[newteacher]

I want to continue my education once I move to Ocala. Where is the closest place to do that? I definetely want to earn my master's, and I am considering going after my doctorate after that. Do you know where most people from that area go? Also, do you have any idea if that is something the district will help me to pay for? Here in NJ, schools value education enough to help finance continuing ed. for teachers, and I am hoping it is the same there.

[leavinFL]

ha, no way!!!
i have never heard of a teacher getting their master's paid for anywhere. that would have been nice

and UF is not far from Ocala

[SCBeaches]

I know that here in SC if you mentor a student teacher from the local university we get 3 graduate classes each time. This is how many of us have earned our Masters' Degrees without paying for them. You might inquire about this at your closest college/university.

[newteacher]

Thanks! I'll look into that, but since I am a brand new grad. of a teacher ed. program, and this is my 1st year teaching, I don't know if I'm qualified ot take on a student teacher just yet. I also heard about a "loan forgivness" program for teachers with student loans that is funded by the state. I was wondering if I took out a student loan for graduate school if I could pay it down every year that I teach through this state-wide program.

[Suncoaster]

Originally Posted by newteacher

Thanks! I'll look into that, but since I am a brand new grad. of a teacher ed. program, and this is my 1st year teaching, I don't know if I'm qualified ot take on a student teacher just yet. I also heard about a "loan forgivness" program for teachers with student loans that is funded by the state. I was wondering if I took out a student loan for graduate school if I could pay it down every year that I teach through this state-wide program.

In Hillsborough, there are programs offered in some graduate programs where you get a certain amount "forgiven" from your student loans for each year you teach in lower-income schools. I believe this is the case in many areas, but the best thing to do is to check with the graduate school you are planning to attend. Ask the Financial Aid Director of the school for the specifics; I don't think all graduate programs offer loan forgiveness and am sure it varies in different locations.

[mainship]

Depends on your speciality, science and math masters degrees were subsidized when they were short, now special ed. Depends on county and what Suncoaster said.
Good Luck, Florida is going to have a shortage of teachers for a long time. They couldn't pay me enough to go back into teaching, even if they did pay for my master's, well NSF did, but that was years ago.

[cmdavis]

UF about 45mins. from Ocala, check out cfcc website they have classes there on-campus from UF or UCF, cfcc is in Ocala.

CM

[ericauf]

I know that Gilchrist County paid for a selected number of teachers to pursue their masters a couple of years ago. I'm not sure if they have the same funding now. It might be worth looking into...it is not too far from UF or Ocala.

[TANaples]

No, because a master's degree is not even required, as it is in other states. Actually, you can sub teach with only a 2 year degree in Florida. In other states, you cannot even be a TA without that 2 year degree.

Florida standards are very LOW in comparison to other regions of the country. I will not say where. Two years ago when I moved here, there had program called, "Home Grown Teachers" where they would pay for current TA's to get a degree and become teachers in Florida. That was eliminated last year.

[KoZmiC NinJa]

Florida doesnt want Master degreed educators. They require more pay with each
step. Since they are only getting kids ready for FCATs, higher or advanced teaching
skills arent really required. I think if you want to stay employed in FL, a Masters
might actually hurt you in certain situations.