Hello all! Newbie here! I've been a lurker for quite a while. I think I may have actually read ALL of the threads. I finally got up the courage to post. I'm switching from higher education to K-12. I've always had a significant interest in international education.
Current qualifications or lack of qualifications:
MATESOL from US university
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature
1+ year substitute teaching and K-12 tutoring
1 year ESL instructor at Refugee Development Center
1 year Coordinator of Office of Multicultural Affairs (university level)
5 years Writing Center Specialist both ESL and Native Speakers (Tutor and Tutor Trainer) university level
3 years University Instructor (Both Writing and ESL)
(I'm aware much of this experience will not count as it is before K-12 teacher certification)
I am in the process of applying for FAST TRAIN at George Mason University for Teacher certification. I will be certified in elementary education and add a K-12 ESL endorsement and IB. It would begin the summer of 2013 and end in 2014. I've researched alternatives that would be quicker but cannot find an option that does not require me to move to a different state for student teaching or to pursue a full time position for a year ie. Texas Teachers and TeacherReady of Florida. As I plan to pursue international teaching, moving twice in such a short period of time is financially impossible for my family.
1.) Does anyone have any alternative programs to suggest that would not require a move to the state?
2.) Are there any other endorsements that are in my area and marketable?
Thanks in advance! I appreciate all replies and advice anyone takes the time to give.
Certification Desperation
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Risingfromashes
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:32 pm
- Location: United States
Yeah
Not only is all your experience before certification its all ESL and none of it in a real K-12 environment.
An IB teacher award is nice but its not a substitute for IB experience. Really the reception from IS heads has been pretty lack luster. That said IB training is better then nothing.
You can do the texas teachers program in 12 weeks. You do the seminars online now during the summer, along with your content tests. You student teach in the fall, you would be done around thanksgiving (3 months). Its the fastest program i know from start to finish.
http://www.texasteachers.org/clinical-teaching/
Some people have reported that the Teach Ready program will let you do your student teaching/internship outside the state in another country. It coincides with what Ive heard of the program, which is a very nice option.
You really should consider though whether you want to "rush" through the process. The minimum for an IT is 2 years of post certification, K-12 experience. Without it your really looking only at bottom tier schools anyway. So an international internship/practicum/student teaching would fill at least one of those years, and as most contracts are two years any way, rushing though isnt the most ideal. Especially, if you have to come back during the summer to realistically do your testing anyway.
From my POV, there really isnt a shortcut your going to wind up at the bottom either way. 1) You either get a certificate fast and have zero experience, which is pretty unmarketable, and have to put in two years at bottom tier school getting that experience. 2) You do the slow, take your time certification route, at a bottom tier school as an intern getting certified and building the two years experience you need to be marketable.
Okay those clarifications aside, you need to think outside the USA, and consider doing a PGCE. They are mostly one year programs, comprised almost entirely of coursework, you can do it all online, or by distance. There is no "student teaching" component, just some observations, and you can work with the school to do them just about anywhere in the world.
An IB teacher award is nice but its not a substitute for IB experience. Really the reception from IS heads has been pretty lack luster. That said IB training is better then nothing.
You can do the texas teachers program in 12 weeks. You do the seminars online now during the summer, along with your content tests. You student teach in the fall, you would be done around thanksgiving (3 months). Its the fastest program i know from start to finish.
http://www.texasteachers.org/clinical-teaching/
Some people have reported that the Teach Ready program will let you do your student teaching/internship outside the state in another country. It coincides with what Ive heard of the program, which is a very nice option.
You really should consider though whether you want to "rush" through the process. The minimum for an IT is 2 years of post certification, K-12 experience. Without it your really looking only at bottom tier schools anyway. So an international internship/practicum/student teaching would fill at least one of those years, and as most contracts are two years any way, rushing though isnt the most ideal. Especially, if you have to come back during the summer to realistically do your testing anyway.
From my POV, there really isnt a shortcut your going to wind up at the bottom either way. 1) You either get a certificate fast and have zero experience, which is pretty unmarketable, and have to put in two years at bottom tier school getting that experience. 2) You do the slow, take your time certification route, at a bottom tier school as an intern getting certified and building the two years experience you need to be marketable.
