Am I to old to go for a Masters

[Lindagerr]

As many of you know I was well on my way to getting certification as a teacher in NJ. I had considered getting my masters at WGU. I had even started meeting the prerequisites. Then I gave up thinking well at least I can sub and long term sub in NJ without doing any more work.


Well now we had to move to NY last year and I thought it would be a pain to request certification here so I put it off. Now I have a decision that has so many factors I am not sure which is the mature and sensible decision.

I can make sure NY will take it and go back and finish the pre reqs for the WGU Masters (Which I am not sure NY state will take completely either). This would cost $4-10K and take as long as I take to do it could be 6 months to 3 years. My choice of specialty would be limited but doable.

Now I have a new choice a local college D'Youville that is accredited by middle states and NY reagents teachers program, This would take a pretty intensive 9-16 months but I could be accredited in science and special Ed.(a specialty I have always been interested in). The main problem here is cost $35K.


All of that being said if I go either program I will be 60 by the time I finish. Am I fooling myself thinking that is not to late in life to do this. I am not even sure I want to teach full time. I just want to be able to sub for now and do some long time sub assignments. Am I crazy is it too late to spend this kind of money on a second career. If I can even figure out how to get the money.

So if you were an administrator and a healthy woman who did not quite look 60 came in to apply for a job would you say shes to old or would you think well people are working longer now a good teacher for 5-10 years is worth it?

[UptonSinclair]

I can't speak as an administrator, but personally I would be very cautious about taking on debt for school at 60. Administrators aren't going to come out and say it, but I would be very surprised if you didn't face age discrimination.

Best of luck to you with whatever decision you make.

[cookderosa]

You're not even CLOSE to being too old. That said, I think you should get HIRED by a district first. Having a master's in K-12 public ed means they have to pay you a higher scale. My long time friend subbed for a long time and went to UoP to earn her masters in elementary ed (she spent a good deal more than you're considering, but still) and never got an interview after that. She left education about 7ish years ago for good. My brother, a long time high school music teacher explained that no one hires new teachers with masters, and he (has a masters) has applied for jobs to get into a new district, but even with his 15 years experience, no one will hire him. He's too expensive. He can stay where he is, he earns a good living, but he really wanted to move back to our home town and has never even gotten a nibble.
My vote- get your license stuff all moved over to NY (if you haven't) and see what kind of work you can get first. Once you're hired, they can't fire you for going back to school.
P.S. Too old, ha ha ha ha ha. I'd have you teach ANY of my kids over a 23 year old any day.

[alleycat]

Linda if you truly think you would benefit from it than do it. As you said you have many more good years ahead of you. Pick your school and do it. Cost might be an issue but long term employment can be a result. Also your field is always looking for qualified people. Just do it.

[rebel100]

Not to old, but why not intensively study for 6 to 12 months at WGU vs the other intensive study at 10 times the price....assuming WGU meets the teaching requirements.

I like the idea of getting your foot in the door while quietly pursuing the masters too.

Kinda unbelievable that the masters could actually hurt you....topsy turvy world were living in.

[marianne202]

I have to agree with Jennifer here. I think as tight budget cuts come down schools are scaling back and one area is to hire experienced teachers over those with advanced degrees. I also know that many states won't hire the teachers they are producing in their State schools until they have at least 2 years experience regardless of education level. They need 2 full-years of teaching as the primary teacher, not subbing. We get a ton of new grads from PA, NJ etc down here because NC has such a teacher shortage in rural schools, we take anyone (read that as not a good thing!), with any level degree, but pay based on experience, not degree. I do think return on investment is another consideration. Realistically, you won't work long enough to ensure a retirement pension, so would you really earn back that $35K or be more in the hole during retirement as a result. I know that was a huge consideration I had about pursuing my MHA and Post-Bacc as I turn 50 in a few months. I knew at my current teaching I would probably never recoup what I paid to get the degree, but I'm now able to move into another job that will help me recoup that money, but with a teaching specific degree would you have that same option and desire? If money isn't an issue and retirement isn't and issue and it is the only to fulfill your dream job, then do it, but I agree that getting hired first then looking at the salary, growth and retirement options makes more sense. Most schools have some program where you can do a lateral entry program and they give you a set time frame to complete teaching credentialing and that is the way I would consider to protect your long-term interests. Just my 1/2 cent opinion, which is probably worth less than that now days! Good luck! I know you really want to get into teaching, but subbing has a lot of benefits, like time off whenever you want!

[taylor]

I can't speak as an administrator, but personally I would be very cautious about taking on debt for school at 60. Administrators aren't going to come out and say it, but I would be very surprised if you didn't face age discrimination.

I agree. Several years back when I was in NJ and finishing up my degree at TESC I would've said it's never too late to start a new career but my feelings have changed drastically since. I know it's not the "feel good" answer but it's the most realistic imo. Having gone through the whole crazy job search and working for large companies I do know ageism is ALIVE and VERY REAL. Even myself being just over 40, I know there are certain fields that I would have a tough time getting into or no chance at all. Also I noticed more and more of my friends are quitting their 6 figure jobs and starting their own companies knowing that companies are looking for younger/cheaper employees. Recently, one of my new customers told me he started purchasing products from me because his other long time supplier was too old. I chuckled but then I thought is this customer going to abandon me when I get too many grays too. In a weird way, this is probably why I keep myself in shape. Members at my crossfit are blown away when they find out that I'm 42 years old, especially when I smoke them all including the instructors in sprints, lol. I think getting a masters is great but depending on how old you are and where you are in life you almost have to throw ROI out the window. I might get an MBA or a masters too in the near future but I know at this point in my life it will do very little to increase my income so it would be definitely be more of a personal enrichment thing which is not a bad thing either.

