Reading Teacher/Specialist

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  • #591649
    jobless
    Member

    I just got my Masters in Teaching Literacy. When I started the program, I was under the impression that I could get a good job with this degree. Now, however, I’m having trouble finding one. Anybody have any leads? P.S. I live in Monsey. Thanks.

    #928529
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    Many schools work with graduates to help with placement. Have you tried the alumni affairs office of your school?

    The Wolf

    #928530
    tomim tihye
    Member

    If you e-mail me through ywn, I can give you the number of a reading specialist in Monsey who receives more calls for help than she can assume; she may give your number to them.

    (She uses Dr. Ribowsky’s method.)

    #928531
    654321
    Participant

    anyone know the job market these days? my daughter is getting her masters in education/literacy and will be looking for a job (that pays!)- what do you think?

    #928532
    tomim tihye
    Member

    There are many children who do not catch on to reading and require intervention. Depending on where you live, the government may sponsor reading help, benefitting your daughter.

    For example, in NY, if you become a certified teacher, there are an abundance of P-3’s waiting to be filled.

    #928533
    dvorak
    Member

    Job market for education is the worst its been in DECADES. I am stuck in a similar position. Wolf- yes, schools have placement offices. But those can only do so much when there’s nowhere to place…

    #928534
    jobless
    Member

    tomim tihye – How do I e-mail you? (I’m not sure this will work for me because I have young children and I’m usually busy with them during after-school hours, but I could use good contacts. Your contact may have some valuable info for me.)

    #928535
    littleeema
    Participant

    jobless:

    Let me understand this. You finished a masters in a field which requires you to work with kids when they’re available (after school/sundays??) and then are having a hard time getting a job which allows you to be home with your kids after school?

    You were ill-advised…

    When my daughter was looking at careers, she was told (by one of the frum “ezpass” degree programs) – become a therapist, you can make your own hours. Sure – (insert sarcasm here) – no one wants to take their child to a therapist after school, or on sundays….only when it’s convenient to you.

    we and our daughters have become victims of the entitlement mentality. If you want to earn a decent living, you need to work – and work hard. If be”h you are successful, THEN you can make your hours and pick your clients..

    #928536
    bozo
    Participant

    im half way done my b.a. and im thinking of doing the reading specialist masters. i thought there’s jobs for reading specialist!! anyone know how the job market in nj is for such jobs?

    what are the top jobs that are not flooded yet and pay well???

    #928537
    AnonyMiss
    Participant

    I actually just registered today for special education grad school. I was deciding between a special education and a teaching literacy program. I chose special ed because I think there are more work opportunities. Does anyone know more about the two fields? I still have two weeks to change my mind…

    #928538
    littleeema
    Participant

    NJ???

    Havent you heard how the new governor is cutting education jobs??

    #928539
    jobless
    Member

    littleema: First of all, I started this thread to get advice and encouragement… Secondly, it is true that reading specialists and therapists can eventually make their own hours and you are right that at the beginning they have to work much harder. That is why many therapists and reading specialists start off in schools or other programs which take place during the day. And actually, I am looking into working in a school right now. However, I have not yet found a job. I was just wondering if anyone had any leads or ideas.

    #928540
    oomis
    Participant

    What about a SEIT job?

    #928541
    simcha man
    Member

    Jobless, Hatzlacha in finding a job. I actually have a masters in teaching literacy but my experience using it did not come along as I would have imagined. I’m actually a high school teacher and I use it with my S.E. students in all subject areas (yes, including math) to help my students with comprehension skills. All I can suggest is, get into a [S.E.] school system and build up your reputation that way. It will take a few years, but if your good, your name will run before you.

    #928542
    anonymisss
    Participant

    If you’re planning to live in Lakewood, don’t bother with either special ed or literacy. You may be able to find a job, but you will not make money. I have a bachelor’s in special ed and a master’s in reading and it got me nowhere. I have a job but the pay is very little, (especially compared to what I got paid in Brooklyn.) In Brooklyn there are job opportunities for more money, in Lakewood you will work just as hard and receive half the pay.

    I have gone back to school for a master’s in a totally different area and I did my research. There is a need for it in Lakewood. I can’t tell you what to do with your life, however, I strongly advise you to do extensive research before spending your time and money on any college.

    ~a~

    #928544
    bozo
    Participant

    anonymiss ive been doing my research and it seems like there’s nothing to do since e/t is flooded-accounting, speech and ot, special ed, teachers, social workers…. please do advise cuz im in middle of my b.a. and now im stuck. i like working with ppl so what jobs are available??????helppp!!!

