Hi, I am nearing the end of my undergraduate years as a psychology major and am considering becoming a high school teacher in california. The information I have found on the internet is somewhat convoluted and i would appreciate if someone could answer some of my questions. My first question is, how is the job outlook? I have heard that high school teachers are in demand.
It depends on where you live, and where you are willing to teach. With the budget in the state it's in, we can probably look forward to more belt-tightening, bigger classes, etc. There were a lot of teachers who got pink slips in Orange County and San Diego this year.
I dont know what a pink slip is, but it sounds bad. I would love to be able to teach in san diego (its my home) but the bay area would also be nice (I know i know, everyone is trying to move to CA)
I guess I should provide some more info of my situation. I am likely going to pursue a MA in psych doing a faculty preparation program to prepare for teaching at community colleges (would this somehow help me in my endeavor to get high school certified?). My main inspiration for wanting to teach high school is the fact that I was in a leadership class/ associated student body when i was in high school. I loved that kind of organization so much and currently enjoying TAing for my profs. I could see myself doing teaching, especially associated student body/leadership class. I would also be qualified for teaching psychology and statistics as I excel in both areas.
In most states there a distinct Social Sciences certifications: one in US History, one in World History, one in Government, etc. I am not sure if a general social sciences certification is still avalaible. It was when I got mine, but I am not sure if it still is.
Thanks! This is exactly why I came on here. My preliminary research has confused me. But I could have sworn that I read that one of the social sciences certifications was in psychology? Another reason why i am curious about the job outlook is because my roommate reported to me recently that good CA teachers are in such demand, that they state is willing to pay off student loans if you become one.
tears for susan, what you'd need to start with is a credential in social science - and with a major in psychology, you will almost certainly have to pass CSET Social Science, which will test you in world history and geography, US history and geography, civics, economics, and California history. There isn't a separate credential in psychology; the certification you speak of is a subject-matter authorization, but it's only issued to someone who already possesses a valid credential. You might do well to visit SDSU's College of Education - in particular the Office of Student Services - which can answer a number of your questions. Your roommate's information on the job market may not be up to date, especially for San Diego County.
Only teachers in Demand right now in San Diego are Math and Science.. and even Science is starting to slip
Yes, in CA if you have a social science credential you can teach: anthropology, economics (social science), psychology, sociology, geography, government, political science, or history. Have you been to the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing website? The Teach California site also has a lot of information. The TEACH grant provides $4000 a year to pay for your credential program, and then you must commit to teach in a low-performing school for four years. It's actually a federal program. Another thing - you might want to put off your MA and go for your credential first. Having your MA as a first-time teacher makes you more "expensive" and therefore a bit less desirable, as perverse as that sounds. If you are skilled in math, I'd suggest you go that route, as math teachers are always almost in demand. Even though you don't have a math degree, you can take the CSET exams which give you a degree equivalent (of course, you still need to graduate from college!) You can find lists of teacher prep programs on the two web sites above - you can even do it online, but I wouldn't advise it. The Cal States have excellent teacher prep programs. Good luck!
Not really. There are a couple of things going on here. First, as a teacher with a Master's degree, you would cost more, which would make you LESS desirable as a first year teacher. Second, teaching at a community college and teaching in secondary grades are two completely different beasts. I know, I've done it. I taught for 5 years at a CC before I took my current position in middle school. Talk about a culture shock. I was lucky in that my instincts proved to be on target, but I've known more teachers who failed to make that transition than teachers like me, who made it successfully. I would say that your roommate's information is not accurate. Secondary math and science teachers are in demand, but not English and Social Sciences. It's possible to get jobs in those fields, but it's a long tough job hunt. If that's what you want to do, then by all means, go for it, but don't be discouraged if it takes a while to land a job, or the job you get is in a less than desireable school (think urban schools). Good luck
In California, English is in higher demand than is social science overall, in part for the eminently practical reason that it looms larger on the state tests.
