Teachers/CA Residents/Both - How do you do it?

[The Mike]

LAUSD is one of the most mismanaged school districts in the state part of it is because its so massive. The next school district to us MDUSD is a mini version of it.

Play the system if you want job security. The state has what is called QEIA funding that was the result of SB1133 that established the Quality Education Investment Act (QEIA) of 2006 for the purpose of implementing the Prop 98 settlement agreement between CTA, et al. v. Schwarzenegger, et al. SB1133 will provide $3 billion over the next seven years to 488 low performing schools in California. These schools, ranked in the lowest two deciles by the state's 2005 Academic Performance Index, have high percentages of low-income, minority and English learners. Arnold or no other state representative can touch it, they've already tried and failed. What it means is that the state was already removed of funds for various districts in the state (my school is one of them) by law they are required to lower their class sizes to 25 to 1 within three years. This is year one. So only five sections of the core classes and 10 sections of Math are mandated which isn't much considering that one teacher naturally holds the average of five sections themselves. The thing is these schools will be hiring. This is where you want to get in now because they'll be hiring more teachers to reduce the sizes because the kids aren't gonna stop coming.

Its one of the ways to get you in....the bad news is that QEIA funding is usually in the tougher schools. I have two cops assigned to my site as well as a social worker and a Juvenile Hall Probation Officer on site. Its not Dangerous Minds or Stand and Deliver by no means but its a lot tougher than Acalanes Union High School District which is about 20 miles away and pays 25,000 more a year for the same education I have and every student has a college plan by the time they are in 6th grade. Then again its a trade off because one of my good friends works there and says that for parent/teacher night he gets introduced to the family lawyers as well...

 

[Bodie The Cursed]

find a hot chick with a good job...and marry her.

thats what i did

 

[The Ween]

I used to teach in CA and made about $55K, I have since left that career choice and moved to Vegas and about doubled my salary .... it wasn't worth it anymore.

That's real good money around here, especially for a single person. And you don't have the problems that you would in a big city teaching.

 

[The Ween]

30 to 1. No biggie for upper graders....spoken like a person who hasn't spent much time with them or someone who forgets.... I teach 8th graders, the years where their hormones are just beginning in the throws of puberty. Where they'll be a raging ^^^^^ one day and then a punching bag the next. Not to mention that this is the first year my classes haven't averaged 38 to 1....we are at 32 right now.....way over contractual capacity but what are we going to do? Not teach them? PE teachers are dealing with 50 to 1. The tenure system requires school districts to place those teachers, if there is room at a school where they could teach and they aren't placed thats a wrongful termination lawsuit that is a slam dunk since the Human Resources department already signed off on it. Not to mention that if you teach Special Ed for example in some districts you'll make as much as Vice Principals. Its all about where you wanna work and what you're willing to do for a job.

Go here: www.edjoin.org

Most teachers start here looking for a job. Like I said before, if you are picky and want to work within walking distance for example it'll be a tough find especially since you'll be at the bottom of the totem pole. If you just want to work you'll find a job. I commute 45 minutes to work each way everyday because of simple traffic. Without traffic it'd only take about 12. I wouldn't change it for a second.

Here if our k or 1st have more than 25 students, you automatically get an aide. And since the average is 28, every classroom has one most of the time. State law. And we also have alot of mentors and volunteers.

 

[The Ween]

Find a hot chick with a good job...and marry her.

Hopefully they'll do better finding "chicks with a good job" than I am finding men with good jobs!

Let me change that......ANY job!

 

[Deadly Dagger]

...you think Amy has any cash left?

 

[Kibishii]

Ok, so in a year and a half I will be PA Certified to teach. This is after a BA in History from Penn State. Now my questions is, to all the teachers out there, how hard is it really to get a job? Next question is to CA residents, myself and two friends are looking at moving out there once I get my certificate so I can try and get a job, so can 3 people pulling resources together actually make it in CA or am I out of my mind? Lastly for CA residents who are teachers, same basic questions, how do you do it and am I insane? It's something I've been kicking around for a while and figured no time like the present to do some research and get some opinions.

Possible Long Post:

Ok, I will try to answer as honestly as possible. I teach 5th grade in Fontana, CA and I hold a California Clear Credential, a supplemental in L.A. and social studies, a C.L.A.D. certificate, and am a certificated G.L.A.D. instructor; I am also tenured (toots horn).

A very good friend of mine actually moved here from Pennsylvania about 12 years ago and was my BITSA mentor when I was going through internship and when NCLB kicked in CCoTC screwed her around big time with her out of state credential being noncompliant and being "highly qualified." I am not sure how much that has changed but I can try to put you in contact with her if you want.

The BAD news...

First: ( https://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28625138/ ) California has a 40+ billion dollar deficit right now and it is just getting worse. Gov. Arnold has called for a 10% cut to all education funds and is even contemplating dropping the school year from 180 days to 175 days to save $$$ on education payroll statewide. My district alone is possibly screwing year round, single-track teachers out of a paycheck next July by altering the contract year from July 1st to August 1st. Basically, this will allow them to pay you your first month on the new contract schedule when you retire or leave the district. We also had our tutoring hours cut in half and Quickprint/supplies funds cut in half.

