WGU Student Newsletter

What if I Can’t Find a Job?

“Okay,” you say. “I’ve been working a full-time job, taking care of my family, fulfilling community responsibilities, and spending every night and weekend completing one task after another. What happens if I just can’t get a teaching job after all of this?”

Chances are that this question has been on your mind and you can identify with the tremendously difficult schedule of this student. Maybe you are so overwhelmed by everything you’re doing that you haven’t given much thought to what will happen after graduation. Whatever your circumstances, rest assured, there are many who have gone before you with the same concerns. And, believe it or not you will survive.

There are some things you might want to keep in mind now, while you are still a student. These simple tips will help you reach your goal of being a teacher. In addition to being consistent in your assignments, here are some ideas to help you finish this race.

Build your electronic portfolio in TaskStream with care. Build it as if you are presenting the only documentation a prospective employer will see while being considered for a teaching position. Once you have submitted your portfolio to TaskStream, you can review and make it available to prospective employers, but you cannot make changes. So, make it something you are proud to share. Some graduates download their portfolios onto a CD and provide it to prospective employers at formal and informal interviews.
Save every artifact or piece of documentation that paints you in a positive light. Even if you just keep it in a shoebox, it could be very important when you begin to actively search for work. Some graduates prepare extensive portfolios that can be physically taken to interviews. They sometimes use the pages of the portfolio as speaking points.
Network within the school, district and surrounding areas while you are doing Demonstration Teaching. Even if you really like the school your children attend and want to work there, you may have to start somewhere else. Go to district level events whenever possible and meet other staff, teachers and administrators.
Begin setting up your electronic placement file http://wgu.credentialfiles.com while you are still a student. A placement file is often required by school districts as part of the hiring and application process. Once completed, it can be e-mailed to school districts with a few clicks of a mouse. There is a $20.00 registration cost to students.
Attend area teacher job fairs. Teacher candidates are often given an interview and offered a job “on the spot.” Dress professionally and be prepared to interview at the fair.
Take advantage of the career services available through your alumni community. The alumni community is available to every graduate and the resources are there to help you transition to your new or enhanced teaching career. You will receive an invitation to register as soon as you graduate. The Alumni Services team is waiting to help you.

Stay focused as you move toward your dreams of completing your degree or program. You will be teaching in no time at all!

Western Governors University Offers First Online Bachelor's Degree in Special Education

If you want to become a certified special education teacher, Western Governors University (www.wgu.edu) now offers a new online degree program in the field. The Bachelor of Arts in Special Education is suited for individuals such as school paraprofessionals, unlicensed substitutes, parents, and career changers who seek a special education teaching certification that also meets the more stringent "highly-qualified" requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act.

The U.S. faces a severe shortage of teachers with a special education certification, and the situation is expected to worsen as the number of special needs students continues to grow disproportionately. WGU's online degree offer answers to the education and hiring dilemmas many school administrators are dealing with as they struggle to help special needs students.

The special education bachelor’s degree program includes four domains of study: Interdisciplinary Studies, Foundations of Teaching, Effective Teaching Practices (in Special Education), and Demonstration Teaching (which includes in-classroom student teaching). The degree program gives a student the content knowledge and effective teaching skills to become a special education teacher for students with mild-to-moderate cross-categorical disabilities. Enrollments are open continuously and new cohorts begin each month.

Students interested in switching to this program should contact their mentor for details and requirements. Visit the WGU Web site for more information on the Bachelor of Arts in Special Education or call toll-free 1-866-225-5948.

Student Profile - Janet Sherman

My name is Janet Sherman and I live in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I have two sons; one is a junior in college and one is a junior in high school. I will complete my PK-8 Interdisciplinary Studies degree on April 4, 2008. When I’m not studying, I enjoy running, lifting weights, cycling, watching one son play tennis, and following my other son’s band. Reading has always been one of my favorite activities, and now that I’m almost done with school, I’m looking forward to reading for pleasure again!

I chose WGU because I could continue working while I finished my degree. With one son in college and one soon to be, quitting my job to finish my education wasn’t an option. In addition, my job as a paraprofessional is in the same school district in which I plan to teach, so I wanted to remain a school district employee. I’ve always been an independent learner, and WGU’s competency format was an excellent fit for my preferred learning style. The biggest obstacle I faced as a WGU student was trying to juggle all of my responsibilities and activities. The WGU workload is quite demanding, and I found that school + work + family + recreational activities = one very busy person (me)!

