Anyone here a high school teacher?

7/6/2009 Suzie Q. says:

Substitute teaching is a great way to get your foot in the door.  Good luck.  I am not a HS teacher but I know some who got in that way.

7/6/2009 John "Mr Miscreant" H. says:

:  I want to teach Art

They teach Art in California public schools?  Huh?

7/6/2009 Account D. says:

Suzie - I am scared that subbing will scare me off teaching, though, as I remember how we treated subs in school.  Sometimes we tortured them.

John - Yes, of course they teach Art in CA public schools.  Don't they teach Art wherever you are from?

7/6/2009 K "bitch, puh-lease" G. says:

Hi Zelda!  Good luck.

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

yes I am a single subject teacher
1. CBEST
2. CSET (I suggest taking the sections one or two at a time)
3. Teacher Program

in the mean time
you can get your sub credential  

PM me if you have any questions

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

keep in mind the CBEST is about 40 bucks and each SUBTEST of the CSET is around 75 bucks *usually there are 3-4 tests*

I suggest studying by purchasing an AP book and studying off that if it is applicable to your subject... other than that the study guides are available on the CSET website

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

You can always try for after school programs such as allstars or through local youth organizations

7/6/2009 Account D. says:

\V\

Kere - Thanks!  And hi!

Vicky - I am looking online and filling out forms, but it's confusing.  Do I want to fill out the Emergency 30Day Substitute Teaching Permit, Emergency Substitute Teaching Permit for Prospective Teachers, Emergency Career Substitute Teaching Permit, or the Emergency Vocational Education 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit?

Then I was filling out this:  http://www.ctc.ca.gov/...  and there's all of these drop down menus.  I don't know what that stuff is all about!

I passed the CBEST.  I am going to sign up for the CSET, but for Art they only give the CSET every few months.  The next Art one is in September.  I think I'll get a book or take a KAPLAN class.

7/6/2009 Account D. says:

vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

"You can always try for after school programs such as allstars or through local youth organizations"

****************************** ****************************** **********

Is that a good way to get in the door, or a good way to get letters of recommendation?  Also, was it easy to get a job?  Was the teaching credential program easy?

7/6/2009 mary ann "back to jaded" c. says:

You will have a REALLY REALLY hard time getting a job teaching Art in highschool
right now we desperately need high school math teachers they are the only ones who didnt get hit with lay offs
you can def sub and maybe find a subject you like as well although right now they are giving sub preference to teachers who have been pink slipped
you will of course need a single sub. credential in another subject if you choose to teach that too
also generally for the art class there is usually just one or two teachers in highschool at most but they allow any sub to sub
you should introduce yourself to the local art teachers so they can request you personally to sub once you are in the system

7/6/2009 mary ann "back to jaded" c. says:

when subbing ANY three letters of ref will do (for the sub office) as your paperwork doesnt make it to a set school but the main district HR people

7/6/2009 mary ann "back to jaded" c. says:

You want the 30 day emergency teaching
the first one

7/6/2009 Harmonika "Your chacha seeks revenge for her sins" S. says:

How do you keep yourself from killing the annoying little fuckers?  Teachers amaze me.

7/6/2009 Account D. says:

So Art teaching jobs are hard to come by?  Awesome.  I wouldn't want to teach any other subject.  Maybe something art related, like yearbook or something.  But Art is the only thing I feel that I could teach or would want to teach.  I would be willing to commute to a different school district or work at a private school.  I guess the problem is that all of the other people who majored in Art are all becoming teachers.

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

30 day sub teaching permit-- it is valid for one year and good for k-12
Requirements to Obtain a 30-Day Substitute Permit

The minimum requirement to become a substitute teacher in Placer County is to hold a valid Emergency 30-Day Substitute Permit from CTC. To obtain the Emergency 30-Day Substitute Permit an individual must hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited university and have proof of passing the CBEST exam. For more information on the CBEST exam you may visit their website at http://www.cbest.nesin.... The Emergency 30-Day Substitute Permit allows an individual to substitute teach for up to 30 days in one school year for any one particular group of students. Once the 30th day is reached (20 days in special education) one cannot return to that classroom; however, substituting in other classrooms is permitted.

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

I would concur with Mary Ann regarding the job dealio which is why I recommended looking for after school programs.. it is a good way to get into the door eventually if you have little or no teaching experience...

As for getting into a program.. depends on what kind of program-- I do recommend getting BOTH  your master's and the single subject credential at the same time..

7/6/2009 mary ann "back to jaded" c. says:

Art is really hard because there are so few classes ( I mean like one are compared to 7 math)
you might have better luck with a charter/waldorf or catholic school because their funding hasnt necessarily been cut so much
the US sadly does not support the arts as much as it should
and when cuts are made creative classes are first to go
my friend majored in History and ended up teaching Algebra because their wasnt a real need for History teachers

Good Luck

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

The teaching program I was at UC Santa Cruz... it is in an intensive program because you get your master's and credential in a year and a half... Programs I suggest looking into would be UCSC and Stanford... San Jose State has suffered some budget cuts and they lagged this year.. I had some teacher friends going back into the program talk about disorganization and lack of communication...