Second: I am not sure if this has changed since I got my clear credential, but last time I heard, California does not take out-of-state credentials as clear. They will take your credential, but only give you a two year preliminary credential in return at best. This leaves you taking classes to get your CLAD, the RICA exam, and the CSET 3-part exam, AND going through BITSA to get your California Clear. I do know that most of the states surrounding California will not accept a California Clear because California makes teachers take the CSET instead of the Praxis and because California does not have reciprocity with other states. The only thing that screwed me around was making me take the CSET after I had a waiver from the CCoTC, but that was due to NCLB.

Third: From what I have seen, the "good" districts (AYP 800+) expect 5+ years of experience before they will hire you and you won't get internship in those districts. Personally, I like teaching in minority or poor districts as the parents are not as snobby. However, be aware that minority/poor districts present major challenges to instruction and curriculum; last year I had 13 RSP students and two level one ELL's.

Finally: California has some of the highest expected standards for state testing in the nation; with NCLB, this ^^^^s. Our curriculum demands that I spend 200 minutes a day on Open Court & Corrective Reading instruction, 40 minutes a day on ELD instruction, 75 minutes on math instruction...that leaves roughly 30 minutes left in the day for transition time, social studies, science, art, and p.e., and the 40 minutes of enrichment on Monday and Friday (yes, our principal knows the minutes don't add up). We grind, and I mean grind, for state testing. Luckily, my school got out of program improvement in year one, but I know most of the state is heading that way.

The good news:

California teachers get paid very well compared to the rest of the country, we still have a pension (this might be going soon for new hires), and most districts have great medical. If you are willing to teach in the inner city or high Hispanic areas, you will get hired; I know when I was getting my credential, San Bernardino came and said outright that they will hire us on internship without a clear; San Bernardino is scary though, so make sure to wear your bullet proof vest and bring an English to Spanish dictionary.

 

[Kibishii]

Congratulations.

I love it. Each and every day I come to school and its brand new, plus there is something about knowing that you emparted knowledge on someone that makes it worthwhile but realize that its about 30% babysitting, especially for new teachers. If you don't have a presence in the room the kids will tear you alive. Statistically 30% of teachers don't make it past year five.

This is so, so true.

 

[Zoomaround]

"...Second: I am not sure if this has changed since I got my clear credential, but last time I heard, California does not take out-of-state credentials as clear. They will take your credential, but only give you a two year preliminary credential in return at best. This leaves you taking classes to get your CLAD, the RICA exam, and the CSET 3-part exam, AND going through BITSA to get your California Clear. I do know that most of the states surrounding California will not accept a California Clear because California makes teachers take the CSET instead of the Praxis and because California does not have reciprocity with other states. The only thing that screwed me around was making me take the CSET after I had a waiver from the CCoTC, but that was due to NCLB..."

Great post Kibishii -- lots of great information. I just want to add that it is now easier for out of state teachers to obtain California credentialing.
I found this on the Commission on Teacher Credentialing site (www.ctc.ca.gov).

Elementary School: https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl561.pdf
Secondary School: https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl560.pdf

 

[Kibishii]

Not to be even more 'doom & gloom' about California, but we just had an emergency meeting after school today to discuss the budget; our principal said that the worst case scenario is the district letting go 500-600 teachers in Fontana; roughly 25% of teachers. The focus will be on certificated staff with less than three years experience or teachers not holding a clear multiple-subject, math, or science credential. Here is a related news post ( https://www.sbsun.com/ci_11440129?source=rss )

 

[Giant Chicken]

I too am a CA teacher. I teach 6th grade in the Central Valley. The Valley is very affordable. You can rent a nice home with a nice yard for $900-1,200 easy. Currently, purchasing a home is not very bad either.

I was skimming through the advice that others were giving and it is good advice. I know that California and Oregon are the most difficult states to get certified in. When switching over to CA you will have a crap load of hoops to get through.

Speaking on the tests you will take...

CLAD - I do not know what this test is like because it was included in the credential that I received.

RICA - Piece of cake! buy the study guide and the test only takes 1-1 1/2 hours.

CBEST - Easy - Basically it is like a high school exit exam. (Basic L.A. and Math skills)

CSET (3 tests) - seems to give a lot of people trouble. I passed it on my first try but I studied my butt off. I have heard horror stories from some that have taken it multiple times. Good News is if you pass one of the parts then you are done with that part.

BTSA- You are to complete 2 years of BTSA once you are in the class room. Parts of this are good and parts are a joke. You will have a mentor teacher and they will observe different lessons throughout your first 2 years. You are suppose to meet with them weekly/monthly. There are 12 tasks and they are all very manageable. There is also a binder portfolio and this part is a joke. It was VERY time consuming. I can honestly say that it did not help me in the slightest and was a huge waste of time... but what was I going to do. I have heard that they are cutting back each year on what is expected from the binder. Every county is different on the binder so it just depends.


As far as tenure goes and getting a job... do your homework. I would NOT sign a temp. contract unless you absolutely cant find a job. I work in a district with VERY low scores and is struggling and I have seen huge numbers of lay off every year. You need to be on your game the first two years and prove that you can handle all the crap that gets thrown in your lap.