My favorite aspect of being a WGU student is that I didn’t have to add campus classes to my already hectic schedule. I believe the WGU model is excellent for students who are motivated and can push themselves to meet goals and deadlines. I was fortunate to have Carrie Pottinger as my mentor, and she was always there to give me the extra push or encouragement that I needed. My least favorite aspect of the WGU model is the tremendous workload we are expected to complete during Demonstration Teaching. I found my DT experience much more rewarding and enriching after I finished the WGU tasks and could concentrate on my classroom experience.

Now that my degree is nearly completed I plan to jump right into a job search for a teaching position. I would like to teach at the K-3 level because I want to be one of the teachers who shape students’ first school experiences. I also believe that learning to read is the key to all future success, and I would love to teach students at this level to not only learn to read, but to enjoy it. After I have been in the classroom for a couple of years, I plan to obtain a Reading endorsement, and perhaps someday a Masters. For now I’ll be satisfied with settling into my own classroom to start using my degree.

Janet Sherman graduated in April 2008.

Student Profile - Molly Fromille

Molly Fromille chose to come to WGU because of the flexibility in location and schedule. She’s a military wife and moves around frequently. Molly explains, “I didn't want to wait until we were stationed somewhere more permanently to continue my education. I love the flexible schedule that competency-based education allows. I’m also happy that I pay a flat rate for a semester and can take as many classes as I can complete.”

When asked about obstacles Molly faces at WGU, she tells us, “I am in the mathematics (5-12) program, and while a lot of my previous math education has helped me with earlier domains, the ones I’m not familiar with are more challenging because I don't have an instructor that can physically show me how to do problems. However, my mathematics content advisor is very helpful and has always gotten me through the challenges I have faced up to this point.” Molly is a student who has a previous degree and experience in the education field which has allowed her to move at an accelerated pace. She finds that she is achieving her goals faster than expected. She attributes some of this to the WGU model. Molly says, “I really appreciate the grading system in TaskStream; how the graders give feedback and you are allowed to revise your work until it meets the standard. I believe I have learned more with the opportunity to revise my work, than I had previously in more traditional grading systems.”

In her spare time, Molly loves cooking from new recipes with her husband, playing with her dogs, running, biking, and swimming – jumping on the opportunity to participate in anything involving outside activity. She is also an active volunteer at her church. Currently, she and her husband are in the middle of a move so she’s not doing anything professionally. She explains, “I have decided to take this time to focus on school work to hopefully accomplish a lot quickly!”

Faculty Spotlight

Philip Schmidt, Associate Provost for Academic Programs

Where are you from? I am originally from New York City but currently live in New Paltz, New York.

When did you join WGU? I joined WGU approximately 6 years ago, in May, 2002.

What do you enjoy about WGU? The academic model we have created is truly unique and is sorely needed in American higher education. It has been a thrill for me to be involved in the growth of this University.

How do you see WGU’s program different from traditional universities? At WGU, we have constructed a curriculum so that we can assure employers that graduates have earned credentials that are truly credible. Our competencies are carefully constructed so that they reflect real-world content and we take particular care that graduates pass all areas of the required content. This is significantly different from simply guaranteeing that graduates have, on average, passing grades in a series of courses.

More on Philip: Philip Schmidt has a B.S. degree from Brooklyn College of CUNY and M.A, and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics and mathematics education from Syracuse University. Currently the Associate Provost for Academic Programs at WGU, Phil was previously Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Berea College, Chair of the Department of Secondary Education as well as Dean of the School of Education at SUNY New Paltz, and Associate Provost during a second stint at Berea College. A resident of New York, Phil was born and raised in New York City and has lived most recently in Berea, Kentucky and New Paltz, New York. He is the author of numerous research articles and mathematics texts and has been the project director for grant activities that target the mathematics, science, and technology education of high school students and teachers.


