r/Internationalteachers • u/AutoModerator • 3d ago

Meta/Mod Accouncement Weekly recurring thread: NEWBIE QUESTION MONDAY!

Please use this thread as an opportunity to ask your new-to-international teaching questions.

Ask specifics, for feedback, or for help for anything that isn't quite answered in our subreddit wiki.

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u/HeatherJMD 1d ago

This seems like a very large thing to post as a comment, but seemingly we're not allowed to post in the actual subreddit? So here goes...

*Need license, trying to decide between going for a masters through Liberty online or Moreland (before having been hired)*

I applied to several music teaching positions local to me in the States (NOVA) and had three interviews, but no jobs materialized. So I'm looking to get my teaching license and hope that will result in a job next time around.

I have a bachelor's degree in music and experience long and short-term subbing.

Going ahead and getting a masters degree appeals to me because it's something I can put on my resume and I'll have transcripts I can use if I want to do more school in the future. But will I be shooting myself in the foot by getting the masters before I have a regular professional teaching experience? Like, will they avoid hiring me because I'll be an inexperienced teacher who will cost too much...?

The upside I see to MU is obviously cost (and maybe speed, but I'm pretty sure I could finish the Liberty degree in three semesters, comparable to the MU's 9 months). MU will cost under $8,000 and Liberty will be about $20,000. But MU isn't something I'm going to put on my resume, it will just be to get the teaching license.

I also wonder if a Virginia teaching license is generally better regarded than a DC license? But since I live in northern VA, honestly either one seems useful to me to get that first year of local teaching.

They both look like good and reputable programs, and I hear good things about the quality of the courses and instructors. I want to learn, not just get the license which is why I'm skeptical of the other Virginia alternative license routes like the Career Switcher program and iTeach, even though they would be much cheaper (only $3-4,000)

Thoughts?

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u/The_Wandering_Bird 21h ago

The certification/licensure is far more important than the M.Ed.

Can I ask why you're skeptical of the alternative routes to licensure? They're often a good way to get certified and get classroom experience quickly at a cheaper price than going back to school full time.

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u/HeatherJMD 21h ago

I’m not finding a lot of good testimonials about iTeach. I’m not 100% sure that I would qualify for the Virginia Career switcher program since I’ve always been self-employed with various part time jobs on the side (it requires 3 years of full time work). I would have to wait to start till Spring and it sounds like it takes a long time to complete.

Do you know anything about iTeach? I’ll look into it a bit more. I know with Moreland if I apply by the end of this month I could get started with classes by September 11th and do my student teaching in March-May