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Any MA teachers out there?
Hi,
I dont post on this board very often but I was hoping to find anyone who is a MA early childhood teacher with some insight on how to go about getting into that field?
I have my BS in Journalism & Sociology but I only have one early childhood ed class under by belt. I was thinking of switching majors back in college but backed out due to fear of low pay... however working in the business world I am MISERABLE and my pay isnt much higher than an entry level teacher anyway.
I am looking for some prep classes for the MTELS as I am very rusty since I graduated in 2004 as well as some budget friendly courses I can start taking on nights and weekends on or near the south shore.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have been reading online but the information is overwhelming.
TIA!
Re: Any MA teachers out there?
Okay, this might get lengthy, but here goes. There are 3 types of licenses in MA: Preliminary, Initial and Professional. You obtain them in order, so the first you would receive is the Preliminary license. To obtain that license you will need a bachelors degree (in any subject I believe) and to have taken and passed the 3 required MTELs (Communication&Literacy, Early Childhood Ed subject test, and Foundations of Reading test).
To advance to the Initial license you will need to complete a Post-Baccalaureate Early Childhood program. This includes student teaching.
Lastly, to obtain the Professional license you need to have completed a Masters program in an education related field.
The first and last tests are the toughest. The second (subject) test is mostly common sense and developmental questions. I recommend getting study guide books for the first and the last tests. As far as budget friendly courses, you probably won't find any as Post-Bacc classes are usually considered graduate classes and cost a pretty penny. I am currently finishing my MA at UMass and it is $800 per class. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me!
I may be wrong, but in order to be a pre-school teacher I think you may just need 12 credits of early childhood classes. I think that is what you need to work for Headstart. I could be wrong though.
I never had a preliminary license, but I obtained my initial license through my MAT program at Simmons College (for secondary education). I know there are different ways to become a teacher. I think one of my old neighbors only had a BS in chemistry and was a chemistry teacher for a year until he decided to give up teaching. He probably had a preliminary license, which, if that's what you have, you do eventually have to get it upgraded.
I might call the MA DOE and ask them more specific questions. The requirements to teach always confuse me because they are different at every level and there are all different ways to go about becoming a teacher. I know people whose programs were way different than mine.
Hi Thank you! I would PM but I have no clue how to use this as I am pretty new to the nest.
okay so if I have my BS, I can take the 3 MTEL tests and once passed I need a post bacc program.
Do you know of any classes/courses offered that are for MTEL prep? Sort of like the SAT prep courses we took in High School? I am looking for something just to refresh my brain before taking/applying for the tests.
MA @ umass.. is this a master of arts in early ed? Do you like the program? How long is it and do they offer night/weekends? Sorry to be so long winded.. thank you for all your help!
What the other poster is referring to is working at a daycare center type place, that you need licensing for through the DEE (Dept of Early Education, that is easier to obtain).
I am actually an Elementary Ed teacher, so I am in the El Ed program at UMass. I liked the post-bacc program there because those credits count toward my masters program.
So, my main question is, are you looking to teach preschool or are you looking to teach Pre-K through grade 2?
My friend just took the MTELs. She did not study at all or prep and took it and decided to just study what she needed to do after getting her results. However, since the test is so expensive, I don't recommend doing that. :-)
Here is a list of the MTEL prep courses in MA:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/mtel/faq/tprep_lst.html
I am not a teacher (going into Social Work, myself) but my friend is getting her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Nazarene College. She is physically taking the classes though at Massasoit Community College and they're at night so it's good for working individuals. (I assume you are still working in the business field.)
The other thing to know (that I learned from here) is that if you satisfy the basic requirements in order to teach in MA and work for a public school, they will eventually pay for your master's degree.
Oh, and I am minoring in Sociology right now. It is so interesting! Did you minor or did you double major?
Good luck!
Thank you!!
I am looking to teach early ed- Grades 1-4. I am going to shadow a few teachers in different grades for a day or two just to get a feel for the enviroment before officially taking the plunge. I am very nervous about making the change and do not want to talk about it with people I know in case I get scared and back out..
I will look into Umass and Eastern Nazerene..
Question- The eastern nazarene program through Massasoit, do you know any more about that? Is it EZ tuition but taught locally at the canton/brockton massasoit campus?
I double majored in Sociology. It was a partnership progam the Journalism school had so I was able to double rather then minor. It was very interesting and that was more the reason I went into it rather then for a career, it just so happened all my electives were leaning towards that area. The only part I really disliked was research methods and stats!
I just want to say thanks again- that link you posted brought me to a course list and I was able to sign up for a mtel comm & lit seminar prior to the test this spring and it is only $50 because I am alumni!
Thanks again!
http://www.enc.edu/news/2009/adult_studies_satellities.htm
I am not 100% sure (so don't quote me) but I am 99% sure that it is ENC tuition but it's just being offered for convenience at Massasoit. If the program was only at ENC, my friend wouldn't be doing it (but of course, we're on the south shore and so not close to the city - I'm not sure where you are). It is an ENC degree (versus a Massasoit one) and I know my friend definitely does NOT pay MCC tuition. She pays more but I am not sure if she gets some kind of break for not taking it there. Oh, and the books are included in her tuition.
I am glad that you were able to sign up for the MTEL course. Good luck it. :-) $50 - that rocks! I remember from the SATs, that the prep courses were hundreds of dollars.
Ugh, research and stats - I took that in Psychology and may have to take it within Sociology in the fall. I am getting my BA from Simmons, in Boston.
It would require some research on your part, but as a Boston Public Schools teacher with a Master's I got independently, I am really frustrated with myself that I didn't check out the MA program Boston has.
The Boston Teacher Residency Program offers YOU a stipend, a master's degree in education from UMass Boston, tuition remission, and you get your initial license. In turn you give them a 3 year commitment to teaching in Boston Public Schools.
Now that I am loan hell FOREVER for going through another Uni to get my master's degree I am kicking myself!
http://www.bostonteacherresidency.org/
Good luck with whatever you decide!
I took my tests right out of college, I grew up in MA but went to school in NY, so I couldn't get to any prep classes, nor did I have to deal with taking the tests during college like a lot of the state colleges here make you before continuing in some classes. Anyhow my point is that I used the prep books to prepare, and I just borrowed them from the library, cause I was really skint at the time.
Also as a PSA for the teachers out there, if you work in a Title 1 school for 5 years, you'll be eligible for loan forgiveness. I'm finishing up my 5th year at one and just finished my masters so it's a super score. GL.