A Continuum of Careers in Education

1
A Continuum of Careers in Education

• Presentation for the
• Future Teachers Program
• California State University Fullerton

2
Careers in Education

• This presentation will explore different careers
  in educationlooking at the continuum from the
  perspective of education required (from Associate
  to Graduate Degrees)
• Preschool Teaching
• Paraprofessional Teaching
• Educational Careers in K-12 Settings
• Elementary School
• Secondary School
• Special Education
• School Administrators, Nurses, Librarians,
  Reading Specialists, and Counselors
• Teaching at the University Level
• Community College
• University Level

3
Careers in Education that Require an Associate
Degree (or Less)

• An Associate Degree is an academic degree
  available from community colleges and some
  universities based on a course of study usually
  completed in two years.

4
What Does a Preschool Teacher Do?

• A preschool teacher works with young children in
  a child development facility, such as a
  preschool, day care center, public or private
  elementary school, or employer sponsored center.
  The preschool teacher plays an important role in
  young childrens development and must be able to
  
• Establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning
  environment,
• Advance childrens physical and intellectual
  competence,
• Support childrens social and emotional
  development,
• Establish positive and productive relationships
  with families, and
• Implement a purposeful program responsive to
  childrens needs.
• Source Beaty, J. (2000). Skills for preschool
  teachers. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ
  Merrill.

5
A Preschool Teacher . . .

• Plans the physical space.
• Schedules the day to include active and quiet
  activities, large and small group activities,
  predictable and flexible activities, familiar and
  novel activities, and indoor and outdoor
  activities.
• Prepares materials and plans activities to
  support physical development, intellectual
  development, social development, and emotional
  development.
• Understands the importance of play in early
  childhood programs and schedules opportunities
  for play.
• Is cognizant of and sensitive to the individual
  needs of children.
• Maintains positive discipline based on mutual
  respect.
• Communicates with families.

6
What is required to be a Preschool Professional?

• Under Title 5 regulations, those who work in
  state-contracted and state-funded full-day child
  development program or half-day preschools must
  hold a Child Development Permit. Several levels
  of permit exist, each with specific education and
  experience requirements.

Continued on following page
7
Source http//www.childdevelopment.org/images/mat
rix.pdf Please consult for details and
alternative qualifications.
8
What Does a Paraprofessional Do?

• A paraprofessional is a school employee
• whose position is either instructional in nature
  or who delivers other direct services to students
  and/or their parents and
• who works under the supervision of teachers or
  other professional staff who have the ultimate
  responsibility for the design, implementation and
  evaluation of education and related services
  programs and student progress.
• Examples include educational aide, special
  education aide, teacher assistant, pupil service
  aide, library aide, child development aide, and
  physical education aide

9
Examples of Educational Paraprofessional Aide
Activities
10
What is Required to be a Highly Qualified
Paraprofessional?

• The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
  (ESEA), also known as The No Child Left Behind
  Act, requires that all paraprofessionals who work
  in programs funded by Title I prove that they are
  highly qualified. There are three ways that
  paraprofessionals may prove they are highly
  qualified
• Complete an associate degree OR
• Complete two years of college OR
• Demonstrate knowledge of reading, writing, math,
  and the ability to assist in instructing these
  subjects. This demonstration must be met through
  a state or local academic assessment, which does
  not necessarily mean a pencil and paper test.
• See more at
• Are you A Highly Qualified Paraprofessional?
  http//www.nea.org/esphome/issues/eseapara-qualif
  ied.html

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Careers in Education that Require a Bachelors
Degree and Credential
12
What Does an Elementary or Secondary Teacher Do?

• The teacher's job is to assure that all students
  learn the basic and essential skills at each
  grade level.  Responsibilities include
• Instructional Process
• Plans and implements a program of instruction
  that adheres to the district goals and
  objectives.
• Creates appropriate lesson plans that provide for
  effective teaching and maximizes time on task.
• Encourages student enthusiasm for the learning
  process and the development of good study habits.
  
• Classroom Management
• Develops, in accordance with district school
  guidelines, reasonable rules of classroom
  behavior and appropriate techniques that are
  consistently applied.
• Shares responsibility during the school day for
  the supervision of students in all areas of the
  school.
• Professional Growth
• Continues professional growth through workshops,
  seminars, and/or advanced course work.
• Attends staff, department, and committee meetings
  as required.
• Student Evaluation
• Evaluates accomplishments of students on a
  regular basis using multiple assessment methods
  such as teacher made tests, samples of students'
  work, mastery skills check lists,
  criterion-referenced tests and norm-referenced
  tests.
• Makes appropriate adjustments in the
  instructional program and as required by the
  principal.