Okay those clarifications aside, you need to think outside the USA, and consider doing a PGCE. They are mostly one year programs, comprised almost entirely of coursework, you can do it all online, or by distance. There is no "student teaching" component, just some observations, and you can work with the school to do them just about anywhere in the world.
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Risingfromashes
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:32 pm
- Location: United States
Figured
Thank you for your quick and honest reply! I was afraid that would be the case with my experience. There are days I kick myself for not pursuing K-12 certification when I was substitute teaching and tutoring years ago. At the time, there were no MATESOL programs in my area that had certification options only bilingual. Honestly, I love teaching both adults and children but elementary teaching is more stable and it has more opportunities for the creative lesson planning that I love.
Starting at the bottom of the scale will be a bit rough, but I know I have to pay my dues.
Your advice about rushing through the process is very valid. My instinct was to rush to make up for the time I've lost, but it might not bring me closer to a job opportunity. I will give TeacherReady a call tomorrow. Thanks for letting me know about the overseas student teaching possibility! I'll also have to look into internships. I've seen them mentioned on Search or ISS but I wasn't sure if they were paid or could be counted as teaching experience.
Thanks for suggesting the PGCE. Makes me wish I was from the UK. I need a qualification that will be accepted overseas and back in the States. My family is willing to explore different positions internationally, but we weren't planning to stay overseas indefinitely so I would like a certification that will work in the US as well.
Could you clarify what could be expected at a "bottom tier school"?
Are there any in Asia?
Would it be better to try to obtain a position stateside for 2 years before applying or obtain the internship?
Is anyone else pursuing alternative certification through the US? If so, what program?
Thanks again for all your help!
Starting at the bottom of the scale will be a bit rough, but I know I have to pay my dues.
Your advice about rushing through the process is very valid. My instinct was to rush to make up for the time I've lost, but it might not bring me closer to a job opportunity. I will give TeacherReady a call tomorrow. Thanks for letting me know about the overseas student teaching possibility! I'll also have to look into internships. I've seen them mentioned on Search or ISS but I wasn't sure if they were paid or could be counted as teaching experience.
Thanks for suggesting the PGCE. Makes me wish I was from the UK. I need a qualification that will be accepted overseas and back in the States. My family is willing to explore different positions internationally, but we weren't planning to stay overseas indefinitely so I would like a certification that will work in the US as well.
Could you clarify what could be expected at a "bottom tier school"?
Are there any in Asia?
Would it be better to try to obtain a position stateside for 2 years before applying or obtain the internship?
Is anyone else pursuing alternative certification through the US? If so, what program?
Thanks again for all your help!
Bottom Tier
The bottom tier or third tier schools are usually in the middle east or Asia. Its a subjective scale, and no hard definitions. Finding teachers that will agree is difficult. They are characterized by one or more of the following:
1) Hardship or undesirable region or city.
2) Poor administration. Meaning either locally run admins, or the real bad ones.
3) Lots of tunover, so schools don't invest in their teachers, since staff move though them like revolving doors.
4) Private owners, and for profit schools. In these cases the powers that be are in it for the money, and there is no insulation to see that the schools education mandate is protected.
5) Cheap and underfunded. Few if any classroom resources. Your compensation package is low. Either a low salary, and or cheap on the expenses, especially when it comes to your family. Things like minimum tuition waivers, insurance, flights, housing.
6) Local, meaning local curriculum, or unofficial curriculum and the student body is typically local as well.
There are other more specific examples, but I think most of them would fall under one of the above.
1) Hardship or undesirable region or city.
2) Poor administration. Meaning either locally run admins, or the real bad ones.
3) Lots of tunover, so schools don't invest in their teachers, since staff move though them like revolving doors.
4) Private owners, and for profit schools. In these cases the powers that be are in it for the money, and there is no insulation to see that the schools education mandate is protected.
5) Cheap and underfunded. Few if any classroom resources. Your compensation package is low. Either a low salary, and or cheap on the expenses, especially when it comes to your family. Things like minimum tuition waivers, insurance, flights, housing.
6) Local, meaning local curriculum, or unofficial curriculum and the student body is typically local as well.
There are other more specific examples, but I think most of them would fall under one of the above.
There's a chance you could do your student teaching while getting paid by a school.
It would take a little bit of creativity, but I've seen it done.
