1 / 22

Think You Want to Be a Teacher?

Think You Want to Be a Teacher?. Presented by: The College of Education and Human Development George Mason University SPRING 2009 Please sign in at the door and help yourself to information. Teachers are Nation Builders.

odakota
Download Presentation

Think You Want to Be a Teacher?

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Think You Want to Be a Teacher? Presented by: The College of Education and Human Development George Mason University SPRING 2009 Please sign in at the door and help yourself to information.

  2. Teachers are Nation Builders “A teacher affects eternity; they can never tell where their influence stops.” ~Henry Adams

  3. Why would you want to become a teacher? • Make a Difference • Change Lives • Engage Minds • Touch the future (Intel) • It’s a good profession • Fulfilling • Stable • Benefits • Opportunities for growth

  4. Licensure: the initial designation from the state of Virginia Endorsement: Designation on the license noting ages or grade levels and/or subjects, disciplines and disabilities Definitions Example: I am licensed to teach secondary education, grades 6-12, math

  5. Steps to LicensureIn Virginia • Bachelor’s Degree • Content/endorsement requirement course work • Praxis I passing scores or SAT/ACT equivalent scores (admission requirement) • Complete a state-approved program • Praxis II passing scores (Elementary, Secondary, Foreign Language) • Pass Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) • Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA) (Special Ed, Reading specialists, Elementary, UTEEM, EPK-3) • ACTFL OPI and WPT (Foreign Language) These requirements meet Virginia’s definition of a highly qualified teacher.

  6. Will my Virginia teacher’s license “transfer” to other states? Because Virginia has some of the highest teacher licensure requirements in the country, many states have agreed to offer “reciprocity.” Licensure FAQ’s Virginia has reciprocity with most states. If you are considering teaching in another state, you will need to contact the department of education in that state regarding how to obtain licensure.

  7. What is a Provisional License? A three-year, non-renewable license for someone who does not hold a current, valid license. An applicant must first be hired by a Virginia school division based on the content requirements for the teaching area for which the individual is applying. Licensure FAQ’s

  8. The Virginia Department of Education has identified several critical shortage teaching areas. 2007-2008 shortage areas vary by geographical areas, i.e. specific to divisions or rural/urban areas. Special Education Elementary Education Mathematics Middle Grades 6-8 Career and Technical Education Foreign Language Health and PE English ESL Counselor Critical Shortage Areas in Virginia

  9. The Graduate School of Education offers a variety of teacher licensure programs. Many also offer an optional master’s degree upon completing licensure coursework. Early Childhood Education (PK-3) ECE PK-3, ECE UTEEM, EC Special Education Elementary Education (PK-6) Secondary Education (6-12) Special Education ESL (PK-12) Foreign Language (PK-12) Secondary Education/Career Switcher program (6-12) English, History, Math, Sciences (Biology, Earth Science, Physics) Mason’s Teacher Licensure Programs

  10. Research program information on the GSE website: gse.gmu.edu Note that GSE programs have varying application deadlines for fall and spring Complete online endorsement review -http://cehd.gmu.edu/teacher/endorse/. Submit unofficial transcripts to the Licensure Specialist for evaluation of content endorsement requirements and for information regarding CLEP exams. Email: endorse@gmu.edu Foreign Language endorsements are handled by Nanette Rutsch - nrutsch@gmu.edu What should I do before applying?

  11. A complete application includes: Graduate application Official transcripts Goal statement Three letters of recommendation Passing Praxis I test scores or SAT/ACT equivalent Endorsement review Additional program specific materials, where appropriate (http://gse.gmu.edu/programs/) How do I apply?

  12. Your application will be evaluated using the following standards: A minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credit hours Praxis I composite score of at least 532 OR SAT/ACT equivalent Strong letters of recommendation Endorsement requirements fulfilled Interview and writing sample also required by some programs How do I get admitted?

  13. Praxis Tests • Praxis I consists of reading, writing and math sections • A composite score of 532 or SAT/ACT equivalent is required • Praxis II tests content knowledge (i.e., math, history, Spanish) • Both tests must be passed in order to be placed in your final internship

  14. The test is administered by the Educational Testing Service www.ets.org/praxis Register for the Praxis I and II exams at the website above OR Call Prometric at 1-800-853-6773 to register for a test at a local testing center Sample questions can be seen at the Praxis Web site. Praxis Tests

  15. SAT test taken after April 1,1995 Score=1100 Minimum 530 Verbal and 530 Math SAT test taken before April 1, 1995 Score=1000 Minimum 450 Verbal and 510 Math SAT Praxis I Equivalent Scores

  16. ACT Praxis I Equivalent Scores • ACT test taken after April 1,1995 Score=24 Minimum 22 (Math)/ 46 (English plus Reading) • ACT test taken before April 1, 1995 Score=21 Minimum 21 (Math)/ 37 (English plus Reading) ** ACT scores prior to Fall 1989 will not be accepted as the Reading score was not included before this time.

  17. VCLA/VRA Tests VCLA • The Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) must be passed prior to internship application submission for all initial teacher licensure programs - http://www.va.nesinc.com/. (VCLA is an admissions requirement for the Career Switcher program) • A total test score of at least 470 is passing for the VCLA. VRA • The Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA) must be passed prior to internship application submission for Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Special Education - http://www.va.nesinc.com/. • A test score of at least 235 is passing for the VRA.

  18. What if I miss the application deadline? • For some of our programs, you may begin taking courses as a non-degree student. • There are restrictions on how many classes can transfer into degree/certificate programs. Students should only be in non-degree status for one semester before beginning as a graduate student. Tel: 703.993.2400 Website: http://admissions.gmu.edu/nondegree/

  19. When do classes meet? • Most classes will meet once a week, either at 4:30 pm or 7:20 pm • Full time programs offer courses that meet during the day • Summer session courses meet 2-3 times a week

  20. Fall 2008/Spring 2009 In-state tuition: $371/credit hour Out-of-state tuition: $929.50/credit hour What is the cost? To be classified as an “in-state” student, you must live in Virginia for one year and pay taxes to the state for one year.

  21. The Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program For students pursuing teaching careers in shortage or critical needs areas For more information, read about the scholarship program on the VDOE website: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/newvdoe/teached.html General financial aid information can be found at: http://financialaid.gmu.edu/ Are there any scholarships available?

  22. Important Contacts • GSE Admissions: 703 993 2010 gseadmit@gmu.edu • Financial Aid: 703 993 2353 • Non-Degree: 703 993 2400 College of Education and Human Development 4400 University Drive, MS 4D1 Fairfax, VA 22030

More Related