Initial certification question

Posted: Fri, Aug 10 2012, 1:28 pm Post subject: initial certification question

hi,
I just got my teacher's license. I was reading online that since I don't have any previous teaching experience I need to be mentored. Anyone go through this? What happens if you work in a private school? I'm not working right now and I'm a sahm and I really feel like I need to know what I just got myself into.

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 18 2010 Posts: 3017

What state are you in? Didn't you have to do some student-teaching to qualify for your license? That is supposed to be your experience and mentoring.

ny
of course I did my student teaching! The state website is very unclear. I was looking at the requirements on how to obtain my professional license. Being mentored sounded very different than student teaching! I would be so relieved if I knew that it was referring to student teaching. maybe I should call up my college and ask them?

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 18 2010 Posts: 3017

In NY, once you complete those requirements and take the tests, you get what's called a PROVISIONAL license. You then have 5 years to complete your PROFESSIONAL license, which requires, among other things, completing a masters degree. During that time, you are presumably teaching, and since you are still wet behind the ears, you will generally have a more senior teacher as a mentor during that time. I'm not sure if that mentoring is a requirement. But in any case, you have to actually work as a teacher to get a mentor.

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5879

If you're talking about NY, the mentoring requirement is if you work in a public school. I am 99% sure that if you are working elsewhere then it doesn't count. Don't take my word for it though because the education department here is so messed up that everyone you talk to tells a different story.

Morah, OP says she went the route of initial, not provisional. Slightly different requirements.

from what I read, private school teachers are exempt from the mentoring. and there is another exemption, that is if you complete 2 full years of teaching experience under the initial. so it seems that you would be more than covered.

additionally, if your school would like to provide you with a mentoring experience out of goodwill Smile

you can have them fill out this form http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/pdf/otmentoredexp.pdf

Gold Member Joined: Mar 18 2009 Posts: 1501

im in another state (CA) but last year, I did what you are asking about.

my choices were to
1) do a 5th year of study - masters program
2) BTSA program (thats what they call it by us which is 2 years of teaching with a mentor)

You are only permitted to do the 5th year of study if your school doesnt have BTSA program, basically most private schools.

I found a state school which provided the 5th year of study, I had to have my school (jewish school) sign a form stating they did not have a BTSA program, and then I took 6 classes online which included finding a mentor at my school who observed me and wrote something up after the 2 observations.

It was pretty simple and worked out well, I would assume that NY has some sort of version of this program so look into it.

op here,
thanks everyone for your replies!
I have another question for you guys.
I need 3 years full time experience in order to apply for my professional certification. but what if I work part time? How many hours does that translate into? Again, the state website is very unclear. If I have to, I will call up albany, but if someone on here went through the same thing I am going through, I would really appreciate the input!

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 11 2010 Posts: 3065

I'm in NJ. Going the traditional route, your standard certificate is enough and no mentoring is required. Alternate route teachers need one year of mentoring to convert from provisional to standard certification.

In either case, school districts are required to provide teachers new to the district with a mentor teacher for one year. Private schools are exempt.

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5879

Beginner Joined: Aug 02 2012 Posts: 15

groisamomma: I moved from NY to NJ this year and my new boss keeps bugging me about whether or not I need to be mentored, since I already taught in NY with my NY license/cert. Now that I am switching it to NJ and teaching here, do I need to be mentored? What do you mean by traditional and alternate route?

Thanks!

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 11 2010 Posts: 3065

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5879