I really don’t understand this. NP here. I’m in Northern VA. What would a teacher with 25 years of experience switch to that would even come close to being a substitute for salary, benefits and retirement? |
NP here. I’d recommend switching within teaching. Technology teacher, ESL, resource, gifted pullouts, anything where you are not the main classroom teacher. |
|
DW and I have looked into a few of these. Our district (FCPS) doesn't have technology teachers, but I guess the closest thing would be the school based tech specialist. Wouldn't ESL require an additional degree? An advanced academic resource teacher (AART) does the gifted pullouts (and a lot more) and requires an additional certification or endorsement. I have the endorsement, but to get a position as an AART you need to teach a number of years in an AAP classroom. |
I’m in Loudoun. We have a tech teacher in each ES. ESL requires something but they are so hard up they allow you to teach provisionally until you finish it. I am SAHM looking to go back and my 5th grade teacher friend says ESL is the best kept secret. Resource is a great gig too but requires Sped endorsement. Another friend is AART in FFx and loves it. |
Does the teach teacher teach classes? In my building we don't have someone to teach computer classes and we don't have a computer lab. Computers are scarce. Our resource positions such as math resource don't require a Sped endorsement, but there aren't many of them and I get the feeling they usually hire from the younger set, but that seems to be a good option. Remember, we are talking about someone with 25 years of teaching so by the time that person gets the AAP endorsement and teaches 3-5 years in an AAP classroom, he/she will be pretty darn close to retiring anyhow. |
Yes, in Loudoun tech is a special (1x a week) and teaches classes. We have a comp lab. We also have 2 FT resource teachers, ours are in their 40’s. I’m just throwing out options in general. I agree at 25 years you may be stuck until retirement. |
That’s great that you have those resources in LCPS! We don’t have those at my FCPS ES. |
New poster. I'm a special education coordinator. Children who assault other children or staff do not have the right to do so. Legally they do not. School staff and students have the right to safety. Any child who is in an educational setting where they are harming others needs a different placement as long as the appropriate steps have been followed (ie, FBA, BIP) and if they have an IEP, the IEP has been met. If after all those things, the student is still harming others, staff members have a right to call a meeting and request either other steps to be put in place or to revisit placement. To the OP: I recommend calling a meeting. Put it in writing that you are afraid for your safety or the safety of your students (and if a 100 pound student is throwing things around the room, you should be afraid, you or a student could be injured). That alone should get some traction. If your principal or sped coordinator won't help, try the superintendent. I see you've already done that though. Go to the school board. If that doesn't work, go to the state. I'm serious. Either the school needs to provide more support or the district needs to help the child find an alternate setting such as an ED/BD room or a cross cat room or something. Good luck to you. |
Keep calm & go swimming. Around 9:00 take Magnesium. |
I became an ESOL teacher and you just need to take and pass the ESOL Praxis since it is an endorsement on your current teaching certificate. I also took grad classes in ESOL. It is easier than classroom teaching because you don't have a classroom but there is a lot of paperwork at the beginning and end of the year. I would recommend it! |
I'm a big fan of therapy whenever one needs it. It can't hurt and it might help. I recommend therapy and exercise. Talk to your doctor and your therapist and if they recommend meds, try them for a while. I cannot believe what teachers have to deal with. You are educators not psychiatrists! |
I taught a similar class. I am so sorry. I am getting stressed just reading your story. Consider taking medical leave. You will take a financial hit this year, but you may still be able to retire at the time you were planning, depending on how long a break you take. Call your union tomorrow to ask about options. Will the kids get less? Yes. But that is not your fault or problem. |
How did your colleague 15 years in go on mental health leave? I don't think I can make it until the end of the school year with what is going on in life. |
I teach in a Loudoun elementary school. Many of my colleagues are on anti anxiety and/or anti depression meds as a result of lack of admin support, parents, etc. People have no idea. |