Need to decide which MTELs to take based on demand? Is there a better grade to start with as a rookie teacher? (Boston: loans)

[bostonburns]

Hi! Thanks for your time in advance... I understand that in MA, Special Ed, Science & Math are all in demand. None are my strengths so I'm seeking the second tier of jobs in demand for new teachers. Briefly, my background... I'm a 40 yr old new mom who's recently relocated home to MA after 20 years in NYC and a career in the film industry. I NEED a job by January as my unemployment is up and I'd love to go into teaching. Here is the gist of it...

Basically, I've always hoped to get into teaching down the road, I saw myself teaching theatre to kids or having an elementary class. I'm working to get my preliminary license by January and hope to study at Bridgewater's APB program in the Spring. My dilemma is that I need to pass the MTEL in an area of study that's going to be most likely to help me find a job in January, but these areas are not my strengths. I haven't touched math and science in 20 years, and I'm a bit intimidated to start my teaching career in special ed. Do I push myself into these areas assuming I can prep and pass the MTEL next month? Or is there something in between - any other areas (perhaps creative) that are in demand? Is it safe to assume that the older the children, the more educationally (not necessarily emotionally) demanding? For example, I assume I need to be more well-read to teach high school English over middle school... Would it be better for me to get my feet wet as say a reading specialist? Finally, what are you thoughts about working in private vs. public schools?

[ScituateAl]

I'm not an educator but have researched programs, MA DOE requirements, different options, etc.. I'll defer to anyone who has more/better info, but here's my initial thoughts:

1) Teach @ a private school as there is no certification needed.

2) Pick a track/position. I cannot imagine picking a field just because of demand as diverse as SPED vs. Science or Math. This is going to be something you study for years and then teach in hopefully for years.

3) Find a program and career counselor ASAP if you want to teach in a public school. Your expectations for employment sound a bit off base and you'll be well served by someone who can best outline the necessary education, certification, etc. required to teach. The MTEL is just a subject test - anyone can sit down, bulk-up, and pass it. However, I do not see how any MA public school would hire anyone with no teaching experience and no academic background in the subject matter. (I'm happy to be wrong here, but that is my sense). We looked at reading specialists as a field for my wife - it typically requires that you already have teaching expereince and then a specialized masters in reading!

Do you need to work? Can you qualify for federal loans which can cover not just tuition but related living expenses, etc.?? Go full time, borrow, and get it done with rather than dragging it out.

4) Set proper expectations. Boston has something like 200K college students with highly focused bachelors in math, science, psysch...and figure that 50K of them are all graduating mostly without a job...they too are looking to head to grad school in the hopes that things will improve and will be your competition for programs and teaching positions.

5) Education/Work Combined. If you want to get the masters as well as have a job, there are special programs available to get you both such:

MINT
https://www.doemass.org/mint/

Boston's Teach in a Year.
Graduate College of Education, University of Massachusetts Boston: Accelerated Programs (http://www.umb.edu/academics/departments/gce/programs/curriculum_instruction/programs/acceleratedprograms/teachnextyear.html - broken link)

Harvard's TEP
Program Description

My sense is that these programs are very very competitive and often starts in the summer...apply now for summer 2010.

Good luck in your transition!

[bostonburns]

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post, ScituateAl.

All the best to you and your wife!