thanks for the info (everyone). I will start checking out those websites. Now there is one thing I am confused about and that is, how does one earn a credential of a conglomerate of social sciences when BA degrees only prepare you for one? For instance, I am a psych major... I have only taken a few of those other social sciences courses with little knowledge in any of them... and I could realistically somehow earn a credential and qualifications for being able to teach them? Also, I would not say I am skilled in math as far as calculus and what not. I am VERY skilled in statistics math but alot of high schools dont care about that stuff as much (interestingly, its such an important subject in colleges). I could be wrong about this? I remember from my high school they had a class called "business math" and its if you wanted to go an alternative route from the alg-geo-calc path. Is there any real demand for statistics teachers (without other types of math... well, i could maybe do algebra and geometry)?
If you're decently well versed in college algebra and geometry, you'd certainly be well advised to have a look at the Foundational-level Math credential: one must pass CSET Math subtests I and II (or have equivalent coursework), and it entitles one to teach departmentalized math classes up through Algebra II (on the usual Algebra I - Geometry - Algebra II sequence), including consumer math classes. Exactly where business math fits I'm not sure; that might be a class that can be tackled from either the Math credential or the Business credential. As to how one earns the Social Science credential, there are two options: (a) coursework, properly distributed among the areas: for this one needs to have been in an approved subject matter preparation program, which builds in the requisite courses); (b) passing CSET Social Science. As far as the "conglomeration", you're in more or less the position of the aspiring theatre teacher or journalism teacher: there isn't a theatre or journalism credential either, so the aspirant must qualify for the English credential, and that's going to mean boning up on literature and language and all. In the case of social science, the state assumes that someone who passes CSET Social Science has enough knowledge to teach US or world history, civics, or economics without unduly embarrassing either the state or himself. Please go visit either SDSU's College of Education or Cal State San Marcos's: each program is very good at dealing with people who are in precisely your position, whether or not you're a matriculated student now.
I really want to finish up my MA first because I am "in the swing of things". If I digress it may be more difficult to come back up and do it later. I was under the impression that salary could be negotiated however. So is this really even an issue as long as I state that I dont expect to be paid more than any other teacher? It is mind boggling how more educated/qualified teachers are less desirable!
Does anyone know of what credential I should aim for if I primarily want to teach leadership or be associated student body adviser? That is my main love, but teaching psych or stats on the side would be a plus.
Not if you really stop and think about it. As many first years will attest, college can't really prepare you for teaching, any more than parenting classes can prepare you for becoming a mom. Both can give you pointers, and tell you what has worked for others. But when push come to shove, it's really experience that saves the day in the classroom. Administrators know this. They know that there's no real way to determine who will find success in the classroom. Sure, content knowledge is the minimal jumping off place, but that's all it is. Beyond that, you have to try it to know whether or not you're good at it. As a result, they don't want to pay more than the minimum to a new teacher.
Um, nope. At least not in a public school; I don't know about private schools. We have unions in CA, and the salary scales are set by steps (years) and columns (education). In my district, having your MA puts you all the way to the last of the five columns (the number of columns may vary district to district.) A first-year teacher with a preliminary credential starts at $43,612, but if you have your MA it's $49,922.
I'm just looking into my crystal ball and guessing here. And the black cloud that's been over my house for months may be influencing my outlook. Given the current economic climate, I think we're going to see lots of cuts in electives next year. School budgets are going to be voted down by an electorate facing an increasing unemployment rate. State aid to schools will also face cuts, and that's going to translate to a "back to basics" attitude. I'm not sure we'll see lots of leadership classes being offered, or pscyh for that matter. I think the teachers who have any shot at being hired are those teaching the basics. Of course, being willing to moderate student government is a plus. It's a HUGE committment. Being willing to dedicate that sort of time might set you apart from the pack a bit.... if schools don't go onto austerity and cut extra curricular activities. Again, please forgive my gloomy attitude. I'm not trying to rain on your parade, merely to help you choose the path most likely to get you in front of a classroom.
