Expert: Bonnie Shimmin - 1/9/2010

Question
Hello Bonnie,
I live in the LA area and am looking to go back to school to earn my Master's in Education (I do not currently work in the Education field). My dream would be to teach Foreign Language (German), but I am also very interested in TESOL and the opportunity to gain dual certification if feasible. In my initial research, I've been hard pressed to find any grad programs in CA that cater to my goal of obtaining foreign language certification, especially in German. If my goal is to teach in California, would you recommend leaving the state to obtain my degree in foreign language, then returning to CA in search of employment, or focus on TESOL as there is a greater demand for that and many more grad programs in CA? Thank you in advance for your insight.

Answer
Dear Amy,

I think if you want to teach in California, it would be best to have an advanced degree from a college in this state because you'll need to get a teacher's credential at the same time and that only comes from a California school.  I would focus on TESOL just because you know you can be assured of a program (which is very close to what where your interests lie), and that usually means an "in" with local school districts.  

Do you have an undergraduate degree in German?  In order to teach anything in public secondary school (7-12) you must have an undergraduate degree or enough units to justify the ability to teach the subject.  Just being excellent in a subject does not allow one to teach it.  Credentialing rules are far more strict now than they were 20 years ago, so degrees are essential in any desired teaching area. It seems ridiculous to me that paperwork is more important than real skill, but that's how it is right now.  Does that sound too cynical?  I don't mean it to be; just realistic.  Of course private schools do not have that kind of stricture.  But generally, private schools pay much less than public ones.

All jobs are tight these days, and education is too, but as long as there are kids in this state, there will be teaching jobs.  I never had a dream job in education, and so worked at whatever came up.  And believe me, lots of things came up that I never expected and found myself enjoying.  This is not to say you should give up your dream; you shouldn't.  But if you begin in one area of education, you can usually see your way clear to reach your goal.

Yours,
Bonnie