Essentially, you need to find a school that would be willing to hire you as a teacher WITHOUT certification, so definitely second or third tier. The salary would be low, but better than the zip you typically get for student teaching. You'd be a proper teacher on the school's role, so you'd have your own classes, and would not have the safety net and guidance of an experienced teacher in the room with you. The school would have to agree to provide you with a student teaching supervisor, which in many states is just someone with a US education-related Masters, who would pop in now and again to observe you and file evaluation reports. After a term, you'd be done and have your certificate. What happens after that depends on what you agree in advance with the school. If you signed a full year's contract, you'd have to keep working for the rest of the year at the same wage. If you just signed for a term, you'd be free to move on or re-negotiate your package.
Is this a good idea? Depends on you and what the school is willing to be flexible about. You have classroom experience, so you might be confident and independent enough to convince a school to take you on this way. If you're tentative and will need lots of support for the first few months, this would be a very bad idea.
The school could see you as a bargain. You'd be almost certified, with experience (even if it's not completely relevant experience), and they'd be getting you for very cheap rates, what they'd typically pay someone off the street with no experience or certificate. That could work well, especially if they're willing to up your package as soon as the certificate is official. If they want to lock you in for more than a year at the low rate, bad plan.
Think about it carefully. I've seen it done, and it can work for the right candidate. Or it can be a disaster.
It would take a little bit of creativity, but I've seen it done.
Essentially, you need to find a school that would be willing to hire you as a teacher WITHOUT certification, so definitely second or third tier. The salary would be low, but better than the zip you typically get for student teaching. You'd be a proper teacher on the school's role, so you'd have your own classes, and would not have the safety net and guidance of an experienced teacher in the room with you. The school would have to agree to provide you with a student teaching supervisor, which in many states is just someone with a US education-related Masters, who would pop in now and again to observe you and file evaluation reports. After a term, you'd be done and have your certificate. What happens after that depends on what you agree in advance with the school. If you signed a full year's contract, you'd have to keep working for the rest of the year at the same wage. If you just signed for a term, you'd be free to move on or re-negotiate your package.
Is this a good idea? Depends on you and what the school is willing to be flexible about. You have classroom experience, so you might be confident and independent enough to convince a school to take you on this way. If you're tentative and will need lots of support for the first few months, this would be a very bad idea.
The school could see you as a bargain. You'd be almost certified, with experience (even if it's not completely relevant experience), and they'd be getting you for very cheap rates, what they'd typically pay someone off the street with no experience or certificate. That could work well, especially if they're willing to up your package as soon as the certificate is official. If they want to lock you in for more than a year at the low rate, bad plan.
Think about it carefully. I've seen it done, and it can work for the right candidate. Or it can be a disaster.
Clarification
I assumed that whatever internship or other field experience you did at an overseas school would have to be paid/compensated. Usually such positions are 2 year contracts (sometimes 1 year). I cant see a school paying relocation expenses for an internship for a single term.
Considering you have a family (and the expenses that come with that) a school isnt going to see you as a "bargain", they might see you as an investment however.
My reason for assuming you would do your internship/student teaching at an international school abroad, is you have a far better chance of teaching at an IB school, and if you can do that you can finish your certification, and not only have 2 years experience, but 2 years IB experience. You could then actually be marketable to a tier 1 school and skip the tier 2 schools.
Considering you have a family (and the expenses that come with that) a school isnt going to see you as a "bargain", they might see you as an investment however.
My reason for assuming you would do your internship/student teaching at an international school abroad, is you have a far better chance of teaching at an IB school, and if you can do that you can finish your certification, and not only have 2 years experience, but 2 years IB experience. You could then actually be marketable to a tier 1 school and skip the tier 2 schools.
In my experience, most schools won't pay you to be a student teacher, if the experience is set up the way it is back home, where you are working with a cooperative teacher and don't actually have classes of your own. There's no reason for them to pay for that - they don't need you, and they don't gain enough to make it worth their while.
I'm speaking of something quite different, convincing a school to hire you and give you actual classes of your own. How long the contract would be is between you and the school, but I have seen schools (lower tier) hire someone this way for just part of a school year. Tier One schools woudn't consider it. Then, if both parties are still interested after the student teaching is complete, a new contract can be negotiated.
