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I'm in Virginia and currently looking at alternate certification. In what subjects would I be most likely to get motivated students? Physics comes to mind, but what about others? I don't mind teaching a difficult subject or two.
Could be any subject. I teach elementary students in Virginia. Some are very motivated when we do math. Others would love to read all day of they could. Some get excited to write stories. My goal is to motivate across the board.
I'd be open to teaching elementary kids, but I've heard that it's hard to get hired at that level.
I was thinking with Physics at the high school level that I'd get students with at least a decent level of math skills and some motivation to take a class they don't absolutely have to in order to graduate.
I'd be open to teaching elementary kids, but I've heard that it's hard to get hired at that level.
I was thinking with Physics at the high school level that I'd get students with at least a decent level of math skills and some motivation to take a class they don't absolutely have to in order to graduate.
Sounds good to me. Advanced science should do the trick-maybe Chemistry too.
I love Chemistry (should have majored in it) and I speak German fluently, so those look like two good options.
I'm a bit surprised if someone can graduate from high school without taking Chemistry.
Based on my son's experience, in high school I would say computers. Everyone in your class is there because they want to be as it's an elective. Most unmotivated dimwits won't consider taking these courses due to the level of difficulty. Also, by teaching this you can avoid the constant intrusion of mandatory testing, pressure to teach to the bottom of the class, and unending reports to administration.
well, languages....German, Japanese, Mandarin, etc. Except Spanish or Portuguese.
Maybe. We had Japanese for a couple years. Because the classes were under enrolled they became classes kids were parachuted into when they had a hole in their schedules. More cream of the crap than cream of the crop.
Any elective will likely get you more motivated students but, again, they will often become hole fillers for Guidance to place students they have to stash somewhere. This is especially true if you have a large number of 5th and 6th year Seniors who've pretty much taken every class offered to try to graduate them.
It may be unrealistic to expect to walk in with an alternate route certificate and expect to immediately teach upper level, high achieving students unless it's a class no one wants to teach. Like Physics.
I'd be open to teaching elementary kids, but I've heard that it's hard to get hired at that level.
I was thinking with Physics at the high school level that I'd get students with at least a decent level of math skills and some motivation to take a class they don't absolutely have to in order to graduate.
What is your degree in? Do you already have coursework completed in science? In my experience, alt cert teachers (who are required to complete a probationary year in many states before being granted a true certificate like a regular first year teacher) are usually plugged into holes no one else wanted to fill. Which is okay. It's a foot in the door. But the idea that you're going to go into this and be handed the best and most motivated students... may be unrealistic.
Every teacher on campus wants the best and most motivated students. At all the schools I taught in, those classes were given out in two ways. Most commonly: divided up so that everyone in the department taught one honors level class, two advanced classes, and 3 regular level classes. Or, those desirable classes like physics or honors courses were given to teachers with advanced degrees, seniority on campus, and many years of teaching experience. With courses like Physics, many schools are looking for someone with the expertise to help students place well on AP exams. Alt cert teachers are usually somewhere below regular first year teachers in terms of knowledge and classroom skills because their they haven't been through the same breadth of training.
Last edited by kitkatbar; 09-22-2019 at 10:02 AM..
I would not go in expecting to teach exclusively high level motivated students in your first 3-5 years, most schools are going to ask you to pay your dues. Best case scenario expect 1 AP with several Freshman or remedial courses in your first year.
Edit: also publicly projecting the attitude that you only want to teach advanced students isn't going to go over well with most education professionals.
Last edited by history nerd; 09-22-2019 at 01:59 PM..
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