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Anyone else have problems interviewing in Manassas?

by Scarlett

Apr 6, 2011

A couple of years ago I had an interview for an ESL position in Manassas. I drove four hours to get there and found out that I would be interviewed by another "ESL teacher" that I would be working closely with and who was an hour late. She asked me about my TESOL experience and when I told her I have an MA in TESOL and 18 years post grad teaching a...See More

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Scarlett On 4/08/11, Kathy wrote: > On 4/06/11, Scarlett wrote: >> A couple of years ago I had an interview for an ESL >> position in Manassas. I drove four hours to get there and >> found out that I would be interviewed by another "ESL >> teacher" that I would be working closely with and who was >> an hour late. She asked m...See More

Apr 11, 2011

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Kathy On 4/11/11, Scarlett wrote: > On 4/08/11, Kathy wrote: >> On 4/06/11, Scarlett wrote: >>> A couple of years ago I had an interview for an ESL >>> position in Manassas. I drove four hours to get there and >>> found out that I would be interviewed by another "ESL >>> teacher" that I would be working closel...See More

Apr 11, 2011

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Teaching Opportunties

by Other Options

Apr 7, 2011

From what I have seen with young adults in our area here in Virginia, teaching jobs for new teachers especially are still very tight. Here is an agency that places teachers in private schools in the south. Some options may not be that far out of DC if you want to start in that general area and might be explored at [link removed].

I also re...See More

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Advice for how to best switch careers to teaching

by lifechanger

Apr 26, 2011

Hi everyone. I relocated to Northern VA last year and would like to change careers and become a teacher with high school or middle school kids. I have been looking at the various options to get training to do this and remain more confused than ever about what the best path would be and am hoping I can get good advice. I would like to teach either h...See MoreHi everyone. I relocated to Northern VA last year and would like to change careers and become a teacher with high school or middle school kids. I have been looking at the various options to get training to do this and remain more confused than ever about what the best path would be and am hoping I can get good advice. I would like to teach either history or English, which seem to be the toughest areas in which to find jobs. Ideally I would get certified in both (but would consider ESL teaching if I could not get a job in these other areas). I want to find an educational path through which I am very likely to find a job in the DC area after completing the program. By far, the easiest route to certification looks like the career switcher programs at NOVA or Shenendoah. Neither program requires a previous major or equivalent in the subject (I have a major in Humanities, with a lot of history, not a lot of English, minimal to little geography/economics/gov -but a great ability with standardized tests.I am confident about my ability to pass the Praxis II exams). However, I am concerned that these programs would not lead me to actual employment. The other possible training options would all require significantly more time and money, plus the completion of a large amount of prerequisite coursework, which varies to some degree depending on whether I plan to stay in Virginia or go to DC or Maryland. I would be willing to do all of this additional training if I would be much more likely to get a good job and/or if the training would be much better at preparing me. I am a little nervous about the idea of going into a classroom without adequate mentoring, despite having taught a bit at the university level. I should also note that I already have a masters (almost a PhD) in psych, so believe that earning another masters degree would not necessarily help me in terms of raising my salary. With all this in mind, what is your opinion about what I should do? I would really appreciate your input.

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Other Options What kinds of work have you been doing most recently with your previous education? Have you considered registering with school divisions as a substitute teacher to see if even the setting of middle or high school would be what you really want? You seem a little all over the board (psychology to history to English or ESL) and perhaps would benefit f...See MoreWhat kinds of work have you been doing most recently with your previous education? Have you considered registering with school divisions as a substitute teacher to see if even the setting of middle or high school would be what you really want? You seem a little all over the board (psychology to history to English or ESL) and perhaps would benefit from some career counseling which might be available in NOVA for folks just like you. As you say, why get further education in a field where there are likely few jobs to be had. Also if you do not need to be working even part-time right away, have you considered seeing if you could find a job or a career pathway to build upon your advanced education in psychology?

On 4/26/11, lifechanger wrote: > Hi everyone. I relocated to Northern VA last year and would > like to change careers and become a teacher with high school > or middle school kids. I have been looking at the various > options to get training to do this and remain more confused > than ever about what the best path would be and am hoping I > can get good advice. I would like to teach either history or > English, which seem to be the toughest areas in which to > find jobs. Ideally I would get certified in both (but would > consider ESL teaching if I could not get a job in these > other areas). I want to find an educational path through > which I am very likely to find a job in the DC area after > completing the program. By far, the easiest route to > certification looks like the career switcher programs at > NOVA or Shenendoah. Neither program requires a previous > major or equivalent in the subject (I have a major in > Humanities, with a lot of history, not a lot of English, > minimal to little geography/economics/gov -but a great > ability with standardized tests.I am confident about my > ability to pass the Praxis II exams). However, I am > concerned that these programs would not lead me to actual > employment. The other possible training options would all > require significantly more time and money, plus the > completion of a large amount of prerequisite coursework, > which varies to some degree depending on whether I plan to > stay in Virginia or go to DC or Maryland. I would be willing > to do all of this additional training if I would be much > more likely to get a good job and/or if the training would > be much better at preparing me. I am a little nervous about > the idea of going into a classroom without adequate > mentoring, despite having taught a bit at the university > level. I should also note that I already have a masters > (almost a PhD) in psych, so believe that earning another > masters degree would not necessarily help me in terms of > raising my salary. With all this in mind, what is your > opinion about what I should do? I would really appreciate > your input.