    #928545
    anonymisss
    Participant

    bozo,

    All the things that you mentioned are degrees that are offered through Jewish programs. You need to look outside of that and see what else there is. Are you interested in being a paralegal? A physical therapist? A computer programmer? I can’t tell you what you’re interested in doing but I definitely think you should look beyond Raizel Reit, Bulka, Sara Schenirer, etc.

    Good Luck!

    ~a~

    #928546
    squeak
    Participant

    I don’t know the statistics of it, but it seems to me that a very high percentage of children are receiving “special” education.

    Is there any reason why we are still calling this “special education” instead of just training our mainstream teachers in these methods? It seems we are creating twice as many educators as we need.

    #928547
    tomim tihye
    Member

    Jobless- Firstly, I will forward my email address to mods, so hopefully you will get it. This reading specialist has children coming to her home during school hours only.

    Secondly, are you a certified teacher? If you are, call all schools in your area and put out ads (for parents) to let everyone know that a P-3 provider who specializes in reading is available. For 1 child per hour, the pay (through DOE) is $41.98/hr.

    Thirdly, you can contact agencies that provide Title I services (Catapult, Higher Learning, don’t know the rest). They send you to schools; you teach in groups of at least 3.

    Fourthly, if you really need to work and are certified for birth and up or K-12, you can work for an EI agency or provide SEIT (ages 3-5). (SEIT pays $60/hr through an agency, and you may be able to incorporate your reading degree when working with the kids.)

    #928548
    tomim tihye
    Member

    anonymiss- you mentioned paralegal and computer programming as career options. Do you personally know anyone who recently entered either of these fields and makes a decent salary working part-time? Generally, well-paying office jobs require full-time hours plus some, not ideal for a young mother.

    As you also mentioned, physical therapy can be a good option; just realize that it frequently requires strenuous physical labor, such as lifting or moving disabled children/adults, also not ideal for a young mother.

    #928549
    tomim tihye
    Member

    Squeak- it would be wonderful to see special educators in our mainstream classrooms! But none of us with degrees will teach for minimum wages.

    #928550
    tomim tihye
    Member

    Bozo- May I recommend a book that I really found useful, “Do What You Are.”

    There are many more professions out there with which you may not yet be familiar; however, if you are really interested in pursuing one of the more typical professions, go for it.

    If it’s very “you”, you’ll probably do fine in it, and you’ll enjoy your job!

    #928551
    AnonyMiss
    Participant

    From what it sounds like, living in Lakewood and have a special ed degree won’t get you too far- any other ideas before I waste my time and money.

    AnonymissS- what did you go back to school to get another master’s degree in?

    #928552
    bozo
    Participant

    anonymisss- im actually not looking at the jewish programs, too expensive and SOME arent on a high education level to actually learn something. a paralegal is being the lawyers slave without getting paid enough. physical therapist is too physically hard for me and computer programmer is with computers and i dont like the screen kind of job. i actually am interested in audiologist but seems like u need a phd. i want to be a history proffesor but takes years and gotta teach until then and make no money. so nothing is working out so far, keep the ideas coming! what masters did u go back to school for??

    #928553
    jobless
    Member

    tomim tihye: Thanks so much for your advice and useful information. I’m waiting to hear more details from you. Tizke/Tizki L’mitzvohs!

    #928554

    Bozo- I actually know a few people who mastered in speech and specialized in audiology. It seems to me that the market is flooded with mainstream proffesionals, but there is always a need for specialists. I personally know three parents that are looking for feeding therapists, and another few that need a sensory intergration therapist…

    #928555
    tomim tihye
    Member

    moving mountains- That seems to be correct from my experience as well. Specializing in something is usually a great way to go

    within special ed and the therapies.

    jobless- I gave YWN my email address to forward to you yesterday.

    bozo- The amount of years spent pursuing a career may seem daunting, but try not to let it interfere! Also, do you know for sure that you can’t teach history at the bachelor’s level with a master’s? You can certainly teach in the well-paying high schools with a master’s degree.

    #928556

    Although audiology and speech-language pathology are related fields and are certified by the same organization (ASHA), in order to practice in either one, you need to have a separate degree. You can not get a masters in speech, and then practice as an audiologist. You are correct about requiring a doctorate to practice as an audiologist, but if that is what you are interested in, it is certainly worth looking into further.

