Description: sciencekey

TEACHING SCIENCE

www.newhavenscience.org

Dr. Richard Therrien, K-12 Science Supervisor

54 Meadow Street, 8th Floor

New Haven, CT 06519 475-220-1401

richard.therrien@new-haven.k12.ct.us

 

The most successful science teachers are those who believe in science is best taught when students participate in hands on, interesting, and engaging activities with each other. The connection between teachers and students is often more important than the science background of the teacher. Successful teachers are collaborative, humble, and interested in the whole child. Teachers integrate literacy, math and higher-order thinking skills, as well as social responsibility. New Haven science teachers make a difference in students’ lives! Apply online NOW! https://www.nhps.net/domain/44

 

 

CURRENT OPENINGS FOR FALL 2020:

            7th/8th Grade Science K.Brennan

            7th Grade Science: Conte West Hills

            7th/8th Grade Science: Davis

            7th/8th Grade Science Nathan Hale

            Physics/Physical Science: Wilbur Cross High School

            Biology/Physical : Coop High

            Adult Education (Physical/Bio): Adult Ed

            Elementary STEM Barnard

            Elementary Environmental Barnard

            Possible Chem/Physics

            Possible additional Middle School Science

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE:

-32 K-8 Schools. Typically, one science teacher, does both 7th (chem./life), and 8th (physical/earth) grade science. 90-100 students, science lab room (less than 10 yrs old, or new), part of a middle school subject team. Requires certifications: 034, 234, (General Science), OR a middle/high school science certification plus highly qualified in general sci.

 

HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE:

-4 medium to large high schools, with 500-1200 students each, and science departments of 5-20 science teachers. 5 other high schools with < 300 students and smaller science departments. Typically a science teacher would teach 2 subjects, but no more than 3. All students take a 9th grade course, Biology, Chemistry and possibly electives. Teachers who teach the same subject work as teams to develop lessons and assessments. Chemistry/PhyChem teachers teach 11th grade chemistry and/or 9th grade integrated phy/chem., which also includes environmental aspects. Requires certifications: 031, 033, 034. In some cases a teacher with dual Biology (030) and Chemistry/Earth/Physics would teach some Biology and Phy/Chem or something else. Some opportunities to teach upper level courses, and many opportunities to teach middle level juniors/seniors in electives.

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:            

Science teachers in New Haven have tremendous opportunities for professional development. All science teachers across the district meet at least once a month, with district developed professional development as well. NHPS partners with Yale University on over 30 programs for students and teachers (http://www.yale.edu/onhsa/science/index.html) , as well as with other programs such as PIMMS, CSTA, University of New Haven, Southern CT State Univ, UCONN, and Quinnipiac. New Haven Public Schools also conducts a City Wide Science Fair at Yale Commons every year, with mentors and judges from the entire community available to teachers and students. EVERY Monday afternoon, teachers have PD meetings as well.

 

Get more money help!

***** Teachers Mortgage Assistance Program!

For first time homebuyers who teach in a priority town, OR subject shortage area (science) OR live in a priority area. Help available both in mortgage and in downpayment!

http://www.chfa.org/Homeownership/for%20Homebuyers/Homebuyer%20Mortgage%20Programs/for%20Selected%20Professions/TeachersMortgageAssistanceProgram.aspx

 

******* Student Loan forgiveness programs: for those that teach in a priority town/shortage area. (up to $17,500 for math/science!) http://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/charts/teacher

 

See current teacher salary schedule/contract: https://www.newhavenct.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=32488
Science Certifications for New Haven Public Schools

New Haven Public Schools have many successful science teachers from all types of programs. Certification is a teacher’s responsibility, and while we can provide some guidance, it is ultimately up to the individual to pursue and arrange.

 

The most successful science teachers are those who believe in science is best taught when students participate in hands on, interesting, and engaging activities with each other. The connection between teachers and students is often more important than the science background of the teacher. Successful teachers are collaborative, humble, and interested in the whole child. Teachers integrate reading strategies, math skills, and social responsibility into their science classes.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Three paths to certification, and see: https://portal.ct.gov/SDE/Certification/Bureau-of-Certification

Regular certification requires specific amounts of college credits in science, highly qualified status (passing praxis), and education requirements. After 2 years of an initial certification in CT, teachers receive a provisional certification. All teachers must attend regular professional development and eventually get a Master’s degree in their subject area.

 

Alternate Route to Certification: Ed courses taken on the weekends or in the 45 day summer program fulfill MOST of the education courses. Student teaching can be done in summer school. There are higher standards for the first two years of teaching. Many ARC teachers have found great success. http://www.ctdhe.org/ARC/default.htm. Least expensive way to get certified.

