New to the Forum

**eresos** · 05-20-2005, 04:09 AM

I just joined a few minutes ago. I wish I had found this place sooner. It seems like a great place to share thoughts and insights on education. I have a MS in Elementary Ed and have been substituting for years now waiting for an opportunity to get a full time position.

Recently, I received some advice to get a certificate in a subject area to increase my chances. I met with a local university advisor today & of course, it was the last day to enroll for the summer session that begins on Monday. I signed up but am somewhat apprehensive as to if I made the best decision since I didn't have the chance to think it over and research my possiblities. I am getting a Certificate for Teacher of Students with Special Needs. I am nervous about going back to Academia after so long, but I think it cannot hurt.

Have any of you had such difficulty finding full-time work? I am wondering if this Certificate will really be worthwhile in helping me get into a classroom.

I think I have not been as aggressive thus far because just being with the children as a substitute and helping them even with little things is so rewarding. I really go home smiling everytime I go into the classroom. I just wish it would be on a more regular basis.

Looking forward to reading more of everyone's thoughts & experiences here!

**gatorpe** · 05-20-2005, 01:11 PM

If special needs is like ESE (in fla) your job opportunities will
go up exponentially.............good luck.
Welcome to the forum.

**eresos** · 05-20-2005, 08:17 PM

thank you for the encouragement, gatrope. the more information I get on this program, the more I feel that it will open doors for me & it will be more than useful knowledge to bring to the table if and when I get a full time elementary classroom of my own. I also feel that working with students with special needs is something I could excell at b/c it just hits home even more so to why I got into teaching to begin with.

It feels like a step backwards in a way to go back to school before I get a job, but I have substituted for years and it hasn't gotten me very far.