[novanative75]

Originally Posted by pianogal

I see what you mean about the lack of education classes...it just astounds me the college would confer a Master of EDUCATION degree with that curriculum.

See, I disagree and kind of take offense to that and I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you did not intend to insinuate that my Masters in Education was ANY less valuable than someone else's. There is not a 'lack of education classes' in that curriculum! There might not be classes that train someone to teach but certainly ALL of those classes train counselor educators! I worked very hard for almost 5 years to get my Masters in Education to be a school counselor, period, end of discussion. I never wanted to be a teacher and I think, kudos to people like me who take the time to really focus in on exactly what they want to do and excel at it.
Being a school counselor IS education. Education is not just teaching.
If you look at most any school counselor program in the country, you will find the same thing. The same with school psychologists, speech therapists, and even some administration programs. These programs were designed to educate and train specialists in the school.

There is more to a school than just teachers and thankfully, there are programs out there to train those specialists.

My point in posting the curriculum was not to take a jab at such programs or even at myself, it was to educate people on the variety of ways one can become an educator. Not all educators are teachers. I am just as much of an educator as any teacher out there and deserve the same respect. I educate in a different way, but I do educate.

[pianogal]

Please accept my apology. I, in no way, intended to insult you or your degree - that was not the point. However, I seem inadequate to express it. So, I'll just ask your forgiveness and move on. Good luck in your middle school career.

[novanative75]

Originally Posted by pianogal

Please accept my apology. I, in no way, intended to insult you or your degree - that was not the point. However, I seem inadequate to express it. So, I'll just ask your forgiveness and move on. Good luck in your middle school career.

No problem, I did not think you meant to insult me but I get really defensive of counselors because we are a misunderstood and misinterpreted bunch of educators. Part of my Masters Program did train us in things such as college admissions, career counseling, course selection, standardized testing this and that. But, the major part of the program was to train us as counselors because that is really what we do on a day to day basis. Or should I say, that is what we are SUPPOSED to be doing on a day to day basis when not taken advantage of by administrators thinking we are a catch all for anything that needs to be done in the school!
There are many avenues to take to get a degree in education, same as there are many avenues to take to get a medical degree.

But, back to my original point in posting in this thread, as much as I am 100% an educator and qualified to do what I do in the schools, I ain't qualified to teach and I am honest with myself about that!!

[STEVEN 1]

I am studying to become a teacher. My major is education but want to minor in english and literature. Really love english and always have. I think because of this passion, it will make me a passionate teacher. I am studying in VA. but have been looking in Fla. I am a adult college sudent pursuing a career change. As far as a 35k salary, my wife has a degree in business and makes about 50k. The biggest problem with the education system in any district, is that it is run by politicians and not the educators. Teaching is one of the most noble, rewarding professions there is. And I am going into teaching to make a difference. If I wanted to be rich, I would be pursuing something else. Anyways studying in VA, get me certified in the state, but if I wanted to teach in Fla, does anybody know what the steps are? thanks for listening.

[novanative75]

Originally Posted by STEVEN 1

I am studying to become a teacher. My major is education but want to minor in english and literature. Really love english and always have. I think because of this passion, it will make me a passionate teacher. I am studying in VA. but have been looking in Fla. I am a adult college sudent pursuing a career change. As far as a 35k salary, my wife has a degree in business and makes about 50k. The biggest problem with the education system in any district, is that it is run by politicians and not the educators. Teaching is one of the most noble, rewarding professions there is. And I am going into teaching to make a difference. If I wanted to be rich, I would be pursuing something else. Anyways studying in VA, get me certified in the state, but if I wanted to teach in Fla, does anybody know what the steps are? thanks for listening.

I got my Masters in Virginia and am now working in Florida, all I had to do was apply for a Florida license but I am a guidance counselor and Virginia has some of the highest standards for counseling so it may be different for teachers. If you go on the FL Department of Education, you will see what you have to do and they are good about answering questions on the phone.
Good luck, where in Florida are you moving? Jobs are few and far between, I would suggest not coming until you have a job.

[FertilityDoc]

You always have to be suspicious of the "best of" lists which sometimes become beauty contest. Newsweek does publish a list of the 1000 best high schools in the US. There are plenty of schools in Florida that make the list. Note that some of the Space Coast schools are ranked fairly high. I am sure there are plenty of parents in the aerospace industries from that area that may be influencing that. Note that Cocoa Beach High is number 103 in the US. Certainly not a bad ranking.

Here is a link to the list America's Top Public High Schools | Newsweek Best High Schools | Newsweek.com . You can search the list for all the highly ranked high schools in Florida. Hope that helps.

[sunrico90]

On Monday I attended the graduation for Navarre HS @ the Pcola Civic Center. This year Navarre HS had the largest class in the county with over 400 graduates.

Almost 40% are going to an university full time, about 35% to a community college and work, about 10% percent are joining the military and the rest are becoming part of the working force.

The future is bright for many, many do have the drive to take the challenge and try their best to be the best they can be. For those that motivated our children regarless of limitation THANK YOU. Takes an educator that is committed to excel and form our future leaders. Regardless of our opinions our educators deserve our respect...

[novanative75]

Originally Posted by sunrico90

On Monday I attended the graduation for Navarre HS @ the Pcola Civic Center. This year Navarre HS had the largest class in the county with over 400 graduates.

Almost 40% are going to an university full time, about 35% to a community college and work, about 10% percent are joining the military and the rest are becoming part of the working force.

The future is bright for many, many do have the drive to take the challenge and try their best to be the best they can be. For those that motivated our children regarless of limitation THANK YOU. Takes an educator that is committed to excel and form our future leaders. Regardless of our opinions our educators deserve our respect...

Wow, 40% is actually really low for students attending 4-year colleges. The last high school I worked at was at 83%. I would wonder why the school is not doing more to educate their students on the availability of colleges to suit everyone and financial aid.

[compelled to reply]

40%? My local high school is around 90%. Actually they just changed the zone and that one is in mid 70% range. 40% is about right for an inner city school...

Then again, I went straight to the workforce. Does that make me an under performer? It really depends on what options are open to the individual. In my situation, I decided it would be counterproductive to start now, although I do soon plan on going to college for at least four years.

[0RLANDOBBY]

Well it really depends, becuase florida does got its bad parts to!! i would probably recomand a school that is located by a good area where there isn't to much crime,gangs!! becuz i use 2 go 2 school in some areas like that and it was horribale kids would fight everday!! but one thing that kinda surprised me was that my parents had put me in a school called south*****middle school and it was located in DR.philips witch is a rich and i mean rich area!! and i dont kno wats rlly happening 2 orlando but its turning out 2 be bad when i went 2 that school, 4 kids had gotten arrested! and taken 2 juvinile 2 girls pulled the fire alarm during a test! one gurl jumped on top Of the lunch room table and pulled a gurl by the hair!! and the last one was a gurl that was fighting and they had 2 call the cops 2 come 2 our school becuz the gurl wouldnt get off!! so irlly dont kno but mostly try the rich ares its better!!! o yh and that school is dropping from an A+ to a C