 

DSAP: Students enroll in a regular college education program (typically as a Master’s Degree). Once they are accepted and have started AND passed all the tests, they may apply for a position. If the district offers a position AND the college agrees, both need to sign off on a Durational Shortage Area Permit. The college oversees the teacher during the first year(s) of teaching and it then waives the student teaching. NHPS has had successful science DSAP teachers from Southern CT State University, University of New Haven, and Others. Shortest way to get certified and start working, but the college will eventually require you to complete a full degree, and is very much trial by fire.

 

Teach For America: Teach for America candidates are certified under a DSAP or an Alternate Route type certificate, typically get intensive summer training and student teaching, and then are placed in an urban district.

 

Regular Program: Area colleges such as SCSU, UNH, Sacred Heart, University of Bridgeport, and others, all offer degrees leading to science certification. Some have internship programs which allow for subsititute teaching while earning a Master’s Degree in Science Education. These typically take 1 -1.5 years, depending on background.

 

New Haven Public Schools Science curriculum (see www.newhavenscience.org/pacingchart.pdf)

6th grade: Environmental/Earth/Physical Science

7th grade : Chemistry/Life Science,

8th grade: Physical/Earth Science,

9th grade: Integrated Phy/Chem,

10th grade: Biology,

11th grade: Chemistry plus electives

12th grade: Physics or electives

The greatest need is for teachers who can teach middle school (general science certified) or two or more subjects in high school (chemistry, physics, gen science OR bio plus chemistry, or bio plus gen science). The largest number of applicants tend to be those certified in just biology, which is only a third of secondary science curriculum.

There are SOME upper level electives, such as AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Anatomy, Environmental Science, etc.. but the largest number of students are in 9th/10th grade in high school, so that is where the greatest need is. (This is true for most CT districts).

 

A certified science teacher needs to have about 30 credits in the first subject of science (biology, chemistry, physics, earth science) or  (34 credits including biology, earth, physics, chemistry for general science) AND be highly qualified (pass Praxis II in the subject area) AND have all the education courses required, including science methods, ed psychology, etc.. (about 24 credits depending) AND have student teaching. (see next page for more certification details).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Science Certifications for New Haven Public Schools

 

Grade 6-8 Science         K-8 001 or 4-8 006, If self contained or split class ( 2 math, 2 science)

If departmentalized ( 1 teacher with > 3 sections of science)

K-8 001 or 4-8 006 meets certification requirements but only current teachers who have taught this science in New Haven for three or more years meet HOUSSE highly qualified status. No new elem certified teachers can be hired or transferred into this position (6-8 departmentalized science) and meet highly qualified status (unless they have a Master’s degree in the specific science subject area).

-Grade 6 departmentalized science (integrated): current elem certified teachers, or General Science 234, 235, 034 certified, passed Praxis II in General or Middle School Science.

-Grade 7 departmentalized science (life/chem.): current elem certified teachers, or General Science 234, 235, 034, Biology 230, 030, passed Praxis II in General, Middle School or Biology.

-Grade 8 departmentalized science (physics/earth): current elem certified teachers, or General Science 234, 235, 034, Physics 232, 032, Earth 233, 033, passed Praxis II in General, Middle School, Earth,  or Physics.

(A Biology only certified teacher could teach 8th grade science up to two periods of their schedule for two years if they receive a temporary minor authorization certificate and have 12  credits in Physics/Earth Science)

This means for most schools, a grade 7/8 teacher needs 234,235, or 034 cert.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade 9 Integrated Phy/Chem.  General science (034), Physics (032), Earth (033) or Chemistry (031) certified, passed Praxis II in General, Earth or Chemistry. (A Biology only certified teacher could teach 9th grade science up to two periods of their schedule for two years if they receive a temporary minor authorization certificate and have 12  credits in Chemistry/Earth/Physics, but they would still have to take the Praxis or have a Master’s in this subject area to meet Highly Qualified status)

Biology: Biology (030), Chemistry: Chemistry (031), Anatomy/Physiology:  Biology (030), Physics:Physics (032).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: Teachers on a DSAP must be > 9 credits into their planned education program,  have >12 credits in the subject, have passed the Praxis II, received approval from their CT higher ed program, and ONLY teach the subjects for which they have a DSAP. (Chem DSAP must only teach Chem, etc..) DSAP teachers cannot receive the temporary minor authorization.

 

So in essence:

New Haven Science teachers must be certified and highly qualified in every science area they teach.

Temporary minor authorizations (for two periods a day) are available for two years for other subject areas.

DSAP teachers must only teach in the area of their DSAP certificate.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------