Apr 27, 2011

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Teachers under H1B

by Sara

May 4, 2011

As you may have heard things in TX are getting tough (yeah even more) for teachers. We are a foreign family (husband and wife are both certified teachers in VA and TX) working under H1B visa and half way on PR. We just got the letter nobody wants to receive: We have been laid off, we have lost our jobs here due to the financial crisis and state bud...See More

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Other Options If you are in key areas of need such as STEM education fields AND if you have really outstanding references, then how about contacting the District of Columbia to see if they would continue the sponsorship? They are not a state and maybe it would be an option.

May 4, 2011

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so how important is a screening interview?

by Chris

May 9, 2011

Hi all,

It's been a pleasure learning more about VA and you certainly have a very nice state. So what is the "real deal" with these screening interviews? We don't do them where I'm from. It seems like a decent number of these districts in VA and MD just sorta offer the opportunity to go to a screening interview to anybody who calls and tal...See More

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Loudoun County teacher On 5/09/11, Chris wrote: Hi there,I can only speak for myself with Loudoun County. I was hired at a job fair through a screening interview. I believe that if you "pass" that part, you then would be eligible for interviews with principals. I would take any interview you get very seriously. You never know where it will lead you! Good Luck!

&...See More

May 11, 2011

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Chris Thanks--that's basically what I was trying to figure out..if it's a "pass/fail" type thing.

On 5/11/11, Loudoun County teacher wrote: > On 5/09/11, Chris wrote: Hi there,I can only speak for myself > with Loudoun County. I was hired at a job fair through a > screening interview. I believe that if you "pass" that part, > you th...See More

May 19, 2011

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VRA

by Suzanne

May 11, 2011

Hi all~ I didn't know that this board existed until today!

Anyways, I am registered to take the VRA this coming Saturday and I am SO NERVOUS! I have been reviewing out of 2 study guides (XAM book and Momedia). Do any of you have any recommendations for me? I know it's last minute, but advice would be appreciated.

I'm super nervo...See More

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Bulldog with an update Congrats to Suzanne! She passed the VRA!!!

Jun 12, 2011

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Suzanne Thank you! :) I'm so relieved, I can breathe now! :)

On 6/12/11, Bulldog with an update wrote: > Congrats to Suzanne! She passed the VRA!!!

Jun 12, 2011

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WHI SOL

by Bulldog

May 12, 2011

I've heard how poorly students across the state have done on the WHI SOL. I will be serving on the SOL Question Review committee this summer and I'd like some ammo to go into the meeting with. What are some of the beefs regarding the questions? Graphics? Help me help us all.

Bulldog!

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PS from Bulldog I also had a 55% pass rate in my regular classes and an 97% in my advanced classes. What were your classes pass rates?

On 5/12/11, Bulldog wrote: > I've heard how poorly students across the state have done > on the WHI SOL. I will be serving on the SOL Question > Review committee this summer and I'd like some ammo to go > into ...See More

May 12, 2011

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Trans-Atlantic Science

by Diego Gonzalez

May 13, 2011

Hello everybody, my name is Diego Gonzalez and I am a science teacher who teaches Science in a mid-school in Malaga (Andalucia) southern Spain.

I'm currently in the United States with the intention of contact with teachers who could be interested in making an educational project for the next academic course 2011-2012, so that science stud...See More

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VA Teacher allocations

by Sandy

May 20, 2011

Can anyone tell me when districts in VA get their teacher allocations for the next school year? When do they actually start hiring from the outside?

Thank you!

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TTeach Good question! I know its been a while since you asked it, but are you still looking? It looks like they got their alloctions and are starting to post jobs now. They have not posted anything in my certifications in VA Beach where I want to go yet though. How's your job search going?

Jun 5, 2011

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Never in *CPS W, FCPS, Alexandria and Arlington are open for minority teacher applicants. The other county near these counties is very choosy. If you are not of caucasian origin, and only a naturalized citizen whose educational background is not in the US despite of your outstanding teaching record in America, don't even bother appplying in *CPS. I applied in *C...See More

Jun 7, 2011

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