My Degree Path

I have decided to continue on my current path. Meaning I am going to continue to pursue my degree in Computer and Information Science at the University of Maryland University College.

I spent Monday applying for a federal grant. It took me all day. Lily was not allowed to watch cartoons due to bad behavior the previous week, so trying to spend a day on the computer was a nightmare. I finally got it all done, only to be told, no money for you. But, if you want to be a teacher we will give you oodles of money.

I thought maybe that was a sign and I really do want to be a teacher. I can imagine myself as a teacher. So I looked into transferring to a local school, majoring in math licensure, which is the correct path to being a teacher in Mississippi. Turns out I would have three years of school, instead of one, left to complete that degree. That is three years going a little more than full time. I basically had only a few classes that I have taken that could be applied toward this degree. If I want to spend three years in school, why not get my BS in computers and information science and a masters in education?

Another option is that after I get my degree in CIS I can use the spouses to teachers program which helps spouses of military members to become teachers. Basically if you have a bachelors degree they will help you to take tests and take a few classes and become a teacher. Instead of getting a five year license I would only be allowed a one year at a time license renewal based on the review of my supervisor. They also say that if you teach math in a low income school they will forgive your student loans. I think you have to teach for four years?

I have also done some research about jobs available in the area. Not any web developers or web designers. But, plenty of jobs for someone with a CIS degree. Now I just have to figure out how to apply for a student loan. I am going to attempt to take 5 classes at a time and knock out this degree as fast as possible. At least I will be busy while Lily is in school.

Thanks for all your advice. There is still a part of me that envisions myself becoming a math teacher someday. Just not sure which of the hoops I am going to jump threw to make it there. Perhaps after I start working I can go for a second bachelors degree in math for licensure because all those classes seem important.

I take that back. I want to teach math to junior high school students, which will be algebra as the highest class. I have to take about 10 classes in really high math. Calculus, and beyond. What is the point of being able to do Einstein math if you are going to be teaching 11 year olds how to do fractions and simple algebra? Seems like the how to teach math classes are important but why do you need to find derivatives if you aren't going to be using it? All the math classes are set up in a way that you have to take one before you can take the next. But the first one in the series is so many levels above what a person would be teaching in junior high or high school. I guess the theory is that you have to know everything there is to know about math before you can be a junior high school math teacher. That seems dumb to me. No wonder we have a shortage of math teachers. And then they will allow you to become a math teacher without any math training by alternative means because of the shortage. Seems it would make more sense to change to requirements to become a math teacher so that more people are able to accomplish it. Do we really need a person who has the same exact math skills as a rocket scientists in order for that person to teach math. I mean if I were to take all those classes I think I might decide to be a rocket scientist instead. No wonder we as a nation are so far behind other countries in math. We need people who understand algebra and are good with kids, have a way with words, etc to teach algebra...not someone who can do calculus and linear algebra and advanced number theory. Not saying I couldn't do all that stuff, I got 100% of all points possible in both semesters of calculus 20 years ago, but it takes three years to take all those math classes and they aren't even necessary, or are they?

/rant