Becoming a teacher?

Timbuff10

Timbuff10

Well-Known Member
So is there a website like jetcareers for people who are looking into the teaching profession?

How does it work. If you already have a degree, how do you become a gradeschool teacher? I know you need a teaching certificate but what does that entail? A 9 week course or something? Does it cost a fortune to become a teacher?

Any teachers out there?
 
It depends on the state where you teach. Quite a few states have what's called lateral entry and you can begin teaching with no teaching certificate but you must take classes to obtain one within a certain time frame. I taught in NC and FL and most people in the lateral entry programs just opted to get a Master's in Education. I only know about FL and NC, but some states might just require you to pass their tests before you can teach. That was not the case where I taught.

Most states also have what's called reciprocity. Your teaching certificate will be honored in other states. When I moved to FL all I had to do was take a test on a computer, cut a check to the DOE, and my new certificate was in the mail. I'm currently working on transferring my FL certificate back to NC since I recently moved back to Charlotte.

It's difficult to tell you how much it would cost without knowing what your state requires to become certified. In VA it's 150 bucks for the license alone. They also require 18 semester hours of credit. Here's a link that might answer some of your questions. You'll have to cut and paste it because I hit quick reply and can't find the option to post as a link.

http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/newvdoe/licroute.htm
 
Yikes, sounds like there is alot more to it than I realized. I have heard it can be pretty difficult here in Colorado but in VA it looks to be alot easier. Not sure if I would want to go back to school and get a masters in education though. Interesting reading though, thanks alot!

What do you teach? Grade? Subjects?
 
I taught 2nd-4th grade, mostly 4th for 8 years before leaving teaching for the airlines. I taught every single subject. I'm sure CO has a department of ed website that will tell you what you're looking for. I'm getting my NC certificate so I can get a little more cash when I sub in Charlotte.
 
used to teach in high school, science, Georgia. I can tell you a little more about that particular state if you like.

adreamer
 
Sure, I'm interested...

It seems the requirements vary alot from state to state. I am thinking this could be a neat fallback to have incase I ever get bored with flying or something else happens? Might be a good idea to start working on it sometime.
 
In state of GA, especially Atlanta and surrounding area, there is always need for teachers. Few years back, some schools actually ask retire teachers return to work due to student load. In the state of GA, you can only put 28 students in one single classroom. You can always go to http://www.teachgeorgia.org/ for employment infomation. In my memory serve me correctly, GA teacher pay scale was in top 20 in the nation. Most of school systems treat teachers well

The advantage of being teacher - June, July, and August :rawk:

The dis-advantage of teacher - you have to ask around. I am not saying that on the net.

adreamer
 
Honestly NO offense(shouldnt start out that way) But how do people say I want to be a teacher when you end up havin 120 Highschoolers pissed of at the teacher???? I have Had some great teachers and I know its besides the point, I just want to know. Thanks if your not pissed off all ready at me.
 
The pay, or lack of it is amazing. Apparently there's a teacher shortage in North Carolina. And instead of offering more pay/incentives, according to their salary charts, first year pay is ~ $28,000 - $32,000. Hard for a family to live on that ... the increase increments from year to year seem minimal ....

... any educators care to elaborate about pay as a teacher?
 
Teacher pay is so depressing. I mean where would any us be without our teachers growing up? I have some good friends that teach, and I think they should be making 50K to start. If GW Bush really wants to save this country's kids, start by paying teachers and retaining the good ones!
 
teacher's pay

Well, I have changed my career into flying thingy. From my experiences at GA, the teacher salary scale is set by the state. Therefore, the basic is the same. The difference is the local supplement. For example, you live around Atlanta, your supplement would be a more due to higher living expense. The insurance is also state teacher insurance thingy(sorry, I forgot already). However, I do remember I have to pay it out my pocket or pay check.

when you end up havin 120 Highschoolers pissed of at the teacher????
Click to expand...

I had about 150 students walking in and out my classroom everyday. It is hard to piss off 120 students, believe me. Well, before I left teaching, I overheard my students' conversation from my last class.

Student A:"Darn it, I failed two classes at mid-term."
Student B:"What classes?"
Student A:"failed health, and math classes"
Student B:"You fail that little Chinese dude's class. You sucks big time. Before you blame anything to that little Chinese dude, parents, school, society. You have to think about what you are doing in the high school. That Chinese dudes thinks anyway to give you a passing grade. You flunked it - That means you sucks. Now, leave your teacher alone."

