| Hey Everybody:
First off I just want to thank everyone who posts so prolifically on these forums, as I have already gained such an incredibly vast treasure trove of knowledge about the whole Bluewave process/what its like to teach in England, etc... I think its awesome that there are people on here who are working so hard at teaching others for a paycheck, and yet would also take so much time to teach people online for free about what can be a pretty convoluted and confusing subject; teaching in another country!
Anyway--to all of you who regularly post relevant and thoughtful information here,thank you for taking the time out of your own hectic schedules to inform others about so much; I for one have spent the last two hours exploring these forums and feel thoroughly schooled, lol!
On to the main point of my post:
I am something of an "unconventional" college student, studying to teach history at the secondary level, with the goal of ultimately teaching History (Medieval Anglo-Saxon history specifically), one day at the professorial level. I am a stay at home dad during the day to three of the most precious students that I could ever hope to have the joy of teaching, then I work at night full time as a federal security officer while also attending school full time. My lovely wife is an angel in disguise who works hard during the day in her 9-5 job and then supports my dreams 24/7.
I just finished earning my AA degree in English with high honors (yea me!) from my local community college, and I am gearing up to begin taking classes at the University of Maryland University College towards a Bachelors degree in History, which I aim to have earned by this time next year.
I want to go on to earn my Masters and PhD degrees in Medieval History from York University, which is why it would be cool if I could secure a job teaching history at a secondary school somewhere close by and finance my education and life with my beloved wife and three kids in the UK at the same time!
My question is what everyone suggests that I should look into for an MA from the states that would help me to meet Bluewave's requirements and would hopefully in turn get me a job teaching in the UK that much sooner. Should I stick with history as the subject matter for my MA here, or should I try to get an MA in Education? Also, there are many different sub-types Masters of Education graduate degrees (for example UMUC has an MA of Education in Instructional Technology), so does that need to be an additional consideration? Finally, I am only able to attend classes in a distance learning environment, and while the schools that I mentioned are all nationally and regionally accredited, and while I plan on teaching here in the states for at least a year or so, I wasn't sure if my having earned my degrees via online learning would possibly negatively impact on my chances of being another Bluewave success story.
My apologies for the lengthiness of this post, here I am thanking you all for taking the time out of your own lives to respond to posts, and now I have just shortened your lifespan considerably with the extreme length of my post lol. ;)
Any suggestions or insights would be most welcomed and deeply appreciated; thanks and good luck to you all!
~Grey Pilgrim |
|
Hi there,
I'm afraid I wont be able to help you much as I'm a science teacher. However I don't believe it matters (when it comes to posting with Bluewave) HOW you get your teaching credentials as long as they are valid. It may affect things some when it comes to who is called for an interview and/or what questions are asked during the interview...but I'm afraid I'm not qualified to advise you which way to go. I just do not know nor even have a good guess.
All the best to you. It sounds very exciting.
Meli |
|
| Hi there! While I will be starting in the UK this fall, I can tell you this much. If you are seeking your Master in education, it doesn't really matter what branch/ type of education just have one. The real key here, though is making sure you get your license either during the rest of your undergraduate work or during your Master's program. If you are local to the DC area, then check out Mason's program for new teachers as well as GW. You will eventually have to student teach. Some programs will allow you to be your own student teacher. Ask around. They will be able to help you! Good luck! Teaching is a great gig if you can get it! |
|
Here I am with a lot of questions as well and am glad to see Grey Pilgrim with such a lengthy one as well. I'll try and keep mine a little shorter, though. I've seen a question about teachers' dress code in the UK, but no reply yet. I suppose schools will have different rules regarding this, but would like to know how formal it is in general. I don't want to walk around in shorts and t-shirts, but would like to wear what I have and not to have to splash out on a whole new wardrobe. How on earth do you get summer and winter clothes there on a plane without going overweight anyway??
Next very important question to me is whether you ever have time for a personal life. I've done some extensive research on schools' websites where interesting vacancies were advertised on TES and cannot imagine that, after all the planning, marking, getting to know a new education system, extra-curricular activities, etc. there is ever time to just find yourself, be a mother and enjoy a little bit of life and your family. Are there expectations of teachers during weekends as well, apart from preparing for the next week?
Meli, I find your advice really meaningful, especially since I'm a science teacher as well. I might still think of a few science questions for you.
In the meantime I'm looking for teachers from South Africa, especially those who went over as a family recently and any advice on that issue. Suppose by now it's longer already, so I'll stop for now. |
|
RE: dress code
I have asked a friend, and she says the dress code (at least at her comprehensive) is pretty similar to your basic public school in the US. Possibly less glamorous. But you'll get by with khakis and a work shirt, or a pair of dress pants and a button-down top or sweater. |
|
|
