New teacher with no teaching experience--how/when are they trained?

[Anonymous]

I saw that one of my kid's HS teachers is brand new to the school, and from a quick google search I learned that they are also brand new to teaching, and have no education degrees, but do have a masters in another field. I am just wondering about how they would have been trained on the MCPS curricula, classroom management skills, school policies and procedures, etc. Would this have happened over the summer? I'm not trying to be critical of them, I just don't understand how this all works for people who don't come out of education degree programs. Thanks for any insight.

[Anonymous]

They attend new teacher orientation where they learn about the district and district policies. Also they should have a teaching degree which includes classes and student teaching with supervision. There are also requirements for MD certification.

[Anonymous]

Generally these folks are enrolled in a career changer teacher education program.

[Anonymous]

They may have taken or currently be enrolled in a teacher-certification course for professionals switching careers. You may not have had access to this information from your "quick google search."

[Anonymous]

Is this a private school? Public school teachers have to be certified teachers. Private schools often will hire teachers without the typical certification as they don't have the same rules

[Anonymous]

Oh sorry I saw this on recent topics and didn't read well, clearly struggling today with comprehension. At least in VA teachers have to be certified and I would assume the same for MCPS..

[Anonymous]

There are career switch programs that provide training, some of which have the training while the teacher is also in a classroom.

My kid had one such teacher last year and she was INCREDIBLE. All the excitement and enthusiasm of a new teacher with the confidence and maturity of a middle aged woman - it was a winning combination. My DD went from hating that subject despite strong grades to exploring majoring/careers in it. I am sure there are other less good stories, but it can be awesome.

[Anonymous]

I started in MCPS as a career changer with absolutely no teaching or education experience. I even missed the new teacher orientation because my hiring was not official until the weekend before the first day of school. The first year was brutal for me (not for the kids). I felt like I was working 80 hour weeks trying to get everything figured out and MCPS training felt like more of a hindrance than helpful. The kids were surprised at the end of the year when I told them this was my first year of teaching. Career changers tend to be more mature and can generally keep it together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are career switch programs that provide training, some of which have the training while the teacher is also in a classroom.

My kid had one such teacher last year and she was INCREDIBLE. All the excitement and enthusiasm of a new teacher with the confidence and maturity of a middle aged woman - it was a winning combination. My DD went from hating that subject despite strong grades to exploring majoring/careers in it. I am sure there are other less good stories, but it can be awesome.

This is great to know, thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I started in MCPS as a career changer with absolutely no teaching or education experience. I even missed the new teacher orientation because my hiring was not official until the weekend before the first day of school. The first year was brutal for me (not for the kids). I felt like I was working 80 hour weeks trying to get everything figured out and MCPS training felt like more of a hindrance than helpful. The kids were surprised at the end of the year when I told them this was my first year of teaching. Career changers tend to be more mature and can generally keep it together.

Wow, that does sound brutal. Good for you for taking it on. So did you just learn the curriculum like the night before you had to teach it, across the semester?

[Anonymous]

It's not a unique situation - about 40% of the new hires in MCPS teaching positions for this upcoming year have no experience (447 out of 1,078). Between MCPS training and prior education classes, the new teachers make do.

[Anonymous]

Many teachers are hired on conditional certifications. They have a certain amount of time to complete the requirements. All they need is a bachelor’s degree. Soon I’m sure it will only be a high school diploma. My friend teaches in another state and said they now hire people with only HS diplomas who are at least 21 to teach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many teachers are hired on conditional certifications. They have a certain amount of time to complete the requirements. All they need is a bachelor’s degree. Soon I’m sure it will only be a high school diploma. My friend teaches in another state and said they now hire people with only HS diplomas who are at least 21 to teach.

This. Most are getting an online masters while teaching. And they have a teacher to supervise and observe them throughout the first year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I started in MCPS as a career changer with absolutely no teaching or education experience. I even missed the new teacher orientation because my hiring was not official until the weekend before the first day of school. The first year was brutal for me (not for the kids). I felt like I was working 80 hour weeks trying to get everything figured out and MCPS training felt like more of a hindrance than helpful. The kids were surprised at the end of the year when I told them this was my first year of teaching. Career changers tend to be more mature and can generally keep it together.

I also started as a career changer. The first year was rough, but I doubt my students noticed. I agree that career changers are more mature and they come with a lot of life experience. I found classroom management came quite naturally to me.
The chaos was behind the scenes. I easily worked 70 or more hours each week so I could appear prepared and confident in the classroom.

I’m now starting my 19th year teaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I saw that one of my kid's HS teachers is brand new to the school, and from a quick google search I learned that they are also brand new to teaching, and have no education degrees, but do have a masters in another field. I am just wondering about how they would have been trained on the MCPS curricula, classroom management skills, school policies and procedures, etc. Would this have happened over the summer? I'm not trying to be critical of them, I just don't understand how this all works for people who don't come out of education degree programs. Thanks for any insight.

Most teachers do not have a degree in education. You should be thankful that someone is your child's teacher, somebody step up to be in a profession where they are over worked and underpaid. First year teacher usually have a mentor, a veteran teacher who has taught for many years.