AboutJames J. Kovalcin Expertise I am teaching or have taught AP physics B and C [calculus based mechanics & electricity and magnetism] as well as Lab Physics for college bound students. I have a BS in Physics from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Arts in Teaching from same. I have been teaching physics for 27 years.
Question Hi,
I have always loved math and am 37 now. I have a B.S. and M.S in mathematics as well as an M.S. in electrical engineering. I scored 800 on the SAT and also the GRE exam, although they do not have records of this since it was over 10 years ago. For the last 10 years, I have been an electrical engineer. It pays very well and I have a steady job. However, I would like to give something back. I have no teaching credential, and I know that there would be a huge cut in salary becoming a teacher, but it what I always really wanted to do. I have 3 kids now, so do not think it would be practical to take 2 years off to get a credential, especially if I had no assurance that I had a teaching job lined up. I would prefer to teach at the high school level, and perhaps I could teach physics too. What would you suggest that I do if I want to pursue this?
Answer First the good news! In some states [such as New Jersey where I live] there are programs designed exactly for people like you! In NJ it is called the "alternate route". With this approach it is possible to get into the classroom with minimal class work. The program in NJ requires a summer program [I think it is 6 weeks long or so] preceding the school year plus an additional 100 hours of classroom work during the first school year. You would also be assigned a "mentor" to help you through the first year. I principle this is an excellent doorway for prospective teachers. The negative of the program is that you must first find a school district willing to sponsor you as a alternate route teacher [not that difficult in math!]. You would also have to take appropriate content area tests called the Praxis Tests.
The more limiting factor for you might be the NCLB federal law which requires that to teach in a particular area REQUIRES a bachelors degree in the appropriate subject area. This is no problem for you in the mathematics area, but it might be a big problem in the physics area. Yes, I know that engineering is usually physics from stem to stern, but trying to convince state regulators that you are qualified might prove to be problematic.
The following site has links to all 50 state's teaching requirements! http://www.uky.edu/Education/TEP/usacert.html