    #928557
    bozo
    Participant

    tomim-with a masters i could teach undergrad, but im dont know about the job market for proffesors, its hard to figure it out online. ill ask my prof tonite if he knows anything about it. which highschools pay well, MO schools? the regular highschools pay zilch….anyone know of any other jobs i can do with a masters in history that is practical for frum person?

    #928558
    anonymisss
    Participant

    My cousin is a history prof, makes a nice living.

    ~a~

    #928559
    yhuisman
    Member

    I’m reading specialist for lashon Hakodesh

    I have a comprehensive materiaal from more than 5000 pages,

    for al the kriah also for adult and special need.

    I have experience teaching children throught the computer and training teachers: italie french, long island,miami, israel,….

    kol tuv

    shoshanna

    #928560
    fabie
    Member

    This is a very depressing thread. It reminds me of my personal experience in Eretz Yisroel. I personally was planning on learning full time for far longer, however, a family member strongly persuaded me to teach in his Yeshiva Ketana, which is considered quite respectable in Eretz Yisroel. The Yeshiva was built for lower achieving students, but in reality the vast majority needed professional special ed. After asking two gedolim, I started college, BA, MEd, as well as a three year Learning Disability Evaluation program, and other courses. I’ve had various positions, most paid close to nothing, with other issues as well.

    As someone else pointed out here. I think your best bet is finding something necessary without being overflooded. Off the tip of my tongue, possibly Clinical Psychology, Play Therapy.

    Good luck.

    #928561
    fabie
    Member

    Just out of curosity. I heard that pharmacists pay quite well, and the ownly need a BA if I’m not mistaken. Haven’t seen that mentioned here in this thread.

    #928562
    tomim tihye
    Member

    Pharmacists do earn nicely, but only a BA?! Try a doctorate! It is a six-year program, though, not like a full PhD. LIU is a popular college option, though there are others.

    #928563
    jobless
    Member

    tomim tihye: I still have not received your info. If you don’t mind, please e-mail me at [email protected]. Thanks so much!

    #928564
    yehudayona
    Participant

    I’m an unemployed teacher certified in special ed and math. I have two master’s degrees from reputable colleges. It’s a very tough market, which is why I’m back in school to earn certification in a field where there’s a shortage (and very few programs turning out teachers). The problem, of course, is that everybody jumps into the field that currently seen as having a shortage, so there ends up being a surplus of people in that field. You have to stay a step ahead of the crowd. If the frum programs are pushing degrees in (insert field here), it’s probably too late. Also, if a school has a choice of hiring (a) someone with experience, (b) someone without experience but with a degree from a real college, or (c) someone without experience and with a degree from one of the frum programs, which do think comes in third? A yeshiva might hire someone in category c, but the pay will probably be low and the check will probably be late.

    To do P-3 (available only in NYC), you need to be certified in special education (or students with disabilities, as the newer certification is called). I’ve done it, and it’s OK for extra income, but of course there are no benefits.

    Anybody out there familiar with opportunities in nursing? I believe it used to be a field with a shortage where you could make your own hours. The preparation is rigorous, so if you’re looking for an easy degree, forget it.

    #928565
    tomim tihye
    Member

    yehudayona: If you think P-3 is ok only for extra income, how’s this?

    Five groups (1 hr each) per day with 5 students in each group ($105/group) x 5 days/week = $2,625/week.

    It’s easier to obtain groups of 5 if you teach high school math or science.

    #928566
    anonymisss
    Participant

    …which means you need to be certified to teach high school.

    ~a~

    #928567
    bozo
    Participant

    it seems like anonymisss and yehudayona both know what markets have a shortage. please shareeeee!!!!!!!

    btw anyone know anything about a masters in library science? is there a need??

    #928568
    SJSinNYC
    Member

    bozo, engineering is generally a safe bet.

    #928569
    P3 maven
    Member

    If you hold a NYS teaching certificate you are able to do P-3. There is a new agency opening called AlwYs a Step Ahead. They send providers into yeshivahs and have an after school program as well!! They are located in Brooklyn. If you are qualified or want more information call now! 917-660-7173 pr e-mail at [email protected]

    #928570
    jobless
    Member

    tomim tihye: PLEASE e-mail me. It sounds like you might actually be able to help me… EDITED, emails not allowed, email a moderator if you want to contact another member.

    P3 maven: Do you know if you have to be certified specifically in special ed or can you be certified in something like Literacy to become a P3 provider?