7/6/2009 mary ann "back to jaded" c. says:

Yeah I sometimes wonder about the effectiveness of BTSA in general

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

if you don't have a good btsa coach it is a painful experience...

7/6/2009 Account D. says:

Well Shiiiiite.  There goes that "foolproof" plan.

Taking a teaching credential and a Masters program at the same time sounds intense.  I have to work at the same time.  Would that be physically humanly possible?

7/6/2009 mary ann "back to jaded" c. says:

its possible
miserably possible
but possible

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

Depending on the program it goes as follows
Summer sessions are more intense and then during the school year classes are at night and your student teaching is done during the day

most classes will start around 4pm during the school year... it really depends on where you do the program and their expectations.. I suggest looking at different programs and deciding which is best for you

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

I am about to graduate from a high school counseling program and my day went as follows
8-330 work
330- sometimes 945 class depending on the semester and the availability of the classes  

yes i took a full 15 unit course load

yes i did it within the 2 year time and i am just waiting for my thesis to get approved

was i miserable...yes.... but on the other hand now that I have my counselor and teaching credentials I am marketable

7/6/2009 Account D. says:

I don't do well with no time off.  I snap.

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

LOL.. it is a commitment.. Look into different programs and see what appeals to you :-)

7/6/2009 Account D. says:

Vicky,

Are you planning to stay a high school teacher?  Or did you get the Masters degree so that you could teach at the junior college level?  How much harder is it to get a job as a Junior College instructor as opposed to a high school Art teacher?  

Any other ideas?

7/6/2009 Nicole "shaboopi" L. says:

I'm planning to become an english teacher. And, I remember a teacher telling me that it was a bad idea to get a masters in education before you get hired. it's like when the district sees you have a masters, they won't hire you because they have to pay you more.

And, my aunt is a special education teacher and she started off with her credentials. When she got her masters, the district paid her an extra 10 grand a year.

Good luck in your endeavors, Zelda. I was laid off in May and I have been using this time to study for the CSET. I'm totally regretting having to sit there for five hours for a test.

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

Junior college you need a master's for sure

I am not planning on being a teacher forever... I have taught for 7 and this is my 4th year as a counselor (I am doing a 60 40 schedule this year-- 3 history classes and counseling..in the past I have been 80% counselor and taught 1 class)... I am looking into administration and getting my PhD within the next few years

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

as for other ideas
after school programs
non profits (east bay arts alliance does some great work within schools)
volunteering or being an aid in the classroom
substitute teaching
speech and language therapists are always needed..special ed is also a way to go

7/6/2009 Account D. says:

Dang,

All y'all are well edumecated!  So here's what I was thinking... Get teaching credential in 9 months (I have seen that such programs exist) while teaching as a sub or emergency teacher at an inner city school.  Then after I get a teaching job get my Masters at night and take my sweet ass time, then eventually try to teach at the college level or just get more money with a Masters.  But all of this is contingent on getting jobs and doors magically opening up for me.  

Yeah, I am not looking forward to a 5 hour CSET exam.  Mine would be in September.

7/6/2009 Account D. says:

Vicky,

If I can't teach art I wouldn't want to teach at all.  I definitely do not see myself enjoying life as a special ed teacher.  I tutored college students with special needs, but they were college students and they were intellectually able to grasp concepts.  I don't think I have the patience or the heart to do special ed, sad to say.

I will look into after school programs.

Also, may I ask what school district you guys teach in?

7/6/2009 John "I will pull your pants down" F. says:

Amy , Devon, Yvonne are teachers

7/6/2009 John "I will pull your pants down" F. says:

Devon F. is a teacher the one that got Rotd

7/6/2009 Steven "can't" C. says:

just to let you know, teaching has a really high turn over rate...
i believe i read in an article that the avg teacher last 3years.........it kinda shocked me

I majored in Child Development and intended to get my teaching credential for K - 3rd grade, but decided to get some experience at the preschool level.

I'm so lucky i have one of the most amazing jobs out there right now, that i dont feel that compelled to get a credential.

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

zelda don't feel bad.. everyone in education has their comfort zones.. it is good you know where yours lies :-D

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

steven that is awesome :-)

7/6/2009 Account D. says:

I'm super surprised that teaching would have a high turn over rate.  Hm.

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

Zelda I think teaching is at an awkward place in california and we are in need of massive reform....
My suggestion would be to check out http://edjoin.org and see what is being posted, the salaries and the qualifications......

