Expert: Bonnie Shimmin - 10/8/2009

Question
QUESTION: Due to impediments I had to stop the pursuit of a single subject credential in mathematics with the completion of just two curriculum and instructio classes after my bachelors.  I can not continue because I have beem permanently disqualified for more financial aid (not because of low GPA).
Do you know if it is possible for me to get a job with just what I have?
Respectfully,  Andres R.


ANSWER: Dear Andres,

In California (and no doubt with the same sort of test in other states) you can take the CBEST test and if you pass, you can substitute teach in most places in the state.  Without a credential (or being enrolled in a program) you cannot get a full time job.  Right now, even people with completed credentials and experience, can have trouble getting full time  positions.  The only suggestions I have for immediate full time employment in education are to try for a position in a private school or to seek a teacher's credential program in a low cost state college.  This is a very hard time to obtain employment in any area, so if you really want to teach, it's important to completely finish your education.

Good Luck,
Bonnie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much for your answer.  It seems to be intuitively clear that at this time all positions in private schools are taken. Now, it happens that my disability impairs me functionally when doing new interactive quests, and so, before I start to seek a substitute teaching position (I have passed the CBEST test), I would appreciate information, or at least your guess, about the amount of income that I would earn if launching a not very lucky substitute teaching position.

Respectfully,  Andres R.

Answer
Dear Andres,

I substitute taught many years ago after my children were born.  I signed up in several nearby school districts and was able to get work almost every day.  That may be different now because there are so many people who need the work.  I would imagine you could work at least three days a week at about $150 a day for individual days as long as the schools left good reports about your work.  On your first day at a school, it's always important to greet the principal or other administrator and the other teachers in a friendly (though not effusive) way.  You should also make sure that all elements of the lesson plans left for you are completed well.  Finally, it's important to leave a message for the teacher, to let him or her know just what happened during the day.  If the teachers are pleased with your work, you will be requested more often.   You would make more money if you could land a "long term" job.  Big cities like L.A. or San Diego would obviously have the greatest need for subs.

Best,
Bonnie