May 19, 2009

The good news is, there have been many openings in my husband's field, the bad news is, he hasn't exactly gotten any calls. He is LT subbing right now, so I get to make the F/U calls to the applications he sends to check to see if and when the district has started interviewing.

Some districts have been 2 hours from our home, but you know, ...See More

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austin On 5/19/09, I know just what you mean... wrote: > I know right where you are coming from! My husband (4-9 math > and language arts teacher) had to take a teaching job in > North Carolina after trying for two years to find a teaching > job in Ohio. We moved to N.C. in the fall of 2005 and have > been applying for teaching jobs in Ohio...See More

May 22, 2009

In NC... Hi, I've been reading through this thread and have a few suggestions for places to look:

[link removed]

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None of these school systems are perfect and from what I understand you gotta call the schools individually- to let the principal know you're interested.

You must perform...See More

May 23, 2009

Hello I am looking for some advice. I have already read the post/replies concerning student teaching and not being able to quit their jobs. I am in the same boat, please don't tell me that you have to sacrifice as I have no husband or other support system nor am I an individual in college with minimal expenses. Not having income is not an option to...See More

Alt. Educator Licensure

by Rena

May 19, 2009

Bob I hav an alternative license in Integrated Mathematics (grades 7-12). It is a good alternative if you cannot take the time off for student teaching. I believe that the alternative license is only for math and science. Check with ODE to make sure. It may be more difficult to get a job with the alternative license, but if a school hires someone with ...See More

May 20, 2009

Praxis testing

by kel

May 21, 2009

So I am hearing that Praxis testing has been cancelled for the state of Ohio. Has anyone heard this? The rumor around my school is that is was done May 1, 2009. Yet, I do not see anything on the ODE website. Can anyone give me any information on this?

title 1 qualifications

by Leslie

May 23, 2009

My certification is 1-8 Does this qualify me to be a title I teacher? Leslie

fellow teacher On 5/23/09, Leslie wrote: > My certification is 1-8 > Does this qualify me to be a title I teacher? > Leslie

It depends on the school system where the Title I program/position is located and the needs of the Title I students in that system. Some systems require specific skills or training to implement the duties of the program/pos...See More

Jun 29, 2009

Summer Tutoring

by Emily

May 26, 2009

A few parents have approached me about tutoring their children over the summer. What is the going rate for tutors? How much would you charge for a 45 minute session?