Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Hang in there Nikki. Hopefully the right one will be available for you. What grade(s) are you looking for?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Nikki, if you get the job at the charter school, will the certification issue continue to be a problem as you move forward ? btw-- I hope you get the one you want - just like buying a house - you know when the right one is in front of you
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I can't agree with VBDAD more. Only you know your situation, but if you really want to teach, changing career may open even more doors to happiness. Life is a risk. Just be sure to have a backup plan. Also, what is stopping your certification?
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I won't be fully certified until I complete my certification program at the University of New Orleans, and that won't be for at least a year. Once I pass my Praxis II on June 9, I'll be certified under a Louisiana Practitioner License, which is a temporary license. I'll be certified in middle school English, grades 4-8.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey vbdad, I think that as long as I can prove that I'm working towards my certification, I should be able to stay on at the charter school. He said he has several temporarily certified teachers who have done little or nothing to get fully certified. I'm taking five credits in the fall (two classes plus my teaching internship) hopefully five more in the spring, and as many as I can handle next summer.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^ good luck completing that as soon as you can, I know it will be nice to have behind you. Sort of distrubing he has others that have chosen no to finish / upgrade theirs - you are likely right in that when they see you are progressing that should move you ahead !
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey ^^^^^I'm going to call the principal this afternoon and clarify just to make sure. I'm actually thinking of adding another class for the fall - each class is two credits and only meets once a week for about three hours, plus I have to add an internship that's one credit. One calss is even on the internet. I'm going to talk to my advisor and see what he/she says. I'd like to fit in as many credits as possible without making myself nuts.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 English teacher, good for you. We'll all have to be more careful around here of our sentence structure, etc. I think it's great that you want to do this. Performing a terrific service for our children's future, and therefore our future too. And it can create a great sense of accomplishment for you. Go for it girl!
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey ^^^^^^There are a lot of people on this board who are lucky that I can't write in red pen on a computer screen...
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey GUESS WHAT?!?!?!? I interviewed at a charter school today and the principal offered me a job on the spot! He gave me a choice - I can either teach 3rd grade or English/social studies to 8th graders. I have to check and make sure it's kosher with the fellowship program that I teach out of my certification area, because I think I'm leaning more towards the 3rd grade position. The principal was very enthusiastic and the school has a support system for new teachers - I'll be meeting with a master teacher at least twice a week to help improve my skills. The principal told me to think about it for a few days and give him a call. I'm really excited!
Originally Posted By Labuda Well, I'm late to this part of the thread, but MEGA MEGA congrats to you on the upcoming teaching position, Nikki! I am so happy for you, girl! Go get 'em!
Originally Posted By Labuda And, wow - just finished the thread up through #70! What great news you got today! WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey Thanks Labuda!!!! I hardly got any sleep last night because teaching plans kept drifting through my head. This is going to be such a wonderful opportunity for me, and I really can't explain how thrilled I am. I'm just waiting to hear back from the HR department at the school regarding salary. I just bought a house, I need to make sure I make enough to make my mortgage!
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey Well, I didn't think about it for a few days. I called the principal back yesterday and accepted the job! I have to teach 8th grade because that's the area I'll be certified in, but I'm not too upset about that because I love the thought of talking about poetry and novels with these kids. I also get to teach social studies, which in 8th grade covers Louisiana history, one of my favorite subjects. Exactly two months from today I'll be teaching my first class!
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey ^^^^^Thanks dave, bobbelee, Labuda, and everyone else! The hourney definitely begins now, because this is the hard part - the actual TEACHING! I'ver very lucky in that I think I'm working for a great, committed principal. He's enthusiastic and I felt like he really wanted me on the faculty, which sold me right away. The school is a bit older, but it's clean and without graffiti, with a great playground and lots of windows. I think it's going to be a great learning environment for both me and the kids. In a little over two weeks I'll be attending an intensive six week training course, during which I'll student teach in the morning and learn about classroom management, etc. in the afternoon. I'm anxious to get started.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo One thing I've learnt in my profession Nicky - it's not the buildings that matter, but the people and culture. It sounds like you are getting that and I look forward to hearing of your new adventures.
