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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]To 19:52-- what grade / subject do you teach? That is an awful lot of work for certification.

I did an alternative certification (think TFA, but a different program). Those programs have a lot of flaws, but this isn't the post for that. I took 2 or 3 tests total and got my masters during my first 2 years teaching. That's it. It was pretty manageable (well, getting it along w teaching was very rough, but the program itself was straightforward and unfortunately underwhelming).[/quote]

19:52 here...

I teach a self-contained class of 4 year old students with special needs (in VA). Prior to that I taught general ed PreK in MD. 
My kids needs vary from mild (developmental delays/speech delays) to severe (non ambulatory, ID students)

I have my Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education (that was a series of practicums, student teaching, 4 PRAXIS tests).
Then I have my Masters degree in Special Education (2 more PRAXIS tests, internship)

Then when I moved to VA I was given a provisional Early Childhood Special Education License. VDOE told me I need to complete 5 classes in Early Childhood Special Ed and their state reading test for full certification.

It's a lot...
If only I had one more year of teaching under my belt before moving to VA, then I wouldn't have to do the 5 classes and reading test. If only I knew that prior to moving to VA. I probably wouldn't have come to VA if I had known licensing would make me do that. Each of those 5 classes are about 1000 dollars each!!

My school district has a lot of low income students, and old toys/materials. I found toys from the 1960s when I started! So I've bought materials for my room even though I've tried to be conservative (I didn't even have stuff to teach letters or numbers when I started, so I bought magnetic letters, Handwriting without Tears supplies, dry erase boards, letter puppets). My district did buy some stuff for me but their pretty strapped. I try to make materials too but it's hard to find the time (my students are full-day, 5 days a week and due to their needs I stay with them for specials so no prep time for me). I end up doing planning/prepping/special ed paperwork at home most of the time  :( 
My parents also don't send in snacks...so I buy snacks out of my own pocket. Otherwise some of the kids will most likely not get dinner at home...

It's exhausting...and a lot...[/quote]

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