Under this sort of arrangment, you wouldn't expect to get housing or relocation allowance. You'd be a local hire, so almost certainly strictly salary, no benefits. As I said before, the same package they'd pay someone off the street with no experience. So, yes, a financial bargain considering you'd be far better equipped than such a person. Also, as PG points out, a potential investment. If you're good, they'll get you early and cheap. If you're not good, they have no long-term commitment.
This is only a good financial deal for you in the sense that something (a small salary, no benefits, potential for a continuing job) is better than the nothing (no salary, no benefits, no potential) that comes with almost all student teaching positions. You'd still have to pay for your housing, your relocation, and relocation for your family if you have them come with you for the student teaching period. Another option would be to leave your family where they are established, until you complete student teaching and know for sure if you will continue in the same school.
Good luck, whatever you do.
I'm speaking of something quite different, convincing a school to hire you and give you actual classes of your own. How long the contract would be is between you and the school, but I have seen schools (lower tier) hire someone this way for just part of a school year. Tier One schools woudn't consider it. Then, if both parties are still interested after the student teaching is complete, a new contract can be negotiated.
Under this sort of arrangment, you wouldn't expect to get housing or relocation allowance. You'd be a local hire, so almost certainly strictly salary, no benefits. As I said before, the same package they'd pay someone off the street with no experience. So, yes, a financial bargain considering you'd be far better equipped than such a person. Also, as PG points out, a potential investment. If you're good, they'll get you early and cheap. If you're not good, they have no long-term commitment.
This is only a good financial deal for you in the sense that something (a small salary, no benefits, potential for a continuing job) is better than the nothing (no salary, no benefits, no potential) that comes with almost all student teaching positions. You'd still have to pay for your housing, your relocation, and relocation for your family if you have them come with you for the student teaching period. Another option would be to leave your family where they are established, until you complete student teaching and know for sure if you will continue in the same school.
Good luck, whatever you do.
Definitions
I think were just homogenizing our definitions:
Student teaching is typically a 1 term unpaid experience with a cooperative teacher. You dont have your own classroom, or students.
An Internship is a paid position of usually one year. You have your own classroom and students. An evaluator/mentor observes your teaching periodically.
We both agree that a school isnt going to pay for a student teacher over a single term. We also agree that if there is any value for a school its in an internship.
I have seen it done as a local hire, but have also seen it down as an overseas hire with a typical package, but in those cases it was a two year contract. I've seen it done as a local hire as well for both one and two year periods. I've never heard it done for a single term (not saying its impossible, just Ive never heard of it). Typically though the overseas contracted interns are young single people who dont have the issues of a family. I cant see an international school doing this for someone with a family on a full year or 2 year contract, and Ive never heard of a local hire internship for a term. Its still not a bargain to the school though why hire an intern as a local hire, when i can hire a local hire as a local hire, or even better a non-certified spouse. Since the teacher is likely to leave at the end of the contract for a better school anyway. Its still a third tier school after all. The only scenario where the school would realize the bargain is in something like math or science, where I really need someone with a specific hard to find skill set, and I have a vacancy I cant fill. In this case though, the OP is ESL and primary, which arent hard to fill, and dont really require an advance skill set.
Student teaching is typically a 1 term unpaid experience with a cooperative teacher. You dont have your own classroom, or students.
An Internship is a paid position of usually one year. You have your own classroom and students. An evaluator/mentor observes your teaching periodically.
We both agree that a school isnt going to pay for a student teacher over a single term. We also agree that if there is any value for a school its in an internship.
I have seen it done as a local hire, but have also seen it down as an overseas hire with a typical package, but in those cases it was a two year contract. I've seen it done as a local hire as well for both one and two year periods. I've never heard it done for a single term (not saying its impossible, just Ive never heard of it). Typically though the overseas contracted interns are young single people who dont have the issues of a family. I cant see an international school doing this for someone with a family on a full year or 2 year contract, and Ive never heard of a local hire internship for a term. Its still not a bargain to the school though why hire an intern as a local hire, when i can hire a local hire as a local hire, or even better a non-certified spouse. Since the teacher is likely to leave at the end of the contract for a better school anyway. Its still a third tier school after all. The only scenario where the school would realize the bargain is in something like math or science, where I really need someone with a specific hard to find skill set, and I have a vacancy I cant fill. In this case though, the OP is ESL and primary, which arent hard to fill, and dont really require an advance skill set.
