Need Advice on Teaching in North Carolina (Charlotte: employment, private schools)

[stevensona5]

Note: This is also posted in the Charlotte forum.

I graduated college in December with a B.S. in biology. I made the mistake of enrolling in a master's program in environmental management in Australia, where my father lives. As I near the end of my first semester in Oz, I am realizing that I am not on the right career path.

I'm pretty sure now that I want to become a teacher. I've been looking into lateral entry as well as the NC Teach program. Ideally, I would like to find a teaching position first and then start taking the licensure courses. Does anyone have any advice on finding a position as a lateral entry science teacher in NC? I am willing to work pretty much anywhere in NC, but I would prefer to be in the mountains or the western half of the state. What are the areas of greatest need in NC?

I would appreciate any advice that would help me get started on this path. Also, in case it matters, I am a North Carolina resident and my GPA was very high.

Thanks,
Anne-Marie

[zthatzmanz28]

Out of necessity I believe you have to have a teaching position (or an offer for) to complete lateral entry?

http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/...teralentry.pdf

Licensure

[LLN]

I hate to jump on the budget bandwagon, but we had a letter from our superintendent last night saying that we were probably going to loose 90 more positions in the county. We already had lost 60, so it is looking grim. I cannot imagine we are any better or worse off than the other 99.

I would STRONG RECOMMEND against trying to enter the NC teaching field until tax revenues pick up and employment becomes more certain. On a positive note, research indicates that many teachers that are going to be let go DO NOT COME BACK to teaching, so in several years, it could be a windfall, but not now, or through 2010.

I feel for the first time I am at risk, since I only recently, two years ago, returned to teaching. I have lots of prior experience, and am certified math and science, but the numbers are so awful, with only two years counting, I could end up on the chopping block.

That is just the way it is.

lln

[Go-Tarheels]

thats very nice i am working on my masters too on teaching but with the bad economy i am not planning to work in NC at all its better to work in foreign countries i think... or you can apply here for private schools they are better than public i would assume

[Asheville Native]

Maybe when the economy turns around, but right now there will be thousands and thousands of teachers who will not have their contract renewed for the next school year due to the budget crisis in the state.

The governor even has the audacity to raid the proceeds of the states "Education Lottery" for other purposes.