Transcript Think You Want to Be a Teacher?

Think You Want to Be a Teacher?
Presented by:
The College of Education and Human Development
George Mason University
FALL 2010
Please sign in at the door and
help yourself to information.
Teachers are Nation Builders
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“The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share
your riches, but to reveal to him his own.” Benjamin Disraeli
Phase I: Exploration
Why Do You Want to Become a Teacher?
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Make a difference
Change lives
Engage minds
Touch the future
It’s a good profession
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Fulfilling
Stable
Benefits
Opportunities for growth
What Should You Teach?
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What age groups are you interested in teaching?
What subject areas are you most interested in?
What is the job market like?
2009-10 VA Critical Shortage Areas
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Special Education
Speech-language disorders PK-12
Mathematics 6-12
English as a Second Language PK-12
Elementary Education PK-6
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/newvdoe/critical-shortage-areas2009-2010.pdf
Why George Mason University?
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Nationally accredited (NCATE) programs
Wide variety of programs
Convenient class times (4:30 and 7:20)
Team to assist you
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Advisor
Endorsement Specialist [email protected]
Field Placement Specialist [email protected]
Licensure Specialist [email protected]
Mason’s Initial Teacher Licensure Programs
Many of our
programs offer an
optional master’s
degree (bolded/in red)
upon completing
licensure
coursework.
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Early Childhood
Education (EDSE-SPEC)
Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Secondary Education/CS
English as a Sec. Lang.
Foreign Language
Special Education
Get Familiar with Our Programs
http://gse.gmu.edu/programs
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Each program has its own website with
Academic and Admissions information
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You can find forms and Pre Admission
Requirements for your program
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You do not have to have a background in
education to pursue our programs
Pick a Program
http://gse.gmu.edu/programs
Program Deadlines
Program
Fall
Spring
Elementary
Education
February 1
October 1
SL-summer start
or YL-fall start
Secondary
Education
March1
October 1
Career Switcher
March 1
October 1
Early Childhood
March 1 Priority
Nov 1 Priority
ESL/Foreign Lang.
March 1 Priority
Nov 1 Priority
Special Education
March 1 Priority
Nov 1 Priority
Endorsements
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Undergraduate courses in content areas
Bachelor’s degree in English, chemistry,
physics, math or biology=complete Sec. Ed.
endorsements in most cases
Must be within 9 credits of completion by the
first day of class.*CS students must complete
all endorsements. Course work in progress
must be entered in the online review
Endorsement Review
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Complete online endorsement review:
Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Ed (incl.
Career Switcher) programs complete review http://cehd.gmu.edu/teacher/endorse/
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Foreign Language- contact Nanette Rutsch
[email protected] regarding requirements
(Option: ACTFL WPT/OPI plus 6 credits of foreign language)
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Special Education does not require an endorsement
review, and ESL requires 6 credits of a foreign
language
Complete Test Requirements
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Passing Praxis I or eligible SAT/ACT scores
are a state requirement for admission to a stateapproved initial teacher licensure program
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Career Switcher requires PRAXIS II and
VCLA prior to admission
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Test information can be found here http://cehd.gmu.edu/teacher/test/
Phase 2: Applicant
Apply Online
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Guidelines- http://cehd.gmu.edu/admissions/steps/
Send in sealed documents together—MS4D1
Check your application status
http://admissions.gmu.edu/ApplicationStatus
Students accepted for fall are allowed to enroll in summer classes.
Remember to Update Your Info
Names
o If you were previously a Mason Student your information
may be under a previous name
o Visit http://cehd.gmu.edu/documents/admissions/
for form and required documentation
Addresses
o Email [email protected] with your new address and contact
information
*We cannot discuss your application with anyone else
without written consent from you
How Do You Get Admitted?
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Your application will
be evaluated using the
following standards:
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A minimum 3.0 GPA in the
last 60 credit hours
Praxis I composite score of at
least 532 OR SAT/ACT
equivalent
Strong letters of
recommendation
Endorsement requirements
fulfilled (except ESL,EDSE)
Interview and writing sample
also required by some
programs
Communication
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E-mail acknowledgment (must provide e-mail address)
 Self managed process
Lacking letter
 Sent once application is processed, if incomplete
Decision letter
 Sent via postal mail 2-4 wks after interviews (POM)
G number—Mason ID
What is the Cost?
