Well, none of the above ended up happening. I did get a job, though! And I actually did get into Michigan State’s Master’s endorsement cohort program last summer (‘08). However things quickly went to hell in a handbasket when I couldn’t afford to pay for it. I did complete the courses but ended up not getting credit for them. I figure knowledge gained is never wasted, and I did learn a lot of useful things… but it’s very frustrating. I may try again this summer or next fall, but not at MSU. Too many hassles and the huge campus is a serious pain in the ass to get around. Some teachers in my building are in an endorsement program at Spring Arbor College… they all speak highly of it so I’m going to give it a go. Added bonus, seems like they have more online courses available than MSU… big plus since the “distance learning” model works really well for me.
YamiNoSensei has written 3 entries about this goal
I have a job offer that’s conditional on enrolling in coursework toward the endorsement. So with blazing tenacity like Ryu in “Shaman King”, I managed to enroll in MSU the same week classes began, AND found a displaced worker program that will pay for it. A couple snags to iron out but hopefully all will be resigned tomorrow. I don’t know if it’s because I was so determined this time or what, but I managed to get past all the roadblocks I’ve run into the 2 or 3 times I tried to get in classes before.
I am still hoping to get hired by the Clark County Schools (Las Vegas) next year & get into their cohort program the following year. They seem to value teachers a lot more out there. But then most states seem to value us more than Michigan does. Teachers are leaving MI in droves and I hope to join their number! But for now… I’ll work toward my goal in the way that’s available to me.
My lack of progress on this is discouraging… even though I realize it’s due to my extremely dire financial situation of the past year. Which is ironic as my lack of this endorsement is also the cause of said situation. No Child Left Behind sucks huge donkey dicks.
Glimmer of hope: Prospects of getting work w/the Clark Cty School District and moving to the Las Vegas area. Nevada has a special ed cohort program that sounds killer. Six months with a Nevada district qualifies you… you spend a full school year taking classes full time and being paid your full salary. At the end you’ve earned your special ed endorsement! Why can’t MI offer something like that?
Easy answer… because Nevada is in the midst of great prosperity & growth, while Michigan is rapidly becoming an infinitely depressing economic abyss.
