Expert: Michael Wall Date: 3/30/2008 Subject: Requirement to be a New York City Math Teacher
Question QUESTION: Hello, I also am considering a change in careers. I would like to become a grammar school math teacher in a private school in New York City. I have a BS in Math and an MBA in Finance. What do I need to do to apply/get a math teacher job in a private grammar school in New York City?
ANSWER: Hello Justine,
The short answer may be nothing. But that is both far from the whole story, and not the best path to take in my opinion.
While I am not certified in New York, I can tell you that certification, while not required of private schools in New York State (unless they are licensed special ed schools), is best to have no matter where you teach. The state suggests (and it is the only way to know) that you ask the individual school. As it is, Math certification is not offered on the elementary level in New York (or most places I know.) Elementary Ed/Childhood Ed (state terms) is a more general field for math teachers. Very often (I remember this from my youth as well) one finds oneself a homeroom teacher who may teach two subjects and farm out kids/take in kids to get all subjects covered. If you are wanting a MATH career, you might consider middle school math (my background.) Middle school is not a cake walk, but teaching at any level isn't. (I just happen to believe that middle school has the greatest chance to change lives.) Check out http://eservices.nysed.gov/teach/certhelp/CertRequirementHelp.do#cfocus for certification options.
If your question is, "Why get certified if it isn't required to teach in independent schools?", I have lots of answers:
-Even those schools that don't require certs, prefer them.
-Certification does prepare you to teach, plain and simple.
-A math degree makes a mathematician, not a math teacher. There is a lot to lean about how to get the information you know into the minds of those you wish to inform, especially when they are at a radically younger age.
-You have many more options when certified. In addition to public schools in New York, there are 40 states that have some level of reciprocity agreements with New York. (See http://712educators.about.com/od/statecertification/p/newyorkcert.htm)
-Learning is fun, and you can make great contacts, develop a deeper portfolio of methods and resources, and know your craft more quickly than purely by trial and error.
By the way, if your school (the one at which you will teach) doesn't have a mentor program for teachers, find a teacher-mentor. They are invaluable!
Best of luck,
Michael
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you very much for your helpful answer!
I used the words "grammar school" in my question but really meant teaching math in any grade 1-9.
I used your first link to learn about the pathway for the approved teacher prep program. I have some questions relating to that.
Being that I want to teach in middle private school, would I go for an initial certification or professional certification? Do I have to decide that before beginning a educational program at the University?
I looked for programs in Manhattan using that link "completion of a NYS Registered Program - Mathematics Grades 5-9. There are 4 programs that perhaps would be options for me: Bank Street College, CUNY, NY Institute of Tech, Pace University. The first two programs say the professional accreditation is NCATE. The last two say nothing about that. Is it important for the school to be NCATE? Also, What degree would I go for being that I already have my BS in Math and MBA in Finance. Would I go for a MS or MSED? Each school offers different degrees.
I did not quite understand the Pathway: Individual Evaluation in the first link you sent me. It talks about college coursework (general core in Liberal arts and sciences, content core in Math and pedagogical core). Does the Bachelors Degree that I have cover this or are these additional courses? i assume the student teaching can be substitute teaching?
Would substitute teaching be one of my first steps? Would a school hire me with no prior teaching experience? If not, how do I get around that?
You mentioned a mentor program at the school that I will teach at. I do not know which school I will end up getting a job at. How do I go about finding a teacher-mentor in the meantime.
I hope I did not ask too many detailed questions!
Thank you in advance for your assistance!
Justine
Answer Hello again, Justine.
When I was certified in Massachusetts (my first state), they only had one level of certification. Now that state, along with most that I know of, New York included, START you with the initial in any case. So to get to professional in New York, you need the initial first anyway. (The college you use to get certified will have lots and lots of details and choices about what to persue, how fast, what counts for both, etc.) One of the sites I gave you last time tells us that the prereqs for professional are:
Hold a Valid Initial Certificate - Mathematics (Grades 5-9)
Additional Education - Masters Degree
Graduate Coursework Content Core - Mathematics - 12 S.H.
Paid, full-time Classroom Teaching experience - 3 Yrs
Mentored Experience - 1 Yrs
Workshop - Child Abuse Identification
Workshop - School Violence Intervention and Prevention
Fingerprint Clearance
Citizenship Status - INS Permanent Residence or U.S. Citizenship
You see that the first prereq is the initial certification. Different states require different kinds of Masters degrees for the professional. While I wouldn't assume the MBA will count (some states want a M.Ed, some one in Math), it is possible- just ask at the certification office at one of those colleges you are considering.
NCATE is the standard for programs in education. While there is a movement to change it (http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_n...) it is the one that counts now. I think you will find any state certifying institution will have NCATE. (Pace's site says "The programs of the School of Education (SOE) are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). " Best to ask, but okay to assume if you end up with the certificate.
Regarding the path, I think he first two areas (core and area) are covered or mostly covered by your degree (certification office will have the best list). Pedagogy is the how to teach, and I will assume you have no courses in that. Each college will have a list of required courses (e.g. Math education for middle grades), so just ask them for it. (i.e. for Pace:
=======================
Core Courses (12 credits)
ED 630 Human Development in the School Context 3 credits
ED 631 Educational Psychology 3 credits
ED 632 Language, Meaning and the Development of Global Perspectives in Diverse Schools 3 credits
ED 633 Foundations of Education 3 credits
Adolescent Track (9 credits)
ED 640 Second Methods: Learning to Teach 3 credits
ED 641-647 Second Methods: Making [Content] Meaningful 3 credits
ED 656 Literacy in the Content Area 3 credits
Capstone Experience (6 credits)
ED 692 Student Teaching in the Adolescent Classroom 6 credits 27 Total
======================
It's funny that you ask me about substituting counting for student teaching. Student teaching is different. It involves a mentor-type relationship of watch, discuss, try, evaluate, discuss, repeat-until-mastery. It isn't just the experience in the classroom. Also, in addition to the guidance and evaluation from the working teacher, there are the evaluations from a representative of the college certification program. (I have done this as well. Basically a rating of parts of a skill set. When you start to student teach, ask for a copy of the form they may use for classroom visits, and you will have a prep sheet!)
Different school systems and private schools have different standards for hiring subs. That is a question for each one when you register as a sub (or try to.) While it is edifying to substitute, it is not substitute for teacher education at all. I am not a shill for teacher-education programs. It is an amazing experience to learn about the WHY behind learning, and it makes for repeatable learning experiences for all levels of students. (That is a type of extra-basic definition of science after all, the ability to repeat something under the same conditions.)
The last question you had was about teacher-mentors. I would suggest meeting with principals and asking for suggestions for teachers who might be appropriate to meet with for informational interviews and possible mentor relationships. (Mentorship in vocational areas are normally for those IN the same profession, but I see nothing wrong with starting early!) If you do sub, or if you volunteer as a class aide, you will have the chance to meet teachers and propose a mentor-style relationship.
