I thought I'd written about this, but couldn't find any posts to that effect.
ANYWAY,
I've been thinking about what to do with the rest of my life since my baby will be starting school in the fall. When I quit teaching in 1997, I swore I wouldn't return, but the fact of the matter is that teaching is a decent job for a mom (not PERFECT, but better than a lot!), and with all my tutoring, I'm actually finding the idea kind of nice! It doesn't hurt that every time I talk to a counselor at the High School, they ask me to come back!
Since I've been out of things so long, my license has expired. I can simply pay to get a substitute license (which I probably will do when M. starts school fulltime, as subbing is more flexible, and easier in many ways, and it'll allow me to decide if I really want to teach fulltime or not!), or I can take 6 credits and then renew my current license. My license allows me to teach any Science class in grades 7-12. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable teaching Physics, and (at this point) no really high level/AP classes in Bio or Chem either. But there's a lot of basic Physical Science, Biology and Chemistry classes offered.
However, since I've been tutoring, I've found that I really enjoy tutoring Math a lot more than the Science classes. Besides that, Math classes don't require the setting-up and tearing-down of labs! So I started thinking about maybe returning as a Math teacher (since I have to take 6 credits before my license is renewed anyway). In addition, what better time to take some classes than when M. will be in school parttime? I wouldn't be able to get a job for that short of a period of time, and there are a few Universities that are 15 minutes away...
So I sent for a transcript evaluation at UW-Milwaukee (closest, and cheapest for an undergrad degree--which this would be. No one would hire me right off the bat with a graduate degree and no experience teaching Math!)
My transcript evaluation came today and I'm quite disappointed.
I *did* get credit for my computer and Physics classes, as well as many of my Education courses. But things I'd still need to do/take are:
12 credits of Calculus (3 semesters)
Math 341--Intro to Lang. & Practice (3 cr.)
Math 431 or 531--Modern Algebra (3 cr.)
Math 451 or 453--Axiomatic or Transf. Geo. (3 cr.)
3 credits of Statistics
6 credits of C&I Teaching Strategies
2 credits of student teaching
Yikes... 32 credits. Let's see, at current rates (and it would go up since I wouldn't be able to start till next summer at the EARLIEST), that's over $10,000.
:(
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6 comments:
I understand how that disappointment feels after being so hopeful about something.
Things will work out. Let me know if you want to start up a coffee and tea shop or something. ;-)
My experience, when I did this in California, was that the private colleges tended to be much more generous in what they accepted... of course, it costs more to go there, so it may wind up costing you a little more, but it would be faster.
There are also LOTS of loan forgiveness programs for teachers, and secondary math is one of the areas that qualifies... here's some info:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/highered/guid/secletter/060301a.html
I was actually considering tecahing for a few years just to get my loans forgiven....
Yup, I'm with Dar. That's how Rob did it, private university and tuition forgiveness. He had to teach at Catholic schools for five years, but he had a great time. There are other programs with other deals.
Also, what about community college for some units? Or do you need a minimum number of units at the uni?
Take this unsolicited advice in the spirit intended, from an old person applying to school at an advanced age. Don't decide not to do things you really want to do just because they cost a lot up front to do. $10K is nuttin' per month if you're paying student loans. Doing what you want to for a living? Priceless.
Well, I'm sure you'll figure it out in some way that works best for you all. I applaud you for moving along!
:( That's a bummer, but $10K for 32 credits is an awesome deal (that would cost about $32K here). It might be worth it in the long run. Maybe you could call the financial aid office to see what options they have?
Wow, that's a lot of extra work. I hope you get it figured out. We all need teachers, especially experienced dedicated ones like yourself!
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