I got my credential two years ago and found that I wasted a lot of time and money. Schools are laying off right now, not hiring. If you are passionate about teaching, I agree with what someone else said about persuing Early Childhood Education (preschool or in-home daycare). Maybe in a few years things will pick up, but the path to the teaching career at this time will lead to nothing but disappointment right now :( Sorry to be such a downer.
Nahes Mom E
I am not a teacher but there are programs where you can become a teacher on line. They take about two years for each degree. Check into them online and the ones I would personally recommend are Western University online (WIU), University of Phoenix (UOP), or Grand Canyon University (GCU). I have personal experience with these and enjoyed every minute of these classes I took. I am currently working on my Masters through GCU.
I simply clicked on your name and saw that you are located in Hawaii? You need to see how the teaching market is there. I am a second grade teacher. I would rather be a stay at home mom but I love my job. Good luck!
For 20 years, in California and internationally - in Japan, Kuwait, France and Spain. Sometimes I loved it - but 'sometimes' in 20 years is not good enough. I tallied it up once - I was expected as a third grade teacher, to teach 12 subjects in 3 languages (English, Spanish, Armenian) this was when I was teaching public school in Pasadena, California. The ones who seemed to enjoy teaching the most were the teachers who had been teaching the same grade for more than 5 years - they knew their topic and were able to teach it and expand on it - they were prepared months in advance.
No, next time around, I don't want a career, I want a job and I think being a TA would be a lot more fun and easier than being a teacher!
Teaching is a lot more than meets the eye. Teachers hold little power. Their grading is scrutinized. Parents think their children are saints…
One mama said do not go into it for June, July, August. I disagree. Every job we take we first investigate the perks.
Yes, I am located in Hawai’i. We are doing furloughs, but no lay offs…yet. I figure at the end of my schooling, about 5-6 years, things will hopefully have changed. My husband has a good enough job to cover our family, so if i don’t get a job as a teacher right away, we do have the time. I am actually enrolling in the Univ of Phoenix online. My classes start in January '10 and I am soo excited to be going back to school. I’d like to be a TA while going to school also. Thanks for all the responses =)