*Veena or anyone else who did Alternate Route*

Magoobie1001

FI is seriously thinking about doing alternate route to become an elementry ed. teacher. Any advice on where to start or what he should do? Thanks!

mrs.spunky1508

::butting in:: Shara, I love that picture. What a drink! I think Veena did NJCU's program.

mbcdefg

Ditto Kate, contact NJCU and find out. They have a lot of options available if he wants to be a teacher. Especially for people with jobs who need to take nighttime classes and stuff like that. A word of advice, though - make sure he's VERY on top of things in terms of paperwork and what classes to take, because their administration and staff aren't always the most organized depending on who you're dealing with. If he decides to go there, my advice would be to find a very trustworthy advisor who knows what (s)he is talking about, and just make very sure that he knows what classes he needs and in what order he needs to take them. FI came home with horror stories about the education department on some nights, and got the runaround once or twice by being advised to wait to take classes that he could've gotten out of the way much earlier. It really is a good school, but you're very "on your own" in a lot of cases.

alliecarrie41

NJCU leads the nj pathways program.  i know because i sold them all their books.   sorry   oh, also my sister is in this i think if you want to page her, laurenlacey.  she takes classes at bergen cc.

laurenlacey

I did NJCU's New Pathways program, just finished. It's easy peasy and I learned basically nothing that I didn't already know, but it helps people find jobs in teaching and gives you good resources. It's probably different at other community colleges, I did mine at Bergen and literally it was the easiest thing I've ever done. Expensive, but a good choice, and it's over in a year.

melissa721

Ditto NJCU's administration. I love my professors (undergrad and grad) to pieces but even they are open about how the administration there is terrible.

velveena

Hey!!  Oh my god, where to begin.  If he wants a lot of detailed info, just have him call me.  No way I can type it all here.  "Remember Veena, the girl standing outside BBB carrying a stack of boxes to return 5 days before her wedding??"  I've given my # out to bunch of knotties and talked their ears off already about alternate route.A few things to consider before you get started to think about it - 1. Nobody likes to hear this but I want to prepare you! If Randy is serious about elementary, keep in mind it is a saturated field so the job search will be tough for an alternate route teacher.  He may want to think about adding on a middle school specialization to make himself more marketable OR be willing to work for a year or 2 in an urban or Abbott district before he finds his dream job (elementary in a nice district).2.  The paperwork takes FOREVER!  This is the part I can talk your ear off about haha.  Better to get started on it right away.For those considering NJCU New Pathways - I also agree with laurenlacey that is is awesome, but actually for the complete opposite reasons!  I think $7k was cheap considering you get half your masters AND your standard teaching certificate by the end of your first year of teaching!  I guess the price has gone up in 3 years but I'm sure its still a friggin steal.  Also, my professor was a lot of work.  Each location (community college) has its own professor so it depends on the tone he/she sets.  I've heard the guy in Ocean County is super easy, for example.  And thanks to Lauren we know Bergen is too!Anyway Shara I think you have my # but if not, email me livinlaveenaloca (at) msn.com. 

laurenlacey

yeah I guess in the scheme of things like not having to go traditional route it was inexpensive. I wish they accepted payments though instead of the lump sum.you can email me, too, laurenlacey at gmail dot com if you have other questions.

Magoobie1001

Thanks guys!! Im going to pass along this information to him! You were all very helpful! I also told him that right now its really hard to find an elementry ed position, as I have friends who are still subbing looking for a full time job! Veena, I do still have your number, so you may be getting a call soon! haha

Future Mrs. Pericas

Kean does alt route.  That was what my plans were, then decided to get my masters in Special Education.  But I did start things up to go alt route.  He has to take the praxis, then apply for his CE, for Kean he has to get hired in an abbott preschool http://www.nj.gov/cgi-bin/education/abbotts/abbotturls.pl?string=code&maxhits=100 then they set up his alt route through kean, and its free if he does it this way.  Its about 15-17 credits beyond his B.A. and if he retains at least a B average he can use those same 15-17 credits towards his masters degree.