[GoodYellowDogs]

GO FOR IT! I'm 59 and I'll be starting my MBA in the Fall.

People live longer and work longer - and it's easier to compete for jobs when you are well educated and have experience.

[Lindagerr]

I can always rely on my IC friends to give me their honest unpolished opinion. I left a few things out. I do not have to work, we can make it on one salary so I am not sure I want to work full time. I HATE NY:ack: Or at least this part of it in the winter. I have lots of friends and relatives I can visit from Dec.-April in nice warm places from NC-FL. So if I had a full time job I couldn't run away in the winter. I also have over 30 years experience in a chemical lab so I could probably get a lab job Temp/Full/Part time if I needed to. But I LOVE teaching and working with children. In NJ I could sub everyday or once a month if I wanted to, there was(and still is) a need for more subs and the only requirement is 60 college credits.

In NJ I could get a job as a teacher of general classes in K-9 or as a math or Science teacher in grade 5-8. I could sub in any grade PreK- 12.

In NY I can not teach without already having my certificate. They do not acknowledge any of the certificates I have from NJ because I have not student taught. In NY Most school districts will not even look at your resume as a sub if you are not certified at least in one subject. Following is an example of what they want.


[TABLE="class: frmpfields"]
[TR]
[TH]District/Corporation[/TH]
[TD]Orleans-Niagara BOCES [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Title[/TH]
[TD]Substitute Teacher [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Building/Location[/TH]
[TD]Various locations in Orleans and Niagara counties. [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Job Number[/TH]
[TD]3300003005 [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Job Type[/TH]
[TD]Substitute Teacher {SUBD}
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE="class: frmpfields"]
[TR]
[TH]Certification Type[/TH]
[TD] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Other Certification Type(s)[/TH]
[TD] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Description[/TH]
[TD]Most assignments occur in vocational education and special education settings. Some assignments may occur in regular education settings. Assignments would be Monday - Friday. Teacher certification is preferred. Recruitment is continuous.


[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


I applied for and was hired for this job. It is not in my county so most assignments are 30-60 minutes away. I have only been offered spots at "Learning Centers" as an Aide. As an Aide I get paid $50 a day, I have only been called to work with severely mentally and/or physically handicapped children. Don't get me wrong I love these kids but what I am doing is more like babysitting then teaching. I have only been doing this a couple of months so it might be better next year.


I would prefer to teach or sub in 4th-8th grade but I will do any grade at this point. So I put in applications for every opening I see that is not to far away (over 45 min) or that will give me at least a look. The following is more like the want ads from most districts including the town and county I live in.

[TABLE="class: frmpfields"]
[TR]
[TH]District/Corporation[/TH]
[TD]Depew Union Free School District [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Title[/TH]
[TD]Substitute Teacher Recruitment [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Building/Location[/TH]
[TD]Varies by certification [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Job Number[/TH]
[TD]3300003767
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Job Type[/TH]
[TD]Substitute Teacher {SUBD} [/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE="class: frmpfields"]
[TR]
[TH]Other Certification Type(s)
[/TH]
[TD]Must be certified and viewable on TEACH as so. [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Description[/TH]
[TD]Proof of issued NYS certification must be viewable on TEACH to be considered for an interview. You will also need to upload a letter of interest, resume,3 letters of recommendation, and transcripts.


[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

FYI: TEACH is the NYgov site that has everything about teaching and certification.

On my TEACH account it says "Notice of Incomplete Requirements" Then if you click it gives a 3 page report of what I am missing and what I have to do to get certified. So I was looking at ways to get this done and the local college was a possibility. I have looked further and WGU is also a possibility but I am afraid they will send me into downtown Buffalo for my student teaching. I am a country girls and city kids worry me a little.

So I sit here and say I should just go get the Masters, But it will be about $5K at the least. But I love teaching, but they have so many out of work teachers in NY they don't need uncertified subs, but they still have a shortage of Science teachers especially with Special Ed., but do I want to go back on a school schedule, but if I spend this money shouldn't I plan on working full time, but I HATE NY winters. :willynilly:banghead

So when I couldn't sleep this morning I decided to ask my IC friends for an opinion. The problem is it looks like you guys are as divided as I am.

As you can see getting a job without having the certification is a one in a million chance, getting a job after the certification is only about a one in 250,000 chance.

I worked hard for my degrees, I was going to stop after the first AA but I liked school and went for the BA, if I was really smart I would have forgot about teaching and just gone for the BS in environmental Science. Oh well I did have fun for 4 years subbing in NJ and if I ever move back there I can do that again.



Thank you all for letting me ramble I have not made any friends in NY yet and my NJ friends are kind of falling away. At least I can always count on my IC friends.

[NAP]

Can you use your current education and change your teaching focus to something else that still fits your talents and schedule? For instance, would these work - GED classes, community college classes, CLEP classes, or tutoring at any level?