Teaching Science in CPS...MS with UIC or NTEC? (Chicago: unemployment, neighborhood)

[omegaomega]

I graduated in biochemistry from UIUC, I have been accepted to UIC for a 1 year masters program and NTEC/ Quincy University for a online masters program which after one summer semester you start out as a full time paid teacher. Does anyone know anything about either?

UIC is only one year no pay
NTEC is online but you get a full salary after one semester IF you find yourself a job


MEd in Instructional Leadership: Science Education | University of Illinois at Chicago | College of Education

On-the-Job Alternative Certification Track | National Teacher Education Center



Is CPS in the mood to hire high school science teachers these days?

thanks

[chet everett]

Generally speaking the "shortage" of teachers is overblown and not really taken seriously -- there are thousands more people that have applied for jobs in CPS and never gotten anywhere.

UIC is without question the most notoriously bureaucratic of all colleges / universities in the region that offer teacher certification programs. I cannot state emphatically enough how difficult they can be to get anything done. If you really think that you are cut out to be a teacher you ought to look for information from folks that have found even the well suppoorted programs like Teach For America / TeachersCorps are not a very certain path to gainful employment...

The fact is that with declining overall student population and high unemployment the ratio of experienced teachers looking for work is out of balance.

[dans169]

I would seriously avoid teaching in CPS if you have a better option. If you know the neighborhood you would be teaching in and what the students/families in the area are like and are comfortable with them it may be another story.
Avoid working at any charter schools that are brand new or turnarounds. Some charters have an excellent rep and may be worth considering. If you were to do TFA, be prepared for a hellish experience in a hellish place.
Don't let your ideals of helping underprivileged students fool you into thinking everything will be rosy and the students will love you... well, because your you. Many times teachers in these types of schools get torn apart emotionally b/c of the awful students and do-nothing administration. Before you know it your overworked, don't have time for your loved ones and hate everyday you have to walk in the door.
I might be a bit cynical, but been there done that. Before you get into a public school job Google "hating teaching" read some responses and decide if that's the lifestyle you want.
It sounds like you have some great educational opportunities; explore other career paths that have a better quality of life, more earning potential, and overall less BS.
Good luck.