Texas Teachers

[gigiapril]

This is for all texas teachers who got certified via an alternative certification program:

#1 I am currently studying for Math 4-8 #115 content exam...I was wondering what opinions people might have about the exam. I am reviewing the TeXes study/prep manual and also using XAM review book.

#2...I am registered with Texas Teachers...if anyone has any experience with them it would be great. I just wasn't sure how the process went. I know you have to take content exams and then...take their classes...but that first year of student teaching/internship...is that a job you have to go and land on your own? I assume basically I need to apply to all the school districts around me and hope that one of them hires me even though I am not certified yet? THanks

[ars1984]

I am not sure how your certification is allowing you to do your stuff but.....

I am beginning this coming up school year as my internship. I decided to do over student teaching. An internship is where you ARE the teacher, get paid as a regular teacher, have a probationary certificate, and also get supervised through your school. You do have to go land a job all on your own.
Student teaching, however, is something your school or program should setup for you. Some places make you student teach for 1 semester and some the whole year.

As for the TExES tes...I am EC-4 certified so this may not apply to you but I did not study at all for my content or PPR and did absolutely fine, passed the first time.
Good luck on everything!!

[Ms. Bell]

Hi Gigi,

I went through a university for my certification program. From what I've heard from others that have gone through non-university programs, there are more rules and restrictions. Being placed as a student teacher came with my program and it was a 12 week internship. Other programs issue probationary certificates, place you in a full-time teaching position, but you still have to jump through their hoops until you get fully certified. Not to mention, your probationary cert. only lasts one year.

I personally dont think you will have a problem getting a job on a probationary certificate since math is one of the jobs that is in demand right now. Keep studying. I don't think it's very smart to not prepare yourself- too much is at stake. Some programs make you retake your courses (at your own expense) if you fail your test or internship. Not to mention, you've delayed your career, and lost your test fee. The content exams are not easy. If you take the pedagogy with the attitude of what you would want if you were the student, you will do just fine. Good luck!

[jmelperez]

Hi Gigiapril,

I am currently with Texas Teachers as well. I passed my 4-8 generalist exam and used the study guide to study. I would DEFINITELY recommend studying prior to the exam. It is too important, as Ms. Bell says.
Once you pass the content exam, you start to look for your internship. I have been applying to all of the districts around me and usually on the application there is a place where you can write in additional info. I have been writing in that I am in Tx Teachers and have passed the content exam. I just started applying this last week, so haven't heard anything but hoping to hear something.
After you get hired, then there is all of the info on the Tx Teachers website that explains what to do. I hope this helps and good luck!

[smithmt]

Have you taken the PPR (pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities) TExES test yet? that's the same test for everyone (with differences for secondary and elem-which you are) As far as studying for that test, just remember... it's not what you will do in the classroom; because we all know what works on paper doesn't always work in life... Answer what you would do if you had all the time in the world, both in your classroom as well as after school.

as far as the Student Teaching/ Internship difference... you should talk to your mentor, or supervising professor, or whatever jargon they use in
Texas Teachers. I've had two student teachers from Southwest Texas, and one mentee from Region 13, which is also an alt. cert. program, and none of them used the jargon I was used to from my college program.

I would also ask how the placement of those programs work. I believe the student teaching, at least with the collegiate programs, is determined by where you are located geographically... but like I said that's with the colleges... you could probably pick your location by a dart toss. but I think the best person to ask these questions is an adviser, or mentor teacher at your cert. program.

:-) sorry I'm not better help.

[August]

I am a Texas teacher who is going through alternative certification right now. I'm am English so I can't help you on that ...

I am doing a different program than you, but I have been hired as an 8th grade English teacher. It's really an "internship" but I will be treated like and paid just like any first-year teacher. I will just have university supervisors coming in every once in a while. I was responsible for securing my own job. My program gives us advice and everything, but ultimately, it's our responsibility

[SouthernTwist]

How long did it take for you all to receive your scores for your test after taking it?

[mrsvmax68]

Hello All,

I received my Teacher certification years ago in Generalist 4-8. I have left teaching for a few years and I am now getting ready to take the EC-4 Generalist and HS English TExES exams. I have been working with a couple of different study guides, and they both have questions where they give you a poem or piece of literature and then ask you who the author is. Can anyone tell me if there is alot of emphasis put on these questions, or are they minimal.

Any tips or hints would be much appreciated.

Thank you, Anne