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What is Required to Be a Highly Qualified
Teacher?

• Multiple Subject for Elementary Teaching
• Job requirements include
• a current Multiple Subject Credential
• undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies, Child
  Development, or other academic discipline
• Demonstrated expertise through examination of
  competence in the subjects taught in the
  elementary classroom Language Arts, Mathematics,
  Science, Social Science, Visual and Performing
  Arts, and Physical Education.
• Qualified to teach K-12 in a self-contained
  setting, but usually teaches in K-6 classrooms
  teaches all subject areas appropriate for the
  elementary classroom

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What is Required to Be a Highly Qualified
Teacher?

• Single Subject for Secondary Teaching
• Job requirements include
• Current Single Subject Credential
• Undergraduate degree in an academic discipline
• Demonstrated expertise through examination or
  university course completion of competence in
  content areas of the single subject credential
• Qualified to teach in the subject area in single
  subject classrooms, usually grades 6-12 teaches
  several levels of courses in one subject area

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What is Required to Be a Highly Qualified
Teacher?

• In Special Education Settings
• Job requirements include
• a current Education Specialist Credential in
  Mild/Moderate, Moderate/Severe, or Early
  Childhood
• a current Multiple or Single Subject Credential
• undergraduate degree in academic discipline
• Demonstrated expertise by examination or
  university course completion of content area of
  the multiple or single subject credential
• Qualified to teach special education students in
  K-12 settings as appropriate to the credential
  area

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What is Special Education?

• Special Education is specially designed
  instruction that often incorporates related
  services to meet the educational, social
  emotional, and vocational needs of young children
  and students with disabilities.
• Students who meet the disability qualifications
  and are eligible for services are placed in
  either mild/moderate and moderate/severe
  settings. Placement is determined by the degree,
  amount and intensity of the services needed based
  upon multidisciplinary assessment results.

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Characteristics of Placements and Students

• MILD-MODERATE SPECIALIST CREDENTIAL, K-12
• Most students who are placed in the mild moderate
  setting have a single qualifying disability. They
  may require one or more specialized services
  provided within the school district. The mild
  part of mild moderate would be an RSP (Resource
  Specialist Program) setting.
• MODERATE- SEVERE SPECIALIST CREDENTIAL, K-12
• The moderate part of moderate severe would be a
  full-inclusion setting with dual enrollment in
  general education and special education or a
  Special Day Class for the Severe. Often, these
  students have multiple challenges and require
  services beyond the capabilities of their home
  school or district. The severe part of
  Moderate-Severe could be services provided in a
  hospital, home or institution.
• EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIALIST CREDENTIAL, 0-5
• Early Childhood consists of 0-3, infant toddler
  where the focus is on the natural environment
  (usually the home) and the goals of the parents
  for their infant. At 3-5 years of age, the
  student transitions to preschool, where
  socialization and academics are stressed based
  upon the child's strengths and needs.

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Careers in Education that Require a Masters
Degree and Credential
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What Does an Education Administrator Do?

• Smooth operation of an educational institution
  requires competent administrators, usually called
  principals.
• Education administrators may
• provide instructional leadership
• manage the day-to-day activities in schools,
  preschools, daycare centers, and colleges and
  universities and/or
• direct the educational programs of businesses,
  correctional institutions, museums, and job
  training and community service organizations.
• Job requirements
• Masters Degree, Administrative Credential,
  Teaching Credential, and public school experience
• See more information at
• Occupational Outlook Handbook Education
  Administrators http//www.bls.gov/oco/ocos007.htm

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What Does a School Nurse Do?

