Attn Teachers! Question about salary scales in co (Denver: credit, home)

[Meaga828]

I am currently an 8th grade ss teacher in sc and also in the process of completing a masters program out here in sc. My husbands job has transferred him to Denver, so I am weighing my options about whether or not to continue teaching or stay at home with babies, and to finish my degree or not.

My question is: why do your salary scale steps say ba, ba +30, ba +60, ma, ma +30 etc. ?
My masters program is 30 credits/10 courses total.. Are typical masters programs in co more than that??

I'm worried Im doing all of this coursework for nothing of my degree wouldn't be accepted??

[davidv]

Many master's degrees are 36 credits, but don't worry as soon as you get your master's degree you get placed into the MA column. The BA + 30 and BA + 60 columns exist so that if a person takes classes that do not result in a degree, he/she can still get a salary bump.

[Meaga828]

Thanks for your reply!! That's what I was hoping!! I found it hard to believe someone would take 60 credit hrs not resulting in an advanced degree.. But to each their own I guess!

[davidv]

Originally Posted by Meaga828

Thanks for your reply!! That's what I was hoping!! I found it hard to believe someone would take 60 credit hrs not resulting in an advanced degree.. But to each their own I guess!

School districts expect you to get a master's degree that is why there is no BA +75. They do not expect a doctorate, so after you get your master's degree getting 75 graduate credits above that will equal a Ph.D.

There is one thing that I forgot:

It is important to know that when you get to the MA column, you have to start over. For example, when I first started, I completed 12 credits that could not be counted towards a degree (I took advantage of some awesome content training the first two summers for which I got credit). Afterwards, I started a Master's program (36 credits). When I finished my first semester (9 credits - 21 graduate credits total), I got a salary bump to a BA +15. When I finished my second semester (9 credits - 30 graduate credits total), I got a salary bump to a BA +30. When I finished my master's degree the next year, I was placed in the MA column, but I lost those first 12 credits. In other words, those first 12 credits did not count towards my MA +15 -- I had to start from zero.

[Meaga828]

Hmm that is also good information to have.. Thanks I appreciate you taking the time to explain some of this to me. How would you say the job market is for middle school ss positions? I think here in SC ppl would say they are tough to get, but I was lucky and landed a job in the top school in our district right out of college. I keep reading reading how bad a lot of the schools are out there. I'm worried that since I don't know the area I may get stuck in a position I am miserable in.

Also, I am certified for grades 5-8 in Ela and ss. I went through a program specifically for middle grades education. How do you think that will transfer over? As a secondary?

Also, is there something out there for teachers to earn to make them eligible for online/virtual school teaching? This is just beginning to be offered in sc, it is five classes and I will be done with them by the end of the summer. Do you think that will help me at all in co?

[davidv]

Social studies positions are hard to get. You better bring your "A" game.

There are probably 100+ applicants for each position posted, but having an ELA certification certainly won't hurt. Some districts are better to work for than others, but for right now you probably just need a job. Online teachers do not need any special certification, but distance learning experience or coursework should be helpful.

I am not sure how your certificate might transfer. Secondary seems more likely than elementary.