Teachables and AQ/ABQs

[enjoyIncubus]

Yes, I am aware of the job outlook for teachers.
However, I was wondering which teachables (if any) are in demand - or at least relative demand.
My teachables right now are History and Geography. I plan on getting my AQ in Philosophy, as I have the required prerequisites.
I've yet to go to Teacher's College. I have good enough grades to get in here, but I've always had my eyes set on Teachers College overseas.

Plan:
Get into a trade, complete my apprenticeship (5 years). After 5 years of paid experience you can take an AQ course and be qualified to teach it.
Would this be an effective way to get into the school board? Would I be stuck teaching tech even though I'd rather teach History and Geography?

Back-up Plan:
I've noticed that OISE offers an AQ for Intermediate Science - General, which only requires 3.0 full credits in Science (Biology, Physics, Chemistry).
Is it worth returning to school as a part-time student to take 3 first-year courses a semester in Science?


Which of these plans is more likely to yield a teaching career?

[dgnr8]

I have been teaching for 5 years and both of these plans are pretty bad, sorry. I was hired right out of teacher's college for a full time position for 1reason, I made it a full time to find a full time job. I think I am the one person in the world with worse teachables than yours, mine are history and politics, but I survived by studying every school in the board I wanted to work in. I then contacted each principal with my plan for how I fit in. Look at their school improvement plans and devise a brief plan about how you will help reach those goals. Mail the plan with your resume and cover letter to the principal. Then email this info to them as well. Then a week later show up at the school to talk to them. The secretary will tell you they are busy, but don't leave. Make sure to talk to them before you leave.

Lastly, PLEASE DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME VOLUNTEERING WITH A TEACHER THAT EVER ASKS YOU TO DO PHOTOCOPIES. This seems silly, but I can't tell you how often I have seen teachers use and abuse unemployed teachers with the promise of a good reference. Unless the person you are volunteering with is willing to go to bat for you and has the ear of the principal, the volunteering is a waste of time.

Not only did this formula work for me, but it also worked for my husband the following year when he graduated teacher's college.

[Mr.Sea]

I have been teaching for 5 years and both of these plans are pretty bad, sorry. I was hired right out of teacher's college for a full time position for 1reason, I made it a full time to find a full time job. I think I am the one person in the world with worse teachables than yours, mine are history and politics, but I survived by studying every school in the board I wanted to work in. I then contacted each principal with my plan for how I fit in. Look at their school improvement plans and devise a brief plan about how you will help reach those goals. Mail the plan with your resume and cover letter to the principal. Then email this info to them as well. Then a week later show up at the school to talk to them. The secretary will tell you they are busy, but don't leave. Make sure to talk to them before you leave.

Lastly, PLEASE DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME VOLUNTEERING WITH A TEACHER THAT EVER ASKS YOU TO DO PHOTOCOPIES. This seems silly, but I can't tell you how often I have seen teachers use and abuse unemployed teachers with the promise of a good reference. Unless the person you are volunteering with is willing to go to bat for you and has the ear of the principal, the volunteering is a waste of time.

Not only did this formula work for me, but it also worked for my husband the following year when he graduated teacher's college.

I disagree. I put in the time and it paid off. Just make sure the teacher has good things to say about you to the principal.

[BlackKitty]

My personal feelings about teachables is that you should always get into something you will not mind teaching. So if you don't want to teach tech, then it's a bad idea to get into tech as a teachable. What if you're stuck teaching tech for the rest of your career? Would you be okay with that?

In theory you could always move to another school or apply to another non-tech position once you're settled. However once something is listed as your official teachable, it's fair game. This is why I also disagree with people who take special education AQs as their ticket to get into a school board. Unless the school board requires everyone to have spec ed, then you're really doing a disservice to spec ed students if you take it, but really don't care much for it.

[6up]

Agreed to what BlkKitty say.....dont get qualified in a teachable you might get stuck with. You never know when "they" can randomly throw you in the fire. Demand will always change but if you stick with a core subject, you'll always stand a better chance of landing a permanent gig.