i'm a hs chemistry teacher ... certified in math and history in texas/alabama, also ... if you have the 12 credits the ms guy mentioned, i'd strongly consider taking the math certification test, also ... if you are certified in physics, you shouldn't have a problem getting a job, but an additional certification in math or another science (preferably chemistry) would help you have more choices ... remember that math is not 1 class - it's 4-6 classes, so being certified in 'math' enables you to teach a lot of different things ... depending on your individual situation, i would look out of state at growth areas like the wash d.c. area (salaries are very good and fairfax/surrounding areas are growing) ... houston ... etc ... but i'd seriously take the math test ... don't know if louisiana does praxis or has its own test, but i got certified through the praxis test with a 157 (up to 160 for a lot of states now, tho) and i have very little physics knowledge ... physics and math would give you unlimited options everywhere ...

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Posted by Gaston

Dirty Coast

Member since Aug 2008

41694 posts

Posted on 11/30/14 at 8:09 pm to shutterspeed

I'm in Hancock county, Bay St Louis, and for some reason it doesn't have the same quality education as the Pass. Oh well though, I'd rather be on this side of the bridge anyway.

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Posted by anc

Member since Nov 2012

20611 posts

Posted on 11/30/14 at 8:10 pm to tiderider

quote:
tiderider

Good points all around.

If you have the 12 hours to receive natural certification, you can usually take the PRAXIS II for a particular subject area and gain certification that way. For example, my natural area is English, but my love for History and Geography was good enough for me to pass the Social Studies PRAXIS, and the same for Computer/Technology.

Never hurts to have as many certifications as possible, but if you have the certification, an administrator might use you! A former colleague took the Computer PRAXIS, obtained the minimum passing score, and ended up being the only available teacher when the Programming teacher left. He was learning the lesson the day before he taught it - a very long semester for him, indeed.

This post was edited on 11/30/14 at 8:13 pm

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Posted by shutterspeed

MS Gulf Coast

Member since May 2007

72482 posts

Posted on 11/30/14 at 8:12 pm to Gaston

Ahh... gotcha.

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Posted by Epic Cajun

Lafayette, LA

Member since Feb 2013

37061 posts

Posted on 11/30/14 at 8:20 pm to anc

quote:

I tell my students to absolutely not judge the field by their first job - just like an accountant or an attorney would not. For some reason, recent college grads that have to take less than desirable jobs get out fairly quickly. One of my former students helped me at the AT&T store last week and was really pissed off about her student loans being for nothing because she hated teaching.

I really wanted to tell her maybe she shouldn't have pissed her 4 years away at fraternity parties and have a 2.2 in Elementary Education. The only school that would hire her was an inner city school - rocked her little world, she quit in the middle of the school year, and let her license lapse.

Now she sells cell phones at AT&T with $40k in student debt and blames society, the college, the education system - everyone but herself.

That's unfortunate. My friend isn't throwing a pity party, like that. He's actually working in another field and going to grad school right now.

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Posted by Bubb

Member since Mar 2010

4295 posts

Posted on 11/30/14 at 8:25 pm to LSURussian

quote:
Math and science teachers are in short supply. You just need the certification or working towards it and you will get multiple offers.

This. Have you taken any praxis yet?

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Posted by alstroemeria

Member since May 2011

5 posts

Posted on 11/30/14 at 9:28 pm to Bubb

Thanks for all the replies! I haven't taken the Praxis subject tests yet but I intend to this spring before enrolling in a practitioner teacher program in the summer. From what I'm hearing, I might as well take it in physics, chemistry, and math if I have the background to do so. I've got a Master's in an interdisciplinary field so I have the hours in each of those three subjects. I feel much better about my prospects for getting a decent job after hearing from y'all, so thanks again!

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