So, I graduated a few days a ago...sort of. I call it my pseudo-graduation. I have managed to complete all the degree requirements for my Ecology, Evolution and Behavior major and my Psychology minor. To be a teacher though, I need a few other classes which I will finish up over the next year. Seems as though to be a teacher you need to be a little more well rounded in biology than I am currently. On the plus side, this will allow me to take a Philosophy of Science class and Jim Cotner's beer class (not a requirement for teaching school). The extra year before graduate school wont hurt either. I get to teach another biology class because of it and have a little extra time to search for teaching programs other than the one at the University of Minnesota.
Searching for teaching programs is quite an interesting endeavor. I've always assumed I would just enter into the M.Ed./ Initial Licensure Program for Secondary Science Education at the U but given the 22 years I've already spent in Minnesota I think it may be time for a change of scenery. I think I will aim high this time around when searching for schools. Columbia's Teachers College is one of the best education schools in the country and its science education program sounds solid. Stanford's STEM program sounds wonderful and the plethora of financial aid doesn't hurt either. I have also wanted to attend Stanford ever since visiting the campus in high school. I was very impressed with Johns Hopkins SIMAT program which is all based around a year long internship. Northwestern is highly ranked, but seems to follow a traditional practicum and student teaching format-not much different than that of the of U of M. On the upside, the school much closer to home than Stanford, Johns Hopkins or Columbia. I suppose some more research and contact with the programs are needed before I decide my fate.
Closer to home I have options as well. The U's program is top notch and given my SEPGM (Science Education Partnership for Greater Minnesota) internship which was a partnership between the College of Biological Sciences and the College of Education, I have a pretty good shot at getting in. Hamline has a great science teaching program and it focuses a lot on environmental education which I would like to get into. There is also the Saint Paul Teaching Fellows program which sounds similar to Teach for America, just within Saint Paul Public Schools. That would allow me to start making money next year, which would be great since I've already spent a boatload of my parents' money.
In other-words, I have some pondering to do. Within the next few weeks I will be bombarded with heaps of literature on all the different programs to help my decision making. Boy will I feel cool getting mail from such prestigious schools! Also, apparently Stanford's program requires the GRE, so I suppose I better get studying for that.
