now i know a lot of people will say special education, science, or math...but i don't really feel passionate about those choices. i am trying to decided between reading specialist and media specialist (school librarian). thoughts?
Let's look in terms of job availability. Each school has one media specialist-- would a school possibly need more? Or fewer-- do schools ever share them??? How about reading specialists-- how many does each school typically have?
My school has a few, but I don't think any of the are certified to be so... In fact, I don't think any of them even have a masters.
Library media specialist positions are difficult to come by, but if you're passionate about it, go for it. I did, and I don't regret it...I got far more from that program than I did my undergraduate teacher prep program and I'm able to use what I learned from the courses almost each day.
How are these people reading specialists without the certification? There are standards they must meet under the 'highly qualified' requirements of NCLB. to the op: I think reading specialist would be the better way to go. It will help you with meeting student needs in a classroom, make you more marketable ($) as a tutor, and in these days of 'response to intervention' is a higher need position than media specialist.
I think the next big "buzz" is going to be math specialists and ESL at least that is the vibe I get around here.
I think you have to look at the availability of jobs in your area. In my area, there are more reading specialists, so there would be more likely to be an opening in that area. Good luck!
I agree w/ Alice. I know your intrest is the main reason to get into something, but then, look into job availability. I don't know about you, but in my large district, they don't really have reading recovery teachers anymore & even a decade ago, my district didn't have many. Now if you're talking about the reading specialists who don't work w/ the kids, but work w/ the teachers to help them teach their kids better, that's another thing to look into. Anything where there's only one of that type of person at each school should be given serious thought because you know the chances may not be as good. When people get those kinds of jobs, they many times stay in them for yrs until they retire.
I am actually have two masters, one in Literacy which led to reading certification and one in library science which led me to Library Media Certification. Right out of college I went for my Masters in Literacy because that is what everyone told me to do and the University offered a discount for graduates of my Undergrad college....mind you that is what all 400 people who graduate each semester with teacher certification from my college also chose to do....SO in this area it is extremely hard to get a reading teacher position because there is about 300 candidates for every one position. I chose to go back to school to be LMS (the odds are about 40 candidates for each position in my area) and I just graduated this summer, I wound up with a leave replacement for this year but had many interviews in August for LMS where as a certified elementary and reading teacher for 4 years I had only 2 interviews. I feel confident that with this leave under my belt I will get my "real" job as a LMS next year, the anticipated posting are already popping up!
Does your state require a degree to be a librarian. My state does but many do not. PS. I just got my library degree so you know what my vote is.
Really look at your area. In mine you have a much better chance of getting a library media specialist position than a reading specialist position, but the literacy certification will get your resume looked at more for elementary positions. Also look at the length of the program and what's required for each. Good luck with your decision!
It's just a title they hold by the school. It's usually, where they put teachers when their job is cut and they're tentured. Also, they're not reading coaches.
Reading specialist is a specific certification, not a title to award 'tenured' teachers who have no place else to go...
In Ohio, most school librarians are just aides. Reading specialists on the other hand are very valuable.
Well, that's how they do it here. It's not uncommon in other areas around here. I think it might go away when the economy improves.
I am going for library science, and there have been 5 openings this year alone. That is very rare. A lot seem to be retiring right now. Anyways, my district requires certification which I won't have until next year. Bummer!
Actually, when the economy improves, they should hire REAL reading specialists...they are out of compliance right now with federal legislation. That's not an 'around here' kind of thing...certifications are hard-won, and shouldn't be disregarded with job titles assigned at whim.