Student government ends up with whatever teacher is most enthusiastic about taking it on - it really has nothing to do with what you teach. Ours is a Spanish teacher. Also, remember that at most schools student government is all of ONE period a day - it's the class "on the side," not the other way around.
the implication is that I would have to get a credential first before I get an MA, which is a bad thing :-( I dont understand why i could not get hired if i agreed to work for the 43,612 rate.
Because that's simply not an option. With the way that the unions negotiate salary you get put in a 'box" and that's what you get paid. Take me for example. When I came in, I didn't even have my credential. I was teaching on an emergency temp credential with just my master's in mathematics and my years teaching at a community college. It didn't matter one whitt that I'd never stepped foot into an secondary classroom or that I hadn't taken the first education or methods class. I was put where I "belonged" based on my degree and experience (which, through some complicated formula, put me at three years...I suppose the 5 years of part time somehow equaled 3 full years), then docked that because it was a temp cred. and I wasn't "fully qualified". I'll get bumped up to Master's and 5 years at the end of this school year, when I'll finish my ACP. My school had no options, nor did I have any say in the matter. Because of the way the contracts are negotiated, I'm paid what I'm paid based on the factors listed. My school took a HUGE risk. We all know the stats on 1st year teachers. This is a tough gig, and not everybody makes it. They know that and are frequently unwilling to risk paying a higher salary to somebody with that big of a chance of not making it to the next year.
I won't get into the details of California certification, as I obviously don't know them, but I can comment of the job scene. It's a mess.... of epic and astonishing proportions. For each job I applied to I was looking at at least 30-50 other applicants, and in the more urban areas of Chicago, hundreds upon hundreds. I would imagine in a place like San Diego, or much of the rest of CA, it would be similar. The fact that I even got a job at all continues to astonish me, and even that was after a dozen different interviews. And my primary area is history... not psychology or another related elective. I hate to say this, but if you're truly just looking to teach Pysch, leadership, or anything along those lines... your chances of landing a position border on the non-existent. At least in today's world....
Thanks for the input everyone. Exactly what I needed was frankness instead of my peers saying "you can do whatever you want!" I will stick to teaching at community colleges (the job scene there isnt so pretty either, but at least I will be highly qualified). Hopefully one day, things will even out for high school land and I will consider pursuing a credential. I just really like doing the hands on stuff, like student government and setting up school dances!
Susan, some community college have active student governments and student life organizations. If you shop around, you could probably find one that suits ALL your desires. The CC where I still work (in student services and in the evenings) has 8 different campuses and, while the one I work at isn't so active, there are three campuses with VERY active student groups. Each of those groups need a faculty sponsor. Several campuses produce newspapers, run radio and tv stations, and organize art shows. As a college, we also sponsor, organize and run the Miami Book Fair International and the Miami Film Festival, both of which require faculty members to serve on organizing committes and participate in the running of the events (google them, you'll see that they're rather large events). Also, one of the "schools" (which shares space with a particular campus), is an arts school, which produces art shows, drama productions, dance productions, musical theater, opera and orchestral concerts, all of which require...you guessed it...faculty participation. You could very well take the route I took (though didn't intend to take). I taught for 5 years before I took this job as a favor to a friend (the math/inner city outlook is far less bleak than other subjects/areas). Teaching at ANY level does equate to experience. You might find high schools more willing to take a risk if you've taught in any setting previously. By the way, teaching at a community college is GREAT!!!! If I wasn't so in love with my middle school job I would have applied for any of the several full time positions that have posted recently. You might very well find that you don't want to leave once you get started.
Very interesting information! You noted that several full time positions have been posted recently... from what i have been told and confirmed through my california friends who are currently CC teachers, it is very difficult to nail down a full time position. is this true in your experience? The adjuct pay and job security is lousy from what i have been told, but i am willing to work at it for a few years if it lands me a full time position.
It will be a challenge, yes; community colleges have historically kept costs down by using a lot of adjunct personnel, and that's not likely to change in the current economy.
