Teaching in Chicago (Springfield: credit, teaching jobs, public schools)

[pootietang]

Hello,

I am looking to move to the Chicago area in the near future and would like to teach. I have a bachelor's from a top public university and graduated a few years ago. I do not have any teaching experience nor do I currently have a teaching certification, so I know I would need to go through the process of obtaining one. Problem is, the department of education website is a bt convoluted and I haven't been able to find a clear answer on how to obtain certification. Does anyone know the requirements for a new teacher to obtain certification in the state of Illinois? Is there a temporary certificate you can obtain? I know FL has this, so I was curious if Ill did also.

Also, what subjects in the city have the greatest need for teachers? I would like to teach Biology, but I could qualify for other subjects if necessary, depending what they are. Is the hiring process long once you become certified? Thanks!

[chitown85]

If you are bilingual, that will push your application to the top. I'm not sure about certification, but there may be some type of equivalency course or something.

Generally, you do have a better chance of finding employment as a science or math teacher than others, absent being bilingual.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by pootietang

Hello,

I am looking to move to the Chicago area in the near future and would like to teach. I have a bachelor's from a top public university and graduated a few years ago. I do not have any teaching experience nor do I currently have a teaching certification, so I know I would need to go through the process of obtaining one. Problem is, the department of education website is a bt convoluted and I haven't been able to find a clear answer on how to obtain certification. Does anyone know the requirements for a new teacher to obtain certification in the state of Illinois? Is there a temporary certificate you can obtain? I know FL has this, so I was curious if Ill did also.

Also, what subjects in the city have the greatest need for teachers? I would like to teach Biology, but I could qualify for other subjects if necessary, depending what they are. Is the hiring process long once you become certified? Thanks!

'Qualifying for other subjects' is not as easy as you may think. You have to take a certain number of hours of coursework before you can take the state content area test.

[pootietang]

Ok, so you can't take the test unless you have a certain number of hours of coursework? I'd be happy to teach Biology, but would be willing to do something else if I qualify.

I just want to know how the certification process works first of all. If I have a Bachelor's, do I have to go back to school and complete an education degree before I can teach full-time? Just wondering if there was a lateral entry process for people with a degree already.

[skipcromer]

do I have to go back to school and complete an education degree before I can teach full-time?

You have to get certification from an accredited teaching program.

Every school has different agreements with ISBE in regards to certification. You have to contact each university to find out what will be needed for you to get certified.

What was your undergrad degree in?

[Surfindude]

Originally Posted by pootietang

Ok, so you can't take the test unless you have a certain number of hours of coursework? I'd be happy to teach Biology, but would be willing to do something else if I qualify.

I just want to know how the certification process works first of all. If I have a Bachelor's, do I have to go back to school and complete an education degree before I can teach full-time? Just wondering if there was a lateral entry process for people with a degree already.

Short answer is yes, you need to take classes for certification. And it is a convoluted process. I suggest you call the state office, but don't call the one in Chicago call the one in Springfield if you want to talk to a real person. And, as it is, teaching jobs are very hard to find in Chicago, even in the public schools, believe it or not. Still, good luck with your quest.

Oh, btw, you don't need to do a whole 2 year program to get your certification, though a lot of colleges/universities try to push that.Check with National-Louis U. They have a masters in teaching degree, BUT, all the courses for certification are in the first year, so once you finish that you can go after your certification then continue on with your masters or not as you choose.

[pootietang]

My degree is in Econ, but I've taken all the sciences.

I was only planning to do this for a year or two at the most...going to grad school after that, so this is more so filling a gap year. If I would have to go back to school just to get certified, it's not worth it and I'll have to look elsewhere. I was hoping I could apply, take the subject tests and be qualified.

[pootietang]

Originally Posted by Surfindude

Short answer is yes, you need to take classes for certification. And it is a convoluted process. I suggest you call the state office, but don't call the one in Chicago call the one in Springfield if you want to talk to a real person. And, as it is, teaching jobs are very hard to find in Chicago, even in the public schools, believe it or not. Still, good luck with your quest.

Oh, btw, you don't need to do a whole 2 year program to get your certification, though a lot of colleges/universities try to push that.Check with National-Louis U. They have a masters in teaching degree, BUT, all the courses for certification are in the first year, so once you finish that you can go after your certification then continue on with your masters or not as you choose.

Isn't there a shortage of math and science teachers in the city? Especially at some of the inner city schools, I would imagine.

[Avengerfire]

With a name like pootietang you can teach me Biology and Anatomy anytime. On a college level of course though.

[Drover]

All I gotta say is bloody good luck. Teacher turnover in CPS is head-spinning.