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Operation: Career Change
Well girls, I have a HUGE confession to make. I'm switching careers!! Mind you, I'm in the incredibly early stages, but I've finally made the first step in becoming a....
::drum roll please::
TEACHER!! AHHHH!!!
I'm really excited. I had always had the thought of becoming a teacher in the back of my mind, but I don't know why I decided to never go through with it. I've already signed up for the MTELs (To those non-Massachusetts peeps, its the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure and you have to pass in order to become licensed to be a teacher). I'm taking the first test on Sept 25th. I've also found a program that I'm going to be applying to as well, and if I get in it would be fantastic! I would be earning my MA in Education and would almost be guaranteed a job. It's a hard program to get into so I'm going to try my absolute hardest to do it! I haven't told ANYONE except for my DH and my MIL (and DH doesn't even know I told her yet, haha, she dragged it out of me) but I'm just really happy that I've finally decided on what I really want to do with my life. Insurance sucks!!!
And I KNOW some of my April Nesties are teachers, so spill it! Any words of wisdom would be HIGHLY appreciated
Re: Operation: Career Change
Shmel's Blog
Good luck! If it settles down here (they are laying off a lot of teachers year right now), I might become a teacher too.
Oh! my sister also said to keep something in your desk (like a stress ball) that you can go get whenever a student is working your nerves...
That is so wonderful that you found your passion and are going after it! So many people are afraid to change careers, but me spend so many hours/years working that it's important to do what makes you happy.
I'm not a teacher, but my sister switched careers from journalism to teaching after she had her third kid. She got her MA in education a few years ago. Unfortunately she got diagnosed with breast cancer not long after she got her MA and then when she was done with the treatment, finding a teaching position in NJ was a nightmare (thanks Governor Christie) so she doesn't have a permanent position yet. But she has had a series of long-term sub assignments, and loves teaching!!
One thing that she's doing to help her job prospects is taking additional classes to get certified in special ed. Supposedly this gives you a leg up, at least in our area.
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Just want to give you a big "Woo Hoo!" on your career change, and the best of wishes :-) I think teaching is one of the noblest professions there is, and we have a serious shortage...so good luck, and if you bring even a fraction of the optimism and energy to your class room that we have come to see on the knot/nest, I just know you'll be one of the great ones :-)
BTW - my sister is also a teacher, has been for about 20 years now...and wouldn't do anything else if given a chance! Yay for you, Mandah!!
I really want to teach elementary school. I've always been good at math, and I briefly thought about teaching middle school math, but I think I really like elementary school the most.
Actually, what is REALLY awesome is the program that I am applying to, once you complete the program, you get your regular teaching license PLUS special education license. Since I live in Boston, the program is specifically designed for the Boston Public School system and they stress science and math, plus special education, and ESL. But it's really awesome that the program gives you both licenses!
I'm so bored right now that I'm actually studying for the MTELs right now! hah, so far so good!
Tales From a Kitchen Misfit
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Awesome!!!
Well, I am a teacher (high school English) and my best advice for the classroom is there are many days where you wonder why you do what you do, but the days where a kid tells you they want to be just like you or they tell you how much they love your class, it becomes worth it in those few moments each year.
Elementary is very different than high school, you will have more kids that enjoy school than I do!
Please feel free to ask me questions anytime! I really love what I do, but there are days where I am ready to jump (I tell the kids too).
Good Luck, Amanda!!
Danielle
Duuuuude! that's what i do!
i took the MTEL's in Math (k-12) and Science (5-8) after obtaining a degree in Meteorology... oh and the general reading/comprehension one should be a piece of cake for you cuz you seem pretty SMAT... the subject matter tests are harder so concentrate on studying for them.
let me know if you need any help with the tests tho i'm a middle schooler.
you have to apply for a license after the test and you get five years to get a masters in a subject area (just finished mine in Instructional Technology last May - really has it been that long, holy crap) and then five more years to get a professional license. it is kinda a pain but you cannot beat teaching hours!
email me or gchat if you have any questions or need any advice!
wooooooo good luck!!!
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Congrats on figuring out your new career path! That's wonderful and totally agree we need more teachers and esp great people like you! I had wondered since you did that camp sunshine you seemed to really love the kids, so it sounds perfect for you!
My dad was a teacher for 12 yrs and that was his "dream job". He only left it because he was teaching for a private school (the one I went to) and the principal was a moron and wouldn't give him a little more $ and help with the insurance. You know, just to make help make it easier for his wife and 3 kids he had to support; he went to the Air force full time after that. Anyway :-) he's retired now (early retirement from the AF) and he loves to sub when he gets the chance. My mom was also a teacher for the early part of her career life and really enjoyed it. I think you will too. Best of luck in getting your process started and we'll totally be here to support you!
April 2010 Siggy Challenge: Next Vacation Destination