My first year teaching there was 11 first year teachers hired and only 2 of us received tenure.

hopefully, some of this info helps... feel free to PM me if you want. Again, the info that the others have given is also very reliable. good luck.

 

[siquisiri]

M21,
Im a 12 year veteran teaching high school history. Right know there is a crunch time due to the CA budget crisis and unfortunatley the Governator is going to make large cuts in education. I work for the Los Angeles Unified School District and they are planning MASSIVE cuts ( a 250 million cut!)and layoffs over the next few months. It might not be the same in other districts, but if we afre being hit so is everyone else. Good luck.

 

[Memnoch]

Well I have a year and a half, so hopefully things will recover in time. At least I know I have A LOT of work to do and things to look at to get a job out in CA though. Have to say I wouldn't mind working in a disadvantaged area because I always have liked a challenge.

 

[siquisiri]

In case your wondering in the LAUSD, and this depends on how many post grad units you have, a first year teacher will start off at around $45k You will cap of around your 10th year, in which you will make around $69-70 k a year.

 

[Giant Chicken]

Have to say I wouldn't mind working in a disadvantaged area because I always have liked a challenge.

I know there are different types of "disadvantaged areas" out there... I work for a very poor farm labor community, primarily spanish speaking, and very very low test scores and I LOVE IT. Most of the kids are far more loveable and respectful than the middle class kids that my wife works with in a more "advantaged" area.

 

[The Mike]

CSET (3 tests) - seems to give a lot of people trouble. I passed it on my first try but I studied my butt off. I have heard horror stories from some that have taken it multiple times. Good News is if you pass one of the parts then you are done with that part.

I had to take four parts for the English/Language Arts cert. Depending on what area you teach and whether or not you are going Multiple or Single Subject depends on how many tests you take. Each one is $70 I believe. I passed the first three without fail and missed the last one by one. When I retook the last one there was a guy in there taking his higher level Math CSET for the 10th time and someone who is a native speaker from Honduras I believe taking the Foreign Language Spanish CSET for the 6th time.

BTSA- You are to complete 2 years of BTSA once you are in the class room. Parts of this are good and parts are a joke. You will have a mentor teacher and they will observe different lessons throughout your first 2 years. You are suppose to meet with them weekly/monthly. There are 12 tasks and they are all very manageable. There is also a binder portfolio and this part is a joke. It was VERY time consuming. I can honestly say that it did not help me in the slightest and was a huge waste of time... but what was I going to do. I have heard that they are cutting back each year on what is expected from the binder. Every county is different on the binder so it just depends.

Most of this still applies, I'm friends with the BTSA Mentor at the Junior High level and she said its completely revamping this year. They used to have 6 different "strands" or "standards" with multiple substandards A-G or K for some that you had to prove you've met in two years. If you have a good BTSA mentor you can knock it out fast, I did mine in one year and sat back through the second as a technicality since my district wouldn't sign off on the early release, many of them can be combined and double dipped if you pay close attention.

Anyway, its revamping to be more holistic and tie directly to the CA State induction program at the graduate level which is good for CA Grads, not so good for out of state grads who will have no clue what they missed, although I'm sure its similar. The training has its merits although my friend and I sat and visited mostly during our sessions since she helped me tie most of what I had already done into evidence.

 

[LOPIE]

My wife is a teacher in Florida, but as to how we make it, I do ultrasound for a living. Teachers have one of the hardest jobs in the world and they are underpaid. Too many people are leaving the parenting to teachers; consequently, teachers have to correct behavior problems and teach curriculum. So my best advice to you is find a rich spouse so you don’t have to work.

 

[The Mike]

Just to put it into perspective, a lot of teachers do more babysitting and character building because many of the students arrive without even the capacity of sitting quietly in a class for an hour. If teachers got paid like babysitters who get routinely $10.00 an hour it'd go like this:

According to best case scenarios most classes aim for 25 to 1 ratio: 25 x 10 = $250
Most teachers teach five periods: $250 x 5 = $1250 a day.
Considering the five day work week that is typical: $6250 a week.
Looking at 52 weeks in the year, most jobs get around four weeks vacation and the general 11 holidays so subtracting the six weeks of non work: $6250 x 46 = $287,500.00

Now if you just go by most teacher's work years its routinely 189 days. So the math would be $1250 (day rate) x 189 = $236,250.00 per year at a Babysitter's salary.

Most teachers though have 30+, most of my classes have 36 or higher. I also teach six periods. So my salary would be 35 (average) x 10 = $350 x 6 = $2100 x 189 = $396,900

Its an extreme analogy and would never happen but it puts a teacher's salary into perspective when you see that most teachers start their salary after the 4 years of college, one year of Credentialing and even 2 years of a Master's degree they make $37,000 a year.

 

[Kibishii]

Or, at the intermediate-elementary level, I usually have 33 all year.

 

[siquisiri]

BTSA is a joke. EVERYONE knows its the districts has attempt at compliance with the state.
My classes average:
10th grade world history...1:32
11TH grade USA history....1:40 (yep!!)