• School Nurses, who are the primary health care
  providers within the educational environment,
  promote each student's attainment of optimum
  health status, physical and mental, to achieve
  their fullest potential as a learner and a
  person.
• What do school nurses provide that no one else in
  the school district can?
• Assess health needs
• Teach and promote health practices
• Provide counseling, primary health care,
  emergency care, crisis management, and referrals
• Provide communicable disease control
• Access community resources
• Perform mandated health screenings
• Perform special health care procedures, i.e., IV
  therapy, catheterization, tube feedings
• A School Nurse
• Is a Registered Nurse (R.N.)
• Has a baccalaureate degree
• Has an additional year of post graduate education
  related to school health issues
• Is credentialed by the Commission on Teacher
  Credentialing
• See more information at
• Profile of a School Nurse, San Diego City Schools
  http//www2.sandi.net/health/newweb/profile.html

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What Does a School Counselor Do?

• Educational, vocational, and school counselors
  provide individuals and groups with career and
  educational counseling.
• They work with students, including those with
  academic and social development problems and
  those with special needs. They
• advocate for students and work with other
  individuals and organizations to promote the
  academic, career, personal, and social
  development of children and youths.
• help students evaluate their abilities,
  interests, talents, and personality
  characteristics in order to develop realistic
  academic and career goals.
• use interviews, counseling sessions, interest and
  aptitude assessment tests, and other methods to
  evaluate and advise students.
• operate career information centers and career
  education programs.
• advise students regarding college majors,
  admission requirements, entrance exams, financial
  aid, trade or technical schools, and
  apprenticeship programs.
• counsel and support students with social or
  emotional problems
• help students develop job search skills, such as
  resume writing and interviewing techniques.
• Job requirements include
• Masters Degree and Credential
• See more information at
• Occupation Outlook Handbook, School Counselors
  http//www.bls.gov/oco/ocos067.htm

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What Does a School Library Media Specialist Do?

• Today's school library media specialist works
  with both students and teachers to
• facilitate access to information in a wide
  variety of formats,
• instruct students and teachers how to acquire,
  evaluate and use information and the technology
  needed in this process, and
• introduce children and young adults to literature
  and other resources to broaden their horizons.
• As a collaborator, change agent, and leader, the
  school library media specialist develops,
  promotes and implements a program that will help
  prepare students to be effective users of ideas
  and information, a lifelong skill.
• Job requirements include
• Masters Degree in Library Science and Teaching
  Credential
• See more information at
• School Library Media Specialist
  http//www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aasleducation/recruitm
  entlib/learningabout/learningabout.htm

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What does a Reading Specialist do?

• Reading Specialists support literacy development
  of preschool, K-12, and community college and
  university students through the following
  activities
• Provide student assessment in reading, and
  student instruction that is responsive to the
  assessment.
• Develop, implement and adapt reading instruction,
  and assist teachers with respect to the
  prevention and intervention of reading
  difficulties.
• Develop, implement and adapt instruction, and
  assist teachers, to enable all students to read
  and comprehend the content of the curriculum.
• Employment opportunities for reading/language
  arts specialists are excellent. 
• Reading has become a priority in California
  schools and districts and the need for
  specialists at elementary, middle, and high
  school levels is significant. 
• In addition, the demand for classroom teachers
  with a background in reading and the language
  arts is strong.
• There is also an increased need for professionals
  to teach reading at the community college level. 
  
• Job requirements include
• Masters Degree, Reading Specialist Credential,
  and Teaching Credential
• See more information at
• Reading Educators Guild http//www.readingeducato
  rsguild.org/

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What does a Curriculum Specialist do?

• Curriculum specialists help improve education
  through the following activities
• developing curricula
• selecting textbooks and other materials
• training teachers
• assessing educational programs
• assist in implementing new technology
• Curriculum Specialist often specialize in
  specific subjects, such as reading, language
  arts, mathematics, or social studies.
• Job requirements include
• A bachelors degree, teaching credential and
  teaching experience are usually required, but a
  graduate degree is preferred.
• See more information at
• Instructional Coordinators, Occupation Outlook
  Handbook http//www.bls.gov/oco/ocos269.htm

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Careers in Higher Education that Require a
Masters or Doctorate Degree
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What Does a Community College Instructor Do?

• First, some facts about Community Colleges
• There are over 1,200 public and private two-year
  colleges, and 90 of the nation's population is
  within commuting distance of one.
• Annually, 6.5 million students enroll in two-year
  institutions
• Generally, community colleges have three main
  divisions continuing education, technical
  education, and university transfer
• Community College faculty may be full or
  part-time. Full-time faculty usually teach 5
  classes each semester and participate on faculty
  committees.
• Job requirements include
• MA/MS in the academic discipline you teach.
• See more information at
• Teachers, Postsecondary, Occupational Outlook
  Handbook http//www.bls.gov/oco/ocos066.htm

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What Does a University Professor Do?