    #928571
    tomim tihye
    Member

    Anonymiss: No, you do not need to be certified for high school to be high school P-3 provider anymore! Beginning recently, a 1-6 license is fine for HS. Contact Agudah if you want confirmation: 212-797-9000.

    Jobless: It’s my understanding that if you took the LAST and CST Multi-Subject exams, then even if your BA is in another field, you may provide P-3.

    #928572
    yehudayona
    Participant

    Unless things have changed recently, you must be certified in Special Education or Students with Disabilities in order to do P3. Theoretically, you can make good money, but good luck getting those groups together. The yeshivas aren’t interested in P3’s before 2:00 PM, the blocks are typically 40 or 45 minutes, the kids don’t show up, etc. I know one frum provider who does Catholic schools in the morning and yeshivas in the afternoon. Guess which group she prefers to work with.

    If you do P3 through an agency, they’ll take a cut. I’ve always done it directly, so I don’t know what the cut is, but I suspect it’s more than nominal.

    Bozo, I mentioned that I’m back in school to get an additional certification in a field where there’s a shortage. It’s Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired. I believe there are only three colleges in NYS that offer it: Hunter, Teachers College, and Dominican.

    #928574
    GuyL
    Member

    Does anyone know a P3 provider who is a reading specialist using Orton Gillingham in Williamsburg? I need services for a 17-year-old girl.

    #928575
    chanasara
    Member

    try contacting leah david at ohr halimud in brooklyn. she runs a school that uses o-g and also offers teacher training in the o-g method, so she may have recommendations for you. hatzlacha

    #928576

    If moving is an option, public schools in the northern suburbs of chicago pay very well, and you could just commute from WRP, most of the public schools in the north shore have hebrew language classes, some taught by frum teachers/ otherwise Israelis, so being a religious Jew is more easily understood (plus many baalei teshuva start keeping shabbos when they are in a public high school… so they have seen girls in skirts before. Plus there are many different schools in chicago to choose from.

    #928577
    GuyL
    Member

    I spoke to Leah David last week and her recommendation was to send the child to BP. I need someone in Williamsburg.

    #928578
    yehudayona
    Participant

    The problem is that P3 pays $41.98 an hour, which is much less than someone certified in O-G can make. Please note that the only real O-G certification is from the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. It’s a rigorous training program, so there are not a lot of people who are certified. You can Google the Academy and click on “find a practitioner.” If you fight for it, the DOE may approve an “enhanced rate” so that they’ll pay something close to the going hourly rate. You’ll probably need to engage the services of an advocate to get this.

    #928579

    Dear Ms. Jobless,

    The question is where and how you got your degree from. Yes, because many areas are flooded many agencies have the upper hand and look at where you got your degree from. Some ez programs which may sound quick and easy to do won’t get you far in the job market today because of availability. Speaking for myself i was from the first group of SEIT bilinguals certified in 1992. In those years we had the phone number of the top person in DOE in Albany who answered our questions and guided us.

    If you are professional, like what you are doing and with good schooling there should be no problem with getting a job. With myself i have as much work that i want and when i want it. This year i decided not to take cases and yes i was called back to work and pick and choose my cases.

    Your objective should be enjoying what you are or will be doing.If the primary objective is earning alot money, that will come through and no job for you and even if you land a job and are just busy counting how much money you will earn, you won’t last long working. Yes, i know you need the parnassah but you can’t make that the main thing now. Start at what you can get and you can work your way up if you are good at what you do.

    Currently i am taking my grandchild for P/T to an agency run and owned by frum people but hiring physical therapists with schooling from top schools not the overnight degree programs. None of the parents, most of whom are ultra frum have an issue with children being serviced by different ethnicities and who don’t speak Yiddish or men servicing girls. The parents want quality servicing!! So if you want to land a good job do it the right way not throug such as programs which sound as right but called REIT(pronounced right).

    Too many P3 providers are those therapists who were doing SEIT and went through many agencies who saw through them very quickly and no more cases for them.

    Another issue about P3 in schools is that they may hire a superviser who is the so called P3 provider who signs for all children who are approved and this supervisor then hires young girls for as low as $10 to provide services. So yes, this supervisor has a good job and the school does not have to pay them a salary and someone without a degree is doing the work. Some of these girls without degrees may or may not be qualified…and even if yes will not go to any college program.

    Good Luck to all of you going for quick degrees but remember most parents will do information on therapists as by a shidduch.

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