Hello! My husband leaves for RTC on the 17th of this month.

I am a total wreck. I am beginning to think this is the worst decision ever. (I am being selfish).

I just finished my student teaching and I want to start teaching in August. I live in Texas.

I worked so hard to get my certification here and I was wondering if there are any other teachers out there - and how dificult it is to take the certifications test for the other states.

I am trying to figure out if I should move to Groton when I can because that is where he is going to A - school. His rate is SECF.

I am just at a loss of what to do??

I wish there was someone out there that would tell me this is all going to be alright.

Thanks

If you know where he will be assigned next school year (you said Groton is the tech school but how long will he be there?) and you want a full time teaching job there, it would probably be a good idea to plan to move there before school starts. I know someone who is a teacher and when she moved midyear, she had difficulty finding a job and ended up working at Sylvan as a teacher until the next school year. Of course, moving yourself ahead of time might not be financially worth it, but you would have to crunch your numbers to figure that out.

It probably depends on the school district as well (and what you are certified to teach). The example I gave was a city where the local state college produced a lot of elementary education graduates.

About certifiying in a diff state, I don't know the answer to that. You may wish to contact the state board of education for that state.

Good luck and welcome!

Here's a thought...

I have a friend who finished her education and certification in NY in December and then hubby was stationed in CO the next February. She didn't do her certification in CO, rather she got a job on post in youth development. There are plenty of non-teaching jobs that would fit really well with your education... so you could also consider what else you can use your degree for.

I also had a friend kind in the same situation. She moved in the middle of the school year and had a hard time finding a job. She got hired as a subsitute until the end of the school year, where she then got a permanent position.

I haven't a clue about the certification. If I had to venture a guess it would have to be up to the school district/state you are moving to.

I will have to ask my friend. Maybe there is a period in which a certification from another state will work until you can get certified in the current state?

quote:

Originally posted by IAMANAVYWIFE:
I just finished my student teaching and I want to start teaching in August. I live in Texas.

Does Texas have reciprocity? I student taught in Ohio, then moved to VA with hubby. OH required Praxis II (I teach high school) - VA required Praxis I and II. The only thing I had to do was take the Praxis I and fill out the Virginia application and attach my OH certification. I was able to do all of it while teaching my first year as well, so I wasn't out of a job. As for moving - how long will he be there? If not long, can you substitute instead if you want to be with him?

I don't know what CT rules are on reciprocity (guess I should learn since I'm sure we'll end up there soon).

Just asked hubby - he said that A-school can be anything from 12months to 18+ months, so I guess I would be inclined to move. I met hubby in the middle of his A-school that ended up taking him longer because he had extra time between his classes and then had surgery that pushed him back too. It's a hard choice. I had to leave my last school in the middle of the year due to a PCS, and chose not to work the rest of the year. In Groton there may be others in that position,so you may be able to find a job.

It will be OK! I would try calling the CT dept of education and just ask them about the reciprocity. I know the majority of states now have it (Mass doesn't I don't believe but I think many others do).

OK,I went on the CT Dept of Education site and searched reciprocity - this is what I found:
Connecticut does not have reciprocity with any other state - BUT....
Connecticut participates with several states in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement to accept candidates' state approved preparation programs from a regionally accredited institution, or a minimum of 27 months of successful, full-time experience, under a member state's valid Level II educator certificate appropriate to the subject area being requested. To be considered, the experience must be completed within seven years prior to the date of application for Connecticut certification. Please contact the Bureau of Educator Standards and Certification for the most current list of participating states and subject areas available. NOTE: The interstate agreement does not exempt candidates from degree, testing and/or experiential requirements applicable to the requested certification endorsement. Candidates from states that do not have an interstate agreement with Connecticut must meet all Connecticut course work and assessment requirements applicable to the certification endorsement requested.

Texas is one of the states that it has an agreement with for teachers. A Level II certificate is a certificate issued after completion of an approved program and all other requirements established by the member state, or after completing an alternative program; and all other requirements established by a member state. (I would assume this is what you have if you have done student teaching). They also require the Praxis I and II. I don't know what TX requires - maybe you have already taken these.

Out-of-state applicants, who qualify for certification except for passage of Connecticut assessments, may be issued a one-year non-renewable interim certificate with a deferral for the Praxis tests, provided that all other course work requirements have been met. To maintain certification and obtain subsequent certificates, the applicant must complete all required tests prior to the expiration date of the certificate.

Hope this helps!!! I'm not sure exactly what it means - but at least it's some info to start with. I THINK it means you will be able to start immediately, but I'm not positive.