Teaching??

[shalini sharma]

Hello All,
I am a computer science graduate with no job right now( trying for entry level from past six months). I am planning to go for teaching in public schools. I am good in Math and Computer Sciences. Any suggestions how the market is for teachers especially in Math and computer science. I am located in DC metro area.
Thanks
Jyothi

[Mark Herschberg]

I think there are shortages in those fields, throughout the country (if you don't find any in DC, try Boston, I know we're short). I know many other people who have done this. Too bad, teacher salaries aren't a totally free market.
--Mark
PS Also look into proviate schools, they pay much better.

[Derek Grey]

hi there,
I am sailing in the same boat too (entry level MSCS unemployed for 6+ months). To teach in public schools its a REQUIREMENT to have a teachers certification (varies from state to state) in that particular subject (certifications vary for math & CS) so unless you have both certifications you cannot teach both math & CS.
Every state has a "State Board of Educators" or maybe a "Education Agency" website. Check for DC/Boston and you'll get more info from it.
Here in Texas it takes 6 courses and two semesters of internship (excluding deficiency coursework)to get a teaching certificate for almost any subject.
-ST

[John Coxey]

Jyothi kidambhi:
You may be able to get an "emergency certification".
This means you can teach while working on your certification.
----
Problem with teaching. Very pathetic pay. In Denver, the starting salary is US$30K/yr. Plus you have to pay for your education.
Also, you are dealing with inner city kids at a lot of these places.
----
I would look into it, but expect low pay.
John Coxey
([e-mail])

[Marc Peabody]

$30k is low pay??? That ain't bad. Compared to how overvalued many programmers were a couple years ago, sure it looks pathetic. But c'mon!
Minimum wage is about $11k if it's fulltime. If you have many years of experience and a family to support, maybe the $30k would seem like an insult.
At entry-level (like myself), $30k is a great opportunity in my opinion.

[Vitor Belfort]

Yeah 30k is defenetly good... Entry level jobs aren't supposed to be paying all that much

[Frank Carver]

I know I'm in England rather than the USA, but I've found a way to get round the "must be qualified" problem.
My local college is so short of teachers in some crucial areas (including computers and information technology) that they were willing to take me on as a part-time lecturer, pay for and provide all my training to get quelified as a teacher, and allow me to do other work when I'm not actually teaching.
So I teach groups of 16-19-year-olds about computer topics for 8 hours a week, attend teaching classes for 4 hours a week, spend a lot of time travelling between home, college and customer sites, and fill the rest of my waking hours with contract software development work to feed my family. Currently the teaching provides about half the income we need to live on, but when I do get some paid software work, it quickly adds up.
My "cunning plan" is to rack up a series of teaching qualifications and a year or so of solid experience, then try and tap the lucrative corporate training market.

[shalini sharma]

Hello All,
I contacted the state department of Education and they told me that I have to take Praxis I and II exam to apply for teaching. I did not know that I have to take classes again. I have Bachelors in Computer Engg ( From India) and Masters (3.7/4.0 GPA ) in Computer Science.
Right now,30K is okay, if they provide benefits and tuition assistance for further education.
Also, my native Language is not English, so will that affect my position in teaching industry.
Thanks all,
Jyothi

[Jason Menard]

I believe both Baltimore City and DC have programs available to encourage uncertified degreed people to become teachers. Your best bet is to contact the boards of education for those two school districts.
From the Baltimore City site:

Q. I do not have a degree in education. Does BCPSS consider applicants with other degrees?
A. Although the BCPSS seeks candidates with education degrees, it recognizes that individuals with content area degrees (Math, Science, English, History, Foreign Languages etc.) who desire to teach should be considered and given an opportunity. In collaboration with the BCPSS, two alternative certification programs allow non-education majors to teach while working towards their certification. These programs are the Baltimore City Teaching Residency and Project Site Support. For additional information on these programs go to www.baltimorecityteachingresidency.org and www.SITESUPPORT.org.

The Baltimore City Teaching Residency program currently has an application deadline date of 3/14/03.
HTH

[jyothi sunke]

Hi,
Even I am interested in teaching. But what I heard is, schools also doesn't sponsor (I am on H4 visa). So, Am I eligible for teaching?? Means, after passing Praxis I & Praxis II tests... when applying to schools, will there be any chance that I may get rejected?? I have Master's degree in Industrial Engineering (from India) & 8 months experience as software programmer & I am SCJP & SCJD...
Please suggest me..
One more question is, Can we take teaching tests(Praxis I & II) by ourselves...without doing any residency like (Baltimore City Teaching Residency)??
Are there any schools which can do sponsor for me..so that I can teach??
Thanks a lot!!!
Best Regards,

[shalini sharma]

Jyothi,
I dont know where you are located but do contact the local county schools. Most of the schools are in need of Math and computer science teachers. They do offer resident teacher program where you have to take some summer courses/class with the public school. After you finish it, they will take you on probation. But the requirement is you should be recent gradaute.
I contacted the local public schools system here ( Howard county, MD) and they are holding a job fair. So planning to attend it and see where things go.
Good luck

[Thomas Paul]

Don't forget that the benefits of being a teacher are excellent. You get a huge number of days off including the entire summer. Plus they have real pensions. And once you have a few years in it is virtually impossible to be right sized out of a job.