Volume 1, Issue 2 May 2008	Home \| News & Highlights \| FAQs Teachers \| Business \| IT \| Health \| Liberal Arts
In This Section What if I Can't Find a Job? Western Governors University Offers First Online Bachelor's Degree in Special Education Student Profiles: -Janet Sherman -Molly Fromille Faculty Spotlight Calendar of Events July 18 Student/Mentor Mixer July 19 Graduation	Teachers College
	What if I Can’t Find a Job? “Okay,” you say. “I’ve been working a full-time job, taking care of my family, fulfilling community responsibilities, and spending every night and weekend completing one task after another. What happens if I just can’t get a teaching job after all of this?” Chances are that this question has been on your mind and you can identify with the tremendously difficult schedule of this student. Maybe you are so overwhelmed by everything you’re doing that you haven’t given much thought to what will happen after graduation. Whatever your circumstances, rest assured, there are many who have gone before you with the same concerns. And, believe it or not you will survive. There are some things you might want to keep in mind now, while you are still a student. These simple tips will help you reach your goal of being a teacher. In addition to being consistent in your assignments, here are some ideas to help you finish this race. Build your electronic portfolio in TaskStream with care. Build it as if you are presenting the only documentation a prospective employer will see while being considered for a teaching position. Once you have submitted your portfolio to TaskStream, you can review and make it available to prospective employers, but you cannot make changes. So, make it something you are proud to share. Some graduates download their portfolios onto a CD and provide it to prospective employers at formal and informal interviews. Save every artifact or piece of documentation that paints you in a positive light. Even if you just keep it in a shoebox, it could be very important when you begin to actively search for work. Some graduates prepare extensive portfolios that can be physically taken to interviews. They sometimes use the pages of the portfolio as speaking points. Network within the school, district and surrounding areas while you are doing Demonstration Teaching. Even if you really like the school your children attend and want to work there, you may have to start somewhere else. Go to district level events whenever possible and meet other staff, teachers and administrators. Begin setting up your electronic placement file http://wgu.credentialfiles.com while you are still a student. A placement file is often required by school districts as part of the hiring and application process. Once completed, it can be e-mailed to school districts with a few clicks of a mouse. There is a $20.00 registration cost to students. Attend area teacher job fairs. Teacher candidates are often given an interview and offered a job “on the spot.” Dress professionally and be prepared to interview at the fair. Take advantage of the career services available through your alumni community. The alumni community is available to every graduate and the resources are there to help you transition to your new or enhanced teaching career. You will receive an invitation to register as soon as you graduate. The Alumni Services team is waiting to help you. Stay focused as you move toward your dreams of completing your degree or program. You will be teaching in no time at all! Western Governors University Offers First Online Bachelor's Degree in Special Education If you want to become a certified special education teacher, Western Governors University (www.wgu.edu) now offers a new online degree program in the field. The Bachelor of Arts in Special Education is suited for individuals such as school paraprofessionals, unlicensed substitutes, parents, and career changers who seek a special education teaching certification that also meets the more stringent "highly-qualified" requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act. The U.S. faces a severe shortage of teachers with a special education certification, and the situation is expected to worsen as the number of special needs students continues to grow disproportionately. WGU's online degree offer answers to the education and hiring dilemmas many school administrators are dealing with as they struggle to help special needs students. The special education bachelor’s degree program includes four domains of study: Interdisciplinary Studies, Foundations of Teaching, Effective Teaching Practices (in Special Education), and Demonstration Teaching (which includes in-classroom student teaching). The degree program gives a student the content knowledge and effective teaching skills to become a special education teacher for students with mild-to-moderate cross-categorical disabilities. Enrollments are open continuously and new cohorts begin each month. Students interested in switching to this program should contact their mentor for details and requirements. Visit the WGU Web site for more information on the Bachelor of Arts in Special Education or call toll-free 1-866-225-5948. Student Profile - Janet Sherman My name is Janet Sherman and I live in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I have two sons; one is a junior in college and one is a junior in high school. I will complete my PK-8 Interdisciplinary Studies degree on April 4, 2008. When I’m not studying, I enjoy running, lifting weights, cycling, watching one son play tennis, and following my other son’s band. Reading has always been one of my favorite activities, and now that I’m almost done with school, I’m looking forward to reading for pleasure again! I