Think You Want to Be a Teacher?

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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.

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Teachers are Nation Builders

• The greatest good you can do for another is not
  just to share
• your riches, but to reveal to him his
  own. Benjamin Disraeli

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Phase I Exploration
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Why Do You Want to Become a Teacher?

• Make a difference
• Change lives
• Engage minds
• Touch the future
• Its a good profession
• Fulfilling
• Stable
• Benefits
• Opportunities for growth

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What Should You Teach?

• What age groups are you interested in teaching?
• What subject areas are you most interested in?
• What is the job market like?

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2009-10 VA Critical Shortage Areas
1. Special Education 2. Speech-language
disorders PK-12 3. Mathematics 6-12 4.
English as a Second Language PK-12 5.
Elementary Education PK-6
http//www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/newvdoe/critical-
shortage-areas2009-2010.pdf
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Why George Mason University?

• Nationally accredited (NCATE) programs
• Wide variety of programs
• Convenient class times (430 and 720)
• Team to assist you
• Advisor
• Endorsement Specialist endorse_at_gmu.edu
• Field Placement Specialist lclarkg_at_gmu.edu
• Licensure Specialist edlicen_at_gmu.edu

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Masons Initial Teacher Licensure Programs

• Many of our programs offer an optional
  masters degree (bolded/in red) upon completing
  licensure coursework.

• Early Childhood Education (EDSE-SPEC)
• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education
• Secondary Education/CS
• English as a Sec. Lang.
• Foreign Language
• Special Education

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Get Familiar with Our Programs

• http//gse.gmu.edu/programs
• Each program has its own website with Academic
  and Admissions information
• You can find forms and Pre Admission Requirements
  for your program
• You do not have to have a background in education
  to pursue our programs

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Pick a Program
http//gse.gmu.edu/programs
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Program Deadlines
Program Fall Spring
Elementary Education February 1 SL-summer start or YL-fall start October 1
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
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Endorsements

• Undergraduate courses in content areas
• Bachelors degree in English, chemistry, physics,
  math or biologycomplete 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

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Endorsement Review

• Complete online endorsement review
• Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Ed
  (incl. Career Switcher) programs complete review
  - http//cehd.gmu.edu/teacher/endorse/
• Foreign Language- contact Nanette Rutsch
  nrutsch_at_gmu.edu regarding requirements
• (Option ACTFL WPT/OPI plus 6 credits of foreign
  language)
• Special Education does not require an endorsement
  review, and ESL requires 6 credits of
  a foreign language

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Complete Test Requirements

• Passing Praxis I or eligible SAT/ACT scores are a
  state requirement for admission to a
  state-approved initial teacher licensure program
• Career Switcher requires PRAXIS II and VCLA prior
  to admission
• Test information can be found here -
  http//cehd.gmu.edu/teacher/test/

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Phase 2 Applicant
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Apply Online

• Guidelines- http//cehd.gmu.edu/admissions/steps/
• Send in sealed documents togetherMS4D1
• Check your application status
• http//admissions.gmu.edu/ApplicationStatus
• Students accepted for fall are allowed to enroll
  in summer classes.

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Remember to Update Your Info

• Names
• If you were previously a Mason Student your
  information may be under a previous name
• Visit http//cehd.gmu.edu/documents/admissions/
  
• for form and required documentation
• Addresses
• Email cehdgrad_at_gmu.edu with your new address
  and contact information
• We cannot discuss your application with anyone
  else
• without written consent from you

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How Do You Get Admitted?

• Your application will be evaluated using the
  following standards

• 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

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Communication

• 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 numberMason ID

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What is the Cost?

• Spring 2010 (Fall rates determined in May)
• 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.
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Scholarships/Funding

• The Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program
• 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.v
  a.us/VDOE/newvdoe/teached.html
• General financial aid information can be found
  at
• http//financialaid.gmu.edu/
• The application for assistantships can be found
  at
• http//cehd.gmu.edu/oasa/funding_opps/

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FAQ What if You Miss the Deadline?

• 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 [phone]

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Phase 3 Student
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Registration

• New student welcome letter
• http//cehd.gmu.edu/assets/docs/forms/Admissions/
  NewStudentWelcome.pdf
• Activate your student record
• Provisional- return signed contract
• Full admit- http//cehd.gmu.edu/admissions/rsvp
• Contact your advisor

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Course Work

• Methods of lesson planning
• Classroom management
• How to teach your subject in the classroom

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Phase 4 Internship
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Apply for Internship

• Complete all endorsements
• Complete licensure coursework
• Complete testing requirements
• Apply http//cehd.gmu.edu/teacher/intpract/

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Praxis II-Content Knowledge Exam

• Register for the paper-based exam at
  www.ets.org/praxis
• Test codes and sample questions--Praxis Web site.
• 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

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VCLA/VRA Tests

• VCLA 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 score470.
• Report scores to GMU (code 17) when you register
  for exam.
• VRA http//www.va.nesinc.com/
• The Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA) must be
  passed prior to internship application submission
  for Early Childhood Education-EPK3, Elementary
  Education, and Special Education.
• Passing score235.
• Report scores to GMU when you register for exam.

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Phase 5 VA Licensed Teacher
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Steps to Virginia Licensure

• Bachelors 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 Virginias definition of
  a highly qualified teacher.
• GMU Licensure Specialist
• Joanna Eddy edlicen_at_gmu.edu

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Licensure/Endorsement

• 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
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Licensure Reciprocity

• Will my Virginia teachers license transfer to
  other states?

• 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.
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Provisional License

• What is a provisional license?

• A three-year, non-renewable 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.

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Phase 6 Graduation
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Assistance

• CEHD Admissions
• 703-993-2010, cehdgrad_at_gmu.edu
• 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