• University Professors perform some or all of the
  following duties
• Teach one or more university subjects to
  undergraduate and graduate students
• Prepare, administer and grade examinations,
  laboratory assignments and reports
• Direct research programs of graduate students and
  advise on research matters
• Conduct research in field of specialization and
  publish findings in scholarly journals or books
• May serve on faculty committees dealing with such
  matters as curriculum planning and degree
  requirements, and perform a variety of
  administrative duties
• May represent their universities as speakers and
  guest lecturers
• May provide professional consultative services to
  government, industry and private individuals.
• Job requirements include
• doctorate degree in the field of specialization
  licenses may also be required for professors in
  professionally regulated fields
• For more information, see
• Postsecondary Teacher Job Outlook, Career
  Advantage http//www.careeradvantage.org/universit
  y_of_phoenix_post_secondary_teacher_job_outlook.ht
  ml

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Activity 1 Ask an Educator

• Interview an educator other than a classroom
  teacher. Summarize your interview findings in
  your Blue Book.
• Ask questions such as
• Why did you become an educator?
• What education did you have?
• How is your job rewarding? What interesting and
  exciting experiences have you had because of your
  job?
• What is the biggest drawback in your job?
• What advice to you have for someone who is
  considering a career in your field?

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Activity 2 Reflect on Learning

• This presentation focused on the different
  careers in education. Which careers interest you
  most and why?
• Choose two careers and identify two reasons why
  these careers would be interesting for you.
  Record this information in your Blue Book.

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Activity 2 Find Out More

• Choose a career other than K-12 classroom
  teaching
• Preschool teaching
• Paraprofessional
• Educational administration
• School Nursing
• School Counselor
• Reading Specialist
• School Librarian
• Community College Instructor
• University Faculty Member
• Review the resources provided in the presentation
  or on the next two slides.
• In your Blue Book, summarize what youve learned
  about this career in education.

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Sources and Additional Information

• Preschool Teaching
• Child Development Training Consortium
• http//www.childdevelopment.org/
• National Association for the Education of Young
  Children
• http//www.naeyc.org
• Paraprofessional Teaching
• National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals
• http//www.nrcpara.org/
• Paraprofessional Handbook
• http//dpi.wi.gov/cal/pdf/paraprofessional.pdf
• The Special Education Paraeducator
• http//www.geocities.com/soozeej/SpEdPara.htm

32
Sources and Additional Information

• K-12 Teaching
• Secondary School Student Information on Teaching
  (Centers for Careers in Teaching, Cal State
  Fullerton)
• http//www.fullerton.edu/cct/HS_Info/hsinfoindex.h
  tm
• Academic Tools for Future Elementary Teachers
• http//www.fullerton.edu/cct/Mult_Subj/msacadtools
  .htm
• Academic Tools for Future Middle and High School
  Teachers
• http//www.fullerton.edu/cct/Single_Subj/ssacadtoo
  ls.htm
• College Board Careers Education
• http//www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers
  /profiles/majors/13.0101.html
• Tips on Becoming a Teacher (includes information
  on all 50 states)
• http//www.adprima.com/tipson.htm
• Teacher Job Description
• http//www.polk-fl.net/jobs/Job_Fair/job_descrip.h
  tm
• Special Education
• College Board Careers Special Education
  Teachers
• http//www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers
  /profiles/careers/105881.html
• Special Educators
• http//www.specialedcareers.org/career_choices/pro
  files/professions/special_edu.html

33
Sources and Additional Information

• General
• Careers in Education
• http//careerservices.rutgers.edu/Meducation.html
  
• Curriculum Specialist
• U.S. Department of Labor
• http//www.bls.gov/oco/ocos269.htm
• Reading Specialist
• CSUF Department of Reading Education
• http//ed.fullerton.edu/reading/
• Community College Teaching
• Teaching in the Community College A Possible
  Road to Be Taken
• http//www.mla.org/ade/bulletin/n111/111020.htm
• My Philosophy of Teaching at a Community College
• http//quinnell.us/personal/essay/teaching.html
• University Teaching
• Becoming a University Professor
• http//www.jyi.org/SCC/Article.php?articleNum87