chose WGU because I could continue working while I finished my degree. With one son in college and one soon to be, quitting my job to finish my education wasn’t an option. In addition, my job as a paraprofessional is in the same school district in which I plan to teach, so I wanted to remain a school district employee. I’ve always been an independent learner, and WGU’s competency format was an excellent fit for my preferred learning style. The biggest obstacle I faced as a WGU student was trying to juggle all of my responsibilities and activities. The WGU workload is quite demanding, and I found that school + work + family + recreational activities = one very busy person (me)! My favorite aspect of being a WGU student is that I didn’t have to add campus classes to my already hectic schedule. I believe the WGU model is excellent for students who are motivated and can push themselves to meet goals and deadlines. I was fortunate to have Carrie Pottinger as my mentor, and she was always there to give me the extra push or encouragement that I needed. My least favorite aspect of the WGU model is the tremendous workload we are expected to complete during Demonstration Teaching. I found my DT experience much more rewarding and enriching after I finished the WGU tasks and could concentrate on my classroom experience. Now that my degree is nearly completed I plan to jump right into a job search for a teaching position. I would like to teach at the K-3 level because I want to be one of the teachers who shape students’ first school experiences. I also believe that learning to read is the key to all future success, and I would love to teach students at this level to not only learn to read, but to enjoy it. After I have been in the classroom for a couple of years, I plan to obtain a Reading endorsement, and perhaps someday a Masters. For now I’ll be satisfied with settling into my own classroom to start using my degree. Janet Sherman graduated in April 2008. Student Profile - Molly Fromille Molly Fromille chose to come to WGU because of the flexibility in location and schedule. She’s a military wife and moves around frequently. Molly explains, “I didn't want to wait until we were stationed somewhere more permanently to continue my education. I love the flexible schedule that competency-based education allows. I’m also happy that I pay a flat rate for a semester and can take as many classes as I can complete.” When asked about obstacles Molly faces at WGU, she tells us, “I am in the mathematics (5-12) program, and while a lot of my previous math education has helped me with earlier domains, the ones I’m not familiar with are more challenging because I don't have an instructor that can physically show me how to do problems. However, my mathematics content advisor is very helpful and has always gotten me through the challenges I have faced up to this point.” Molly is a student who has a previous degree and experience in the education field which has allowed her to move at an accelerated pace. She finds that she is achieving her goals faster than expected. She attributes some of this to the WGU model. Molly says, “I really appreciate the grading system in TaskStream; how the graders give feedback and you are allowed to revise your work until it meets the standard. I believe I have learned more with the opportunity to revise my work, than I had previously in more traditional grading systems.” In her spare time, Molly loves cooking from new recipes with her husband, playing with her dogs, running, biking, and swimming – jumping on the opportunity to participate in anything involving outside activity. She is also an active volunteer at her church. Currently, she and her husband are in the middle of a move so she’s not doing anything professionally. She explains, “I have decided to take this time to focus on school work to hopefully accomplish a lot quickly!” Faculty Spotlight Philip Schmidt, Associate Provost for Academic Programs Where are you from? I am originally from New York City but currently live in New Paltz, New York. When did you join WGU? I joined WGU approximately 6 years ago, in May, 2002. What do you enjoy about WGU? The academic model we have created is truly unique and is sorely needed in American higher education. It has been a thrill for me to be involved in the growth of this University. How do you see WGU’s program different from traditional universities? At WGU, we have constructed a curriculum so that we can assure employers that graduates have earned credentials that are truly credible. Our competencies are carefully constructed so that they reflect real-world content and we take particular care that graduates pass all areas of the required content. This is significantly different from simply guaranteeing that graduates have, on average, passing grades in a series of courses. More on Philip: Philip Schmidt has a B.S. degree from Brooklyn College of CUNY and M.A, and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics and mathematics education from Syracuse University. Currently the Associate Provost for Academic Programs at WGU, Phil was previously Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Berea College, Chair of the Department of Secondary Education as well as Dean of the School of Education at SUNY New Paltz, and Associate Provost during a second stint at Berea College. A resident of New York, Phil was born and raised in New York City and has lived most recently in Berea, Kentucky and New Paltz, New York. He is the author of numerous research articles and mathematics texts and has been the project director for grant activities that target the mathematics, science, and technology education of high school students and teachers.