That put a big smile on my faces. :rawk:

adreamer
 
Windchill said:
The pay, or lack of it is amazing. Apparently there's a teacher shortage in North Carolina. And instead of offering more pay/incentives, according to their salary charts, first year pay is ~ $28,000 - $32,000. Hard for a family to live on that ... the increase increments from year to year seem minimal ....

... any educators care to elaborate about pay as a teacher?
Click to expand...

Teacher pay in the south sucks, that's why there is almost always a teacher shortage in these state. Up north you can do pretty well, I have a friend who teaches just north of Chicago and he makes upper 50's after about 7 years.
 
EDUC8-or said:
Teacher pay in the south sucks, that's why there is almost always a teacher shortage in these state. Up north you can do pretty well, I have a friend who teaches just north of Chicago and he makes upper 50's after about 7 years.
Click to expand...

There's got to be a direct correlation between student success and teacher salaries.
 
There's got to be a direct correlation between student success and teacher salaries.
Click to expand...

This sounds good in theory ... but when a student's success ultimately lies from a motivation within to study and do well ... and good parental involvement ... too many variables affecting success are out of teachers' hands.
 
I am currently teaching English is Korea. If you are looking for a backup plan, working and living here is not that bad. You should be able to work at one of the local universities or 2 year colleges once you get about 2-3 years experience. Those jobs typically require you to work about 12-20 hours a week (that is actual teaching time), plus maybe 5 office hours a week. Throw in a paid apartment, 1/2 of medical insurance, a free round trip plane ticket back to the States every year, a severence payment every 12 months (equal to your monthly salary), and a pension (another $1200 bonus every year), and working here isn't that bad. I have met some college teachers who work 15 hours a week for $2200/month (where your only fixed expenses are utilities, cell phone and internet, which is about $200/month). Add in the extra work he is doing on the side for $30-60/hr (depending on the class size), and he's able to save about $40k a year. Yes, you do have to give up some luxeries of living in America, but imagine SAVING $40k/year. I dont know where else you can do that as a teacher.
 
Teacher pay in the south sucks, that's why there is almost always a teacher shortage in these state. Up north you can do pretty well, ...
Click to expand...

But the cost of living is much less too. My wife and I are considering moving down into NC/SC for this very reason.

In the DC suburbs ... a townhouse goes for $300,000 (old) - $450,000 (new). Whereas down south, we could buy a new townhome for $100,000 give or take.
 
It's cheaper, but there are places in rural PA, IL, MI, NY, etc... where you can live for cheap and make more than you would as a teacher down south. I prefer it down here because I'm a wimp and I can't take the cold any more. If I'm forced to be based up north I might have to go back to commuting. As much as I hate commuting I need the warm weather now.
 
Chris_Ford said:
Do you have to speak Korean though? Not just for the job, but for everyday life?
Click to expand...


You don't HAVE to, but it's really useful if you did. Korean is so much easier to read than English. There are about 50 characters in total, and as soon as you can memorize those sounds, you can read. As for the job, you are encouraged NOT to speak Korean to the students, so they are completely immersed in English while you are teaching them. This is a great opportunity for anyone just coming out of college, wanting to pay off those student loans, or save for flight schools. I will finish my first year next week. I averaged about 28 hours a week, including all the take home stuff I have to do (grading papers, making exams, writing report cards, etc..), yet I still managed to save about $14k.
 
Customx said:
I am currently teaching English is Korea. If you are looking for a backup plan, working and living here is not that bad. You should be able to work at one of the local universities or 2 year colleges once you get about 2-3 years experience. Those jobs typically require you to work about 12-20 hours a week (that is actual teaching time), plus maybe 5 office hours a week. Throw in a paid apartment, 1/2 of medical insurance, a free round trip plane ticket back to the States every year, a severence payment every 12 months (equal to your monthly salary), and a pension (another $1200 bonus every year), and working here isn't that bad. I have met some college teachers who work 15 hours a week for $2200/month (where your only fixed expenses are utilities, cell phone and internet, which is about $200/month). Add in the extra work he is doing on the side for $30-60/hr (depending on the class size), and he's able to save about $40k a year. Yes, you do have to give up some luxeries of living in America, but imagine SAVING $40k/year. I dont know where else you can do that as a teacher.
Click to expand...

Hey MX, do you pay U.S. taxes while working in Korea ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top