Teacher certification

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all news to me! I have a doctorate in education and have applied to multiple teaching jobs at MCPS and have not received a single interview. I've been told directly by MCPS central office staff that I will need to do another year of schooling to get a license if I want to work.

Look into the ACET program at Montgomery College. It’s an accelerated certification program in partnership with MCPS. They are taking applications for the next cohort right now. (And that’s the program that Gov. Moore sent funding to add a Feds-to-Eds cohort last summer).

yes, I have spoken with ACET. I was hoping that some of my credits from my doctoral program might count so that I could pay less for the program and move more quickly into teaching but I was told I would have to take the full ACET program - even though I have literally taught some of the courses myself at higher education institutions. It is very frustrating and doesn't seem financially smart, given how much I already paid for my doctoral degree (paid off, fortunately). I'd just really like to teach as a second career.

Yes. It’s super frustrating but it’s what public school in MD requires of its teachers. It’s too bad MCPS doesn’t do have an in house program like PGCPS.

Public school and higher education won't require certification.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all news to me! I have a doctorate in education and have applied to multiple teaching jobs at MCPS and have not received a single interview. I've been told directly by MCPS central office staff that I will need to do another year of schooling to get a license if I want to work.

Look into the ACET program at Montgomery College. It’s an accelerated certification program in partnership with MCPS. They are taking applications for the next cohort right now. (And that’s the program that Gov. Moore sent funding to add a Feds-to-Eds cohort last summer).

yes, I have spoken with ACET. I was hoping that some of my credits from my doctoral program might count so that I could pay less for the program and move more quickly into teaching but I was told I would have to take the full ACET program - even though I have literally taught some of the courses myself at higher education institutions. It is very frustrating and doesn't seem financially smart, given how much I already paid for my doctoral degree (paid off, fortunately). I'd just really like to teach as a second career.

Yes. It’s super frustrating but it’s what public school in MD requires of its teachers. It’s too bad MCPS doesn’t do have an in house program like PGCPS.

Public school and higher education won't require certification.

Oops. Private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is all news to me! I have a doctorate in education and have applied to multiple teaching jobs at MCPS and have not received a single interview. I've been told directly by MCPS central office staff that I will need to do another year of schooling to get a license if I want to work.

What subject are you wanting to teach? And ES, MS or HS?
Some subjects tend to have more openings than others. Very difficult to get hired as a PE teacher or a dance or theatre teacher. Try to get hired as a probationary teacher and then work on the credentials on the side

[Anonymous]

The sad thing is that they make you jump through so many hoops for no reason. I was hired as a probationary teacher and went directly into teaching. Had to do all the certification classes on the side while teaching full time. Also had to take multiple praxis exams. Most of the certification stuff was busy work. It didn’t help me at all. I think it mostly exists to keep university education departments in business. The certification courses could all be condensed into 3 months

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all news to me! I have a doctorate in education and have applied to multiple teaching jobs at MCPS and have not received a single interview. I've been told directly by MCPS central office staff that I will need to do another year of schooling to get a license if I want to work.

Look into the ACET program at Montgomery College. It’s an accelerated certification program in partnership with MCPS. They are taking applications for the next cohort right now. (And that’s the program that Gov. Moore sent funding to add a Feds-to-Eds cohort last summer).

yes, I have spoken with ACET. I was hoping that some of my credits from my doctoral program might count so that I could pay less for the program and move more quickly into teaching but I was told I would have to take the full ACET program - even though I have literally taught some of the courses myself at higher education institutions. It is very frustrating and doesn't seem financially smart, given how much I already paid for my doctoral degree (paid off, fortunately). I'd just really like to teach as a second career.

Yes. It’s super frustrating but it’s what public school in MD requires of its teachers. It’s too bad MCPS doesn’t do have an in house program like PGCPS.

Public school and higher education won't require certification.

Oops. Private school.

Depends on the private school. Catholic schools, for example, often require that you are certified or that you are working toward certification

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The sad thing is that they make you jump through so many hoops for no reason. I was hired as a probationary teacher and went directly into teaching. Had to do all the certification classes on the side while teaching full time. Also had to take multiple praxis exams. Most of the certification stuff was busy work. It didn’t help me at all. I think it mostly exists to keep university education departments in business. The certification courses could all be condensed into 3 months

What is it you wanted help with? It just introduces the basics… Every school or cert program is a bit different but you really don’t “learn” until you are in the classroom. And then it’s constant PD. It. Never. Ends. FYI - Moreland was 9 months when I went there years ago and I felt prepared. Classroom management is not something that can be taught though. You have to be integrated in a classroom to really learn that skill. And even then your techniques can change if you switch grades levels or subject matter. And if you have a horrible admin….then your job becomes an absolute nightmare. It’s hard going from industry or corporate to MCPS. They operate on their own bandwidth and professional behaviors you expect from superiors is non-existent. Just my personal experience.

[Anonymous]

What did you study for your PhD? If it is science or math related, there are several openings currently posted in MCPS careers (as of a week ago). I would strongly consider subbing to get an idea of the age group you want to teach. It may be beneficial to look at the available job openings, email the principals and ask to set up a 10-20 minute meeting — not as job interviews but to ask for feedback. It may open some doors for future employment. You could also speak with the hiring dept but my experience with MCPS leads me to believe it’s much easier to get your foot in the door if you have a direct connection. If you have kids in MCPS, you could also ask to meet with their principal.

If finances are not a concern, try to get hired as a para as a way to get to know the staff and admin. I would also consider tutoring on the side. You could start as a tutor under an existing company, and if it resonates with you, branch out on your own.

And yes, I agree, there are way too many hoops to jump through just for certification! I’ve seen multiple paras that are more than qualified and have good classroom management (and have MA degrees), and have also experienced the opposite — fully certified teachers who are little more than a warm body occupying the space.