They Sure Don't Make it Easy
Having decided teaching was my long term professional goal I set about the process of certification. It is an interesting but little known fact that those of us who have BA degrees in disciplines other than Education have to take additional courses to become certified as teachers in Tennessee's public schools. Correction, that is Tennessee's elementary and secondary public schools. A mere BA qualifies one to teach at the college level, be it community college or full-fledged university. But, one can't teach 6th grade without a certificate.
And, they sure don't make it easy. The advisor at UT Knoxville reviewed my transcript from U of Memphis and determined that I need to take Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Economics and Geography before I can begin taking any of the courses that contribute to the actual certification. My perception of U of Memphis as Tiger High is reinforced.
There is no fast track, either. One would think that someone of my age and background would be credited from some life experience in the process. Not so. It remains to slog determinedly through the freshman-level survey courses the State has determined are required to teach our munchkins the A-B-Cs and 1-2-3s.
The single positive aspect is that once all these requirements are completed, including a semester of student teaching, the certificate is awarded and I will be twelve hours shy of a Masters in Education. Twelve hours is four courses. That is two semesters for a lazy slug like me.
If you run the math, it's two semesters for the survey courses, two semesters for the Education courses, a semester of student teaching, and two semesters for the final twelve hours. I'll have my certificate in 2007. I'll have my MEd in 2008. If I live that long. Then, I'll be able to teach children. Like I'm not able at present!
posted by Uncle Al @ 11:32 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Hi,
Sounds like too many hoops to jump through. With commitment and fortitude, it will be accomplished one of these days---a day at a time. I will share, however, that I work at a Research 1 university and to be a tenure track faculty one must have an earned doctorate and to be adjunct or clinical track faculty one may have a master's degree. We do have teaching assistants that have a bachelor's degree, but they are not considered faculty. Good Luck in your endeavors.
Hi,
Sounds like too many hoops to jump through. With commitment and fortitude, it will be accomplished one of these days---a day at a time. I will share, however, that I work at a Research 1 university and to be a tenure track faculty one must have an earned doctorate and to be adjunct or clinical track faculty one may have a master's degree. We do have teaching assistants that have a bachelor's degree, but they are not considered faculty. Good Luck in your endeavors.
7:43 AM
I always admired your slogging ability. Go easy on the class clowns, please.
Red Head,
I, too, worked at a university. My point was that no education curricula is required to teach at post-secondary level. TAs are general grad students seeking advanced degrees.
Like most other employment, it depends on who you know. While there is a desire to hire only those with Masters or PhDs, if the search committee and dean of the college can be convinced, they can hire whomever they desire. Academic freedom. I only know this because I've seen it happen. But, you are right, it is extremely rare.
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