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

ultimately it is not who you know but who knows you.. if you have a great rep as a substitute..... teachers are more likely to request you specifically... as for the master's comment... it is usually only 1000 dollars in pay raise for a master's when it comes to hiring..check out the local districts and their pay scales...as for teacher turn over it happens for two reasons
1. people realize that teaching is not for them (or the age range they started out with is not for them)
2. districts let them go (master's or not) before they can be tenured in order to hire new teachers at a cheaper rate or because they are the last ones hired

I will say this in addition to everything else.... being bilingual or trilingual does help :-)

7/6/2009 Bobby W. says:

hy Zelda, can you tell me a little about the CBEST? is it really that easy? i hear that if you can watch TV, you can pass it.

7/6/2009 Devon "Completely Appropriate™" F. says:

If you can fingerpaint, you can pass the CBEST.

7/6/2009 Rene "Writes Sucky Reviews" C. says:

I took a sample CBEST test online and am totally embarrassed to share just how poorly I did.

7/6/2009 Bobby W. says:

i took a practice CBEST test with 20 questions and i had 2 wrong. i thought i'd get a perfect so i was wondering if the passing curve is like retardedly low.

7/6/2009 Nicole "shaboopi" L. says:

Whoever was the one that suggested reading an AP book to study for the CSET: Thank you. I'm doing that right now. =)

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

You are welcome Nicole! If you look at the standards for the AP exams it is exactly what they expect for the CSETs (at least that theory has worked thus far for History and English)

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

CBEST consists of stuff that is similar to the SATs .. I would advise doing the online practice and also getting a book that has a CD for practice

7/6/2009 vicky "yelp *hyna #2" t. says:

Bobby a lot of folks get caught up on the essay portion...

7/6/2009 amy l. says:

It's nearly impossible to get a  full-time teaching job at a community college; most classes are taught by PT faculty.  Even PT teaching positions at community colleges are very, very difficult to come by.  

I also want to reiterate that in the near future  you will not be able to find a teaching job in public education where you are only teaching art classes.  in this fiscal landscape public education is hurting and arts is the first to go.

Teaching is hard.  Turnover is SUPER high in urban districts.  I'm going to guess that you might want to teach in a suburban school (where they may have extra funding for art or at the very least, art classes) but those teachers stay in the schools forever.

Alternatives in no particular order:
1)Work as a subcontractor for an arts education organization.  This way you don't have to find your own gigs; they just send you out to work during the school day or in after school programs.
2) Market yourself as an art teacher.  Build up your credibility by volunteering at the elementary schools (go through PTSA or principals).  After a while, you can approach the school to pay you for your services.
3) Look for jobs at MOCHA or similar places
4) look into private schools where you need no credential

good luck!

7/6/2009 John "Mr Miscreant" H. says:

: They teach Art in California public schools?

I actually meant this seriously.  I grew up here in the mid 80's, right as Prop 13 and other measures were starting to affect the school budgets.  As such, I don't remember taking any art or music classes in Elementary School.  My parents started to feel that the public schools were going downhill, so they first looked in to private school, then just decided to move.  This was in Santa Cruz, btw.

7/6/2009 David "the Mad Scientist" K. says:

For those of you who remember... sit down Waaaaaaaldo.

http://www.youtube.com...

7/28/2009 Kaitlin H. says:

I've taken the CBEST and the first subtest of the CSET for art.

Go to your local library, they should have books on both. The CBEST isn't difficult if you remember everything you learned in middle school but WHO REMEMBERS that? Brush up on your skills. Seriously.

7/28/2009 Andrew "elitist prick" T. says:

they treat me like im their age, so it's cool

7/28/2009 yvonne "daughter of shaclackclack" m. says:

sorry zelda, but i don't think you'll want to go into art education right now...especially in california

math, science, and special ed teachers are always needed, are are always in short supply

you may be able to get a steady art job in a private school, but private school pay is very, very low

7/28/2009 yvonne "daughter of shaclackclack" m. says:

and another thing

teaching is not a profession to be taken lightly, and it's not a good idea to try to cut corners to find an easy way in.  it's serious work.  especially if a teacher decides to special in art - that is something that requires tons of dedication, creativity, and a true love of art.  maybe i'm wrong but it seems like you just want a job that is "easy" and "fun."  these are bad reasons to get into teaching.  it's unfair to the students and it will be a waste of your own time if this is the case.

7/28/2009 yvonne "daughter of shaclackclack" m. says:

special = specialize

7/28/2009 Gerald "non sequitur" C. says:

I asked my career counselor about joining the teaching profession.  He asked me, "that's great and all, but do you like babysitting?"

7/28/2009 Alan "Piston" Y. says:

art education is for dilettantes, people with trust funds, and others who don't need to worry about having a steady stream of income. this isn't to bash art. hell i got into an mfa program at cal arts and decided to get a job outside of art instead. bills need to be paid yo.

7/28/2009 yvonne "daughter of shaclackclack" m. says:

"babysitting?"

he actually said that?

unheard of