bueno

Hi Guys

I just wanted to know what the process was if I wanted to take a career break from finance and get into teaching in the US. I currently hold a CELTA (AKA TEFL)

I also hold a finance degree from the U.K. but was wondering if they had a PGCE type thing (whereby you can use your existing degree as a springboard to a career in teaching) and how much it would cost. Also what is the average salary of a teacher in NYC/NJ?

Cheers

penguinsix

Do you have a visa or a green card?

Start here:
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA

bueno

yep 10 yr greencard

penguinsix

Ok, that's a good start. I now see by some other threads that it looks like you are already here (you know about the green card abandonment issues if you are out of the US for a certain period of time).

The teaching certification process of each state varies (like so much else in the USA). Have you been through the NJ process?

http://www.state.nj.us/education/educators/license/
http://www.state.nj.us/education/edu.../applicant.htm

Generally it's a great deal of classroom work in the field (i.e. so many hours of math and education courses before being certified) but it appears there are some alternative routes to teaching.

Have you looked into Teach for America?

http://www.teachforamerica.org/

They have some interesting opportunities. You might also want to check the religious schools in your area (predominantly Catholic schools) as I believe the requirements for teaching in a religious school are more relaxed than those for teaching in a public school.

Unfortunately, there's been quite a number of layoffs recently and there are more teachers than jobs in most parts of the USA. Have you considered spending a year off getting a Masters degree or studying for a PhD in something? You might be able to get scholarships and assistance such that it isn't very costly and spending a few years hanging in Uni might be more enjoyable than a few years in elementary school, if you are just looking for a break.

Hoolie

Try the NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) job site - http://careers.nais.org/search.cfm. They usually don't care about state certification. The CELTA might help - I too have that - although it is generally more useful outside the US. Your finance degree, if it means you could teach maths, could be your strongest asset.