Teaching as a second career

[athompson]

I've been thinking a lot lately about teaching. I'm currently staying home with my three children, but in three years they will all be in school.
I have a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science, but neither of them are in education. I know requirements are different in each state, but where do I need to begin? I'd like to find the most cost effective way to become certified to teach in my state. I'm in Illinois. Thank you in advance

[drako]

Go to your state's department of education website. You should be able to find information there. You may need to take classes in order to get your certification.

[larig]

Originally Posted by athompson

I've been thinking a lot lately about teaching. I'm currently staying home with my three children, but in three years they will all be in school.
I have a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science, but neither of them are in education. I know requirements are different in each state, but where do I need to begin? I'd like to find the most cost effective way to become certified to teach in my state. I'm in Illinois. Thank you in advance

I know lots about IL certification, but my recommendations will depend on where you live. I taught there for 10 years (and my parents taught too). What's the closest university/college to you? (PM me if you don't want to respond via posting in public). I'd be happy to talk you through the process.

[hellokitty]

Before looking into certification/degrees, I would look at the hiring availability. In our area, it is really difficult to get a teaching job. It's not uncommon to have to sub for many yrs before getting your foot in the door for a teaching position. I had kind of thought about this as well, but knowing how bad the economy is in our area, including for teachers looking for a job, I decided it wasn't worth it. Just something to think about.

[crl]

Originally Posted by hellokitty

Before looking into certification/degrees, I would look at the hiring availability. In our area, it is really difficult to get a teaching job. It's not uncommon to have to sub for many yrs before getting your foot in the door for a teaching position. I had kind of thought about this as well, but knowing how bad the economy is in our area, including for teachers looking for a job, I decided it wasn't worth it. Just something to think about.

I agree with this. My SIL received her certification last December. She finally found two part time jobs, which don't add up to full time in pay or benefits, in a town a thirty minute drive away. She is certified for middle and high school in multiple subjects, including science.

Catherine

[Twin Mom]

One of my friends was going to teach as a 2nd career but given the layoffs in the school system in the area and the lack of new teaching jobs it was going to be too difficult to get a position so she decided against it.

Originally Posted by hellokitty

Before looking into certification/degrees, I would look at the hiring availability. In our area, it is really difficult to get a teaching job. It's not uncommon to have to sub for many yrs before getting your foot in the door for a teaching position. I had kind of thought about this as well, but knowing how bad the economy is in our area, including for teachers looking for a job, I decided it wasn't worth it. Just something to think about.

[GvilleGirl]

I did this in the Chicago Area. I agree with looking at demand. I did elementary and there where more than 300 people interviewing per spot and that was before the recession. A lot of people were aiding, and some districts would pay for classes. I had to aid 2 yrs before getting on full time. Aiding was great in my district. I didn't have to work after school was over, no planning, no meetings, and no parent issues. Subbing is also a great way to get known at districts and see if you really like it.

Before I decided to go back I had one of the schools do a transcript review so I knew what pre-reqs I was missing. Then I was able to take some classes at the community college level that I didn't have. A lot of things will depend on what you want to teach.

[ZeeBaby]

SIL is a teacher and I would have to agree with a lot of it being what you want to teach. Depending on what you have your MA in, it might be easier for someone with a science background. She really wanted to teach MS general studies, but there was more of a demand for special education when she started 10 years ago. Now she loves spec ed and is very happy she went that route.

[khm]

I agree to look at the area, our area isn't so dire, actually. Also, figure out what YOU want / need. Do you need full-time employment?

A family member did subbing for two years before going full time. At the time, she was fresh out of college and loved it! She didn't need the benefits (was on her parent's plan) and she was able to stay very busy subbing. She worked nearly everyday and could just deny assignments when she wanted the day off. She worked day-to-day or had longer coverage if it was an illness or new baby or vacation. She worked for a few large school systems and it was an automated phone system that called her in. During that time, she sussed out which school district she preferred, then which individual elementary. She also kind of changed her tune on which age group suited her best. She ended up going full-time in pretty much the perfect position for her. She has a strong techie background and gets to do a lot of teacher training, and is now getting her masters in admin.

A neighbor was a former teacher and subbed at our school for the last 3 years (much smaller school system than above). She specified that she only wanted to sub at X building. It worked out well for her. She's now full-time there now that her kids are older, etc.

Another former teacher (different state) was an aide at our school. She actually liked it a lot too. It was low pay and low "esteem" after being a teacher elsewhere, but really, she enjoyed the kids without the other "teacher specific hassles".

[Simon]

Dh just went through this and IME you might start with a transcript review at a few different institutions. We considered a lot of different programs because we didn't want Dh to be in school for very long. We found a way for him to go from BA to certified teacher in about 15 months though I must say it took a lot of looking at requirements on my part, this wasn't an advertised fast track program IYKWIM. Dh started with a summer session and then went one school year, so one semester of classes and then onefor his student teaching. He almost made it (and could have) but has one class left he is finishing by correspondence.

One important thing to know is whether your state overproduces teachers. Some do, like Wisconsin, Michigan and I think Pennsylvania (probably some more) and those teachers may need to go out of state for jobs. I don't know about IL.

FWIW, Dh absolutely loves teaching (after a career in sales and his industry). He did get a job but we had to move for it. We'll continue looking as he builds some experience or, since he loves his school, just stay for awhile even though it isn't an ideal location.

You might also consider non-teaching school year positions like counseling, speech therapist, nurse, etc.