Looking to teach?

Question

I have a degree in General Studies, and am looking to teach. I can't afford to do a student teaching internship unless I get paid. Any advice?

Answer 1

Don't!

Take it from one who has been directing new teachers for nearly forty years! Unless you have had adequate preparation and an internship, you shouldn't subject yourself on the students, and you shouldn't subject yourself to the pain.

Schools SHOULD pay interns, but they don't.

And the problem is that most schools that hire under-prepared teachers or teachers from alternative certification programs are often schools that have a teacher shortage. And they have a teacher shortage for a reason; e.g., poor working conditions, inadequate support, recalcitrant students, lack of supplies, and the like. Furthermore, as unfortunate and unwise as it is, under-prepared new teachers are very often given the most demanding, least attractive assignments: low-track classes, reluctant learners, basic required subjects, poor facilities and materials. People who have been good students may learn how to teach good students fairly quickly. Not so with alienated students with poor learning backgrounds. This takes expertise, patience, guidance, and -- PRACTICE.

In medicine, if I simply have a head cold I may be willing to go to resident or intern or new doctor. If I have what may be terminal cancer, I want the best in the field. But in American public schools, usually the students who have the least problem learning get the most experienced experts. Honors classes get honors teachers! And those in danger of becoming permanent non-learners, who face a lifetime poorly educated, will have the least prepared, least competent, least experienced teachers. Go figure!

So the least prepared teachers get the most difficult assignments. The turnover rate is ferocious, many teachers not making it through their first year on the job. This is one of the factors involved when you read about the teacher dropout rate in the first three to five years of teaching.

The only exceptions to what I've said may be those who are prepared to undertake advanced math and science classes. The teacher shortage in those areas may be so great that there are even some good positions still vacant.

And some schools are so desperate for more male and/or minority teachers that they may take a chance on someone poorly prepared. But, even then, beware.

If you decide to pursue this goal, before you sign a contract, be sure you know what your assignment will be, how you will be supported, and who your colleagues will be and how encouraging and helpful they are. You can't go it alone!

For yourself, and especially for your students, give this careful thought.

And encourage your legislators and Congress to give careful thought to the recruitment and preparation of "highly qualified" candidates for teaching, including paid internships! And to richly rewarding the most excellent teachers who undertake the most demanding positions!

Answer 2

This is gonna be hard....you will not be able to find a program that pays you to do your internship. With the NCLB you must be highly qualified to teach certain subjects, and they are already starting to crack down on this. Some religious schools may hire you, but beware.....if you don't have a teaching degree nor a student teaching experience, you are looking at being very overwhelmed for a long time. I would get a loan, do the internship, and then go for it. You might regret not having the experience.

Answer 3

I can't tell if you have your certificate or not. It depends on your state, but things are tough out there since No Child Left Behind and teachers needing to be 'highly qualified'.

There's private school teaching, which typically does not pay what public schools do. Or tutoring part time while you work full time. Or a part-time school teaching job while you work full time (there's a lot of these-especially in August-start looking), or subbing, or long-term subbing.

Also, check with your state certification department. Many states offer an alternate route to certification, specifically for people who can't go back to college and have work experience and a bachelors.

Hope this helps-your question is a little vague-nned more details.

Answer 4

Look for Alternative Certification Programs. If you have a Bachelors degree they will get you a Probationary certificate while you complete training and your certification. It usually takes a year and you have to pass all the State tests that are required to every teacher. These programs will start paying you since you start training, at least most of them. Good luck! Teaching is a wonderful profession!

Answer 5

Teach in a religious school. You can teach general subjects.

Answer 6

Most major urban school districts can get you started with an emergency credential and guide you through the process of getting your certification.