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lightstays
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2011 9:07 am
- Location: Americas
I did my student teaching while working as an assistant teacher at a tier 1 international school. It was great because I had actually been working with the kids the entire year! I've never even worked at a school in the U.S.
You do need to check that the school you'd work at is accredited and the Uni I did my certification through also required that it be on the list of assisted schools from the U.S. State Dept. I have no idea if that would be every program, but you should definitely check with the University's policy if you are considering working at a 3rd tier while getting your certification because it may be that you can't do your student teaching there.
You do need to check that the school you'd work at is accredited and the Uni I did my certification through also required that it be on the list of assisted schools from the U.S. State Dept. I have no idea if that would be every program, but you should definitely check with the University's policy if you are considering working at a 3rd tier while getting your certification because it may be that you can't do your student teaching there.
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Risingfromashes
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:32 pm
- Location: United States
Thanks
Thank you guys so much for your encouraging replies!
I've spoken with the TeacherReady program in Florida and it seems like a good fit. It's faster, cheaper, and would allow me to start pursuing k-12 teaching experience next year instead of 3 years from now. I will miss the International Education component though.
I would begin in October (They have a July cohort but money is tight over the summer months) and finish in 9 months. Student teaching/observations are already built into the program so I would be certified with a professional certificate at the conclusion. It sounds like I would be able to pursue an internship after, depending on the timing.
Does one usually go through the large agencies for this? (ISS and Search) I know that my lack of elementary experience would severely limit my options.
Lightstays: Thanks! It was either that or Murphy's Law that described my current situation lol. :D
Psyguy: Thanks for taking the time to make the distinctions between positions and giving me a realistic view of the schools' needs. It really helps when I research!
Sid: Thanks for mapping out the student teaching option! I talked it over with my husband and we agreed that my student teaching should be local. Your information really put it into perspective.
Seashell: Wow, really?! Sounds like a once in a lifetime experience. If you don't mind me asking, was the assistant teacher experience separate from student teaching or was it one paid position?
I've spoken with the TeacherReady program in Florida and it seems like a good fit. It's faster, cheaper, and would allow me to start pursuing k-12 teaching experience next year instead of 3 years from now. I will miss the International Education component though.
I would begin in October (They have a July cohort but money is tight over the summer months) and finish in 9 months. Student teaching/observations are already built into the program so I would be certified with a professional certificate at the conclusion. It sounds like I would be able to pursue an internship after, depending on the timing.
Does one usually go through the large agencies for this? (ISS and Search) I know that my lack of elementary experience would severely limit my options.
Lightstays: Thanks! It was either that or Murphy's Law that described my current situation lol. :D
Psyguy: Thanks for taking the time to make the distinctions between positions and giving me a realistic view of the schools' needs. It really helps when I research!
Sid: Thanks for mapping out the student teaching option! I talked it over with my husband and we agreed that my student teaching should be local. Your information really put it into perspective.
Seashell: Wow, really?! Sounds like a once in a lifetime experience. If you don't mind me asking, was the assistant teacher experience separate from student teaching or was it one paid position?
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Risingfromashes
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:32 pm
- Location: United States
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chocolatefrog
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:40 am
- Location: Asia
Just a thought... had you considered teaching at University while doing your PGCE or GradDipEd, and living overseas? There are dozens of American, Australian and British Universities that have 'International' campuses, who are often looking for good teachers in their classrooms, especially in ESL. Perhaps, if you know where you would like to go, you could get a job in a Uni there, and make some connections with the schools in the city directly? That way, when you are perhaps half way through your degree, you could apply for jobs at the school, and their personal knowledge of you could get you across the line? Worth considering, as sometimes the most obvious route is not the best one.
I also mention GradDipEd from Australia because Australian universities offer such qualifications which are internationally recognised and, even for international students, the course fees are considerably cheaper than the UK. Worth a look.
Good luck!
I also mention GradDipEd from Australia because Australian universities offer such qualifications which are internationally recognised and, even for international students, the course fees are considerably cheaper than the UK. Worth a look.
Good luck!