Spring 2010 (Fall rates determined in May)
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In-state tuition:
$398/credit hour
Out-of-state tuition:
$987/credit hour
You will complete an in state tuition form as part of the
application. Your status will be determined based on the
information provided this form.
Scholarships/Funding
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The Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program
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For students pursuing teaching careers in shortage or critical needs
areas
For more information, read about the scholarship program on the
VDOE Web site:
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/newvdoe/teached.html
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General financial aid information can be found at:
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http://financialaid.gmu.edu/
The application for assistantships can be found at:
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http://cehd.gmu.edu/oasa/funding_opps/
FAQ: What if You Miss the Deadline?
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All of our licensure programs except ELED and SEC-CS allow
students to take a couple of courses as a non-degree student
Questions regarding class registration eligibility should be
directed to the program office manager
There are restrictions on how many classes can transfer into
degree and certificate programs
Students should only be in non-degree status for one semester.
Website: http://admissions.gmu.edu/nondegree/
Tel: 703.993.2400
Phase 3: Student
Registration
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New student welcome letter
http://cehd.gmu.edu/assets/docs/forms/Admissions/NewStudentWelcome.pdf
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Activate your student record:
Provisional- return signed contract
 Full admit- http://cehd.gmu.edu/admissions/rsvp
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Contact your advisor
Course Work
Methods of lesson planning
 Classroom management
 How to teach your subject in
the classroom
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Phase 4: Internship
Apply for Internship
 Complete
all endorsements
 Complete licensure coursework
 Complete testing requirements
 Apply: http://cehd.gmu.edu/teacher/intpract/
Praxis II-Content Knowledge Exam
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Register for the paper-based exam at:
www.ets.org/praxis
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Test codes and sample questions--Praxis Web site.
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Must be passed prior to final internship for:
 Early Childhood PK-3
 Elementary Ed.
 Foreign Language (Spanish and French)
 Secondary Ed (English, Social Studies, Math,
Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics)
Note: Elementary Education Praxis II exam or course is an exit requirement
for Students with Disabilities who Access the Adapted Curriculum K-12
VCLA/VRA Tests
VCLA
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http://www.va.nesinc.com/
The Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) must be
passed prior to internship application submission for ALL initial
teacher licensure programs - (VCLA is an admissions requirement for
the Career Switcher program).
Passing score=470.
Report scores to GMU (code 17) when you register for exam.
VRA http://www.va.nesinc.com/
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The Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA) must be passed prior to
internship application submission for Early Childhood Education-EPK3,
Elementary Education, and Special Education.
Passing score=235.
Report scores to GMU when you register for exam.
Phase 5: VA Licensed Teacher
Steps to Virginia Licensure
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Bachelor’s degree
Content/endorsement requirement course work
ACTFL OPI and WPT (in lieu of foreign lang. endorsements)
Praxis I passing scores or SAT/ACT equiv. scores (admission)
Praxis II passing scores
Pass Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)
Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA)
Complete a state-approved program
These requirements meet Virginia’s definition of a highly qualified teacher.
GMU Licensure Specialist:
Joanna Eddy [email protected]
Licensure/Endorsement
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Licensure: the initial
designation from the
state of Virginia
Endorsement:
Designation on the
license noting ages
or grade levels
and/or subjects,
disciplines and
disabilities
Example: I am licensed to
teach secondary education,
grades 6-12, math
Licensure Reciprocity
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Will my Virginia
teacher’s license
“transfer” to other
states?
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Because Virginia has some
of the highest teacher
licensure requirements in
the country, many states
have agreed to offer
“reciprocity.”
If you are considering teaching in another state, you will need to
contact the Department of Education in that state regarding how to
obtain licensure. Completing a state-approved education program
enhances your chances of receiving reciprocity.
Provisional License
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What is a provisional
license?
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A three-year, nonrenewable license for
someone who does not
hold a current, valid
license.
An applicant must first
be hired by a Virginia
school division based on
the content requirements
for the teaching area for
which the individual is
applying.
Phase 6: Graduation
Assistance
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CEHD Admissions:
703-993-2010, [email protected]
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OASA: 703-993-2080 (once enrolled)
Financial Aid: 703-993-2353
Non-Degree: 703-993-2400
College of Education and Human Development
George Mason University
4400 University Drive, MS 4D1
Fairfax, VA 22030