I am considering becoming a teacher...

FearTheBeard

but do not even know where to start. One of my best friends was a teacher so I am going to talk to him this weekend.

Are any of you teachers, specifically in California? Is it hard to get a job right now? Where can I go to get questions answered? Any advice would be appreciated.

Sambo Baggins

i feel bad for you. low pay, bad raises, lots of red tape. i went down the road to be teacher... made it to 90 semester hours before i became an accountant.

Nothingman54

Sambo Baggins wrote:

i feel bad for you. low pay, bad raises, lots of red tape. i went down the road to be teacher... made it to 90 semester hours before i became an accountant.

100% correct.

FearTheBeard

Sambo Baggins wrote:

i feel bad for you. low pay, bad raises, lots of red tape. i went down the road to be teacher... made it to 90 semester hours before i became an accountant.

lol, I am considering it. I have been in sales for 10 years and just tried a stint in law enforcement, it didn't work out. Looking for something new to do...

Nothingman54

I'm either going to nursing school or accounting.???

Sambo Baggins

ucsbflipflop wrote:

Sambo Baggins wrote:

i feel bad for you. low pay, bad raises, lots of red tape. i went down the road to be teacher... made it to 90 semester hours before i became an accountant.

lol, I am considering it. I have been in sales for 10 years and just tried a stint in law enforcement, it didn't work out. Looking for something new to do...

bless you if you do teaching. i am sure it is comendable and fufilling profession but it has its drawbacks. anything related to technology, healthcare, or $ is much better pay and benefits.

JzP

stay away from toddlers they are bad news

marcos

ucsbflipflop wrote:

but do not even know where to start. One of my best friends was a teacher so I am going to talk to him this weekend.

Are any of you teachers, specifically in California? Is it hard to get a job right now? Where can I go to get questions answered? Any advice would be appreciated.

Good hours and vacation schedule but bad everthing else!

pjfan31

I'm studying teaching. Got my last exam for the year today. hard work studying. But children are great. They keep you going most of the time.

Great holidays, but I gotta fly, get to my exam starts in just under 2 hrs and I gotta get through peek hour..

Peace out....

InsideMan

Become a professor.

Kilgore_Trout

you're all a bunch of whiney lil bitches if you think teaching is that bad
if you got the right mindset and are good with people then go into it

40K right out of school with pretty good benefits is nothing to sneeze at... some room to grow too

not to mention, for every shitty moment there is something equally redeeming... and thats coming from a cynic like me

don't go into it if you're trying to relive your glory days or power trip... i know plenty of those types

I just read a list somewhere of the top 15 cities looking for teachers... i think there were 2 in CA, a couple in FL, and most in TX

GOOD LUCK

tinkerbell

I used to want to be a teacher. Since having kids of my own I have realised that I don't really like children that much! :? Love my own just not other peoples.

catefrances

tinkerbell wrote:

I used to want to be a teacher. Since having kids of my own I have realised that I don't really like children that much! :? Love my own just not other peoples.

yeah any kid you can hand back is a good kid.


p.s. i love my children... seriously.

maj4e

has ups & downs
wifey makes about 50g so pay isn't that bad

Lizard

My husband teaches high school. Assuming you have a college degree, take the CBEST test and this will allow you to substitute in most districts--see if you like teaching. Be sure to sub at the level you want to teach in.

FearTheBeard

Thanks for the info/advice people! I am still considering...

Hugh Freaking Dillon

too many people go into it for the summers off. BIG mistake if you aren't passionate about it. But those that are, love it. It's a very rewarding profession (assuming you have a good superintendent and principle). The pay for a teacher up here in Canada is nearly the same as a freaking lawyer if you keep up your studies.

merkinball

Lizard wrote:

My husband teaches high school. Assuming you have a college degree, take the CBEST test and this will allow you to substitute in most districts--see if you like teaching. Be sure to sub at the level you want to teach in.

Do that. My wife is a teacher in San Diego, been teaching for 10+ years. It's tough to get a full time job right now, lots of layoffs due to budget constraints. But you can start out subbing, and get a rep at a given school if you do good work. If you can't get a contract, you may be able to get a long term sub position (i.e., someone goes on maternity leave and they need a sub for a few months).

That's pretty much how she started out for the first year, lots of subbing until she got a contract. Also, be prepared to be at a tough school the first few years, until you can get some seniority.

milarso

merkinball wrote:

Do that. My wife is a teacher in San Diego, been teaching for 10+ years. It's tough to get a full time job right now, lots of layoffs due to budget constraints.

My sister teaches at a school near Sacramento. She has been in the game for a bit, so she's been dodging the layoffs, however, where do all those students go when the other teachers are laid off? You guessed it, to the few remaining teachers.
She teaches high school and has one class with 47 students in it.

merkinball

milarso wrote:

My sister teaches at a school near Sacramento. She has been in the game for a bit, so she's been dodging the layoffs, however, where do all those students go when the other teachers are laid off? You guessed it, to the few remaining teachers.
She teaches high school and has one class with 47 students in it.

Yikes. Elementary is lucky, I guess. Only 30-35 kids to a class. :roll:

Cradles Broken Glass

I'm working on becoming a teacher right now and I currently sub. There are alternative routes in some states. My state offers a non-tradition license (I'm not sure if this is available in every state). Essentially, if you have any bachelor's degree and meet the minimal GPA requirements you can get enrolled in this program and teach while you go to school. I'm not sure if I'm going to do that or get my MAT, which will give me my teacher's license while I earn my masters. The former is a quicker route, but depending on what subject area you want to teach or grades, you may have to take a couple of classes before you can enroll in the program. I have a son in first grade and live in an area where my PR/Journalism degree is essentially useless. I love subbing and look forward to a steady job where I can keep the same hours at my son, an added bonus is I'm really trying to get a job at his school. The pay could be a lot better, but I have to say that between the decent hours, fairly good benefits, and great vacation time, I don't think I will have much to complain about if I'm lucky enough to get a job. I would love some advice from anyone who might be familiar with the non-traditional route vs. the master program, I really can't make up my mind on which would be best.