Advice and info seeking-

[wendybeth]

In Washington, we have what's known as the WASL test, and it's killing our schools. Right now, it's only administered in a few grades, but eventually it will be in every grade. The grades it is being used in now are notorious for spending virtually the entire school year to teach the subjects and concept of this test, which is math as a language and essay driven. Actually, most teachers say it really tests you on your ability to follow directions more than anything. At any rate, things are a mess here and only getting worse. Kindergarten teachers are not exempt from the stress, as they are responsible for preparing their kids for the first grade testing. I'm not sure how things are in Colorado, but the NCLB Act is having similar repercussions throughout the country. Many states are choosing to forego funding or filing suit against the Feds, so perhaps this may be a moot point by the time you graduate.

Having said that, I always thought that were I to teach, it would have to be Kindergarten or college. In kindergarten, the kids are largely excited to be there, and in college they have to assume more personal responsibility, so less babysitting on your part.

[lizziebith]

Yes, and it's funny that I was able to teach at a University with NO TRAINING whatsoever -- just my MA! Although, I'll admit that was a pretty scary experience at first...

[Tref]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

I have years of school left- *sigh* can you tell me what that is?

The C-Best will allow you to substitute teach, whilst you go to school (in theory.)

http://www.cbest.for nephythys.com/

[Moonliner]

I don't know what (if any) your employment plans are while working on your teaching credentials but I have one idea that might be worth looking into. At least in this area, test paranoia among the parents is causing a dramatic upswing in the number of students seeking private tutoring. A number of new centers have opened up and the older centers are growing. You could look into a position with a place like Sylvan Learning Centers

[Nephythys]

Maybe I should move to Cali-

Link

[Not Afraid]

You're going to have to stop calling it Cali if you do that.


Although Nirvanaman gets away with it.

[lizziebith]

Oh dear! Regarding that article, and as someone who worked professionally getting California teachers credentialled, I just have to tell you: it's hooey! The so-called "teacher shortages" have NEVER existed. I've personally addressed this matter with district recruiters who have told me these "alarms" are released periodically to increase the QUALITY of the prospective-hire pool. Not necessarily a bad thing of course, but markedly different from a de facto shortage. When I left the field, teachers were leaving the profession having never taught a single paid day. Of course in some exceptionally rural areas you could still get in pretty easily -- in fact rural areas are the only ones still issuing emergency credentials, but this is the last year for that in California.

[Name]

yes, you must pronounce it Colleeforneeah to honor the governator (Or poke fun at him, take your pick).

[Matterhorn Fan]

Originally Posted by lizziebith

Yes, and it's funny that I was able to teach at a University with NO TRAINING whatsoever -- just my MA! Although, I'll admit that was a pretty scary experience at first...

Grad students can be TA's, which at least in English, means they're teaching with only a BA. Some community colleges hire people with only BA's.

Nephythys, be sure that teaching is what you really want to do. It doesn't pay much and it's a thankless job. You have to really, really, really love what you're doing. And with NCLB and other standardized tests, I'm suprised that anyone has the patience to teach K-12. Better teachers are badly needed, though.