I finally have a good idea of what I want to do! Now what?
August 26, 2013 1:10 PM Subscribe
I have been very slow when it comes to getting my career off of the ground. I've decided that I need to focus on what I can do right away to begin working in the field that I love. I want to help teenagers or adults with low literacy learn how to read.
I graduated from teacher's college a little over a year ago, and like many, could not find work in any of the school boards in my area. This hasn't disappointed me that greatly, in fact, I gave up on the idea of teaching secondary school very easily. Upon reflection, I realized that teaching in the traditional classroom doesn't quite appeal to me. The most satisfying volunteer and practice-teaching experiences that I have had have been teaching basic literacy skills in small groups or one-on-one to either teenagers or adults. When I look at websites for these places that provide literacy instruction, I only seem to find volunteer opportunities available. If only I could see what the job listings ask for in terms of qualifications, I could see if I qualify or otherwise try to make myself more marketable.
I currently volunteer as a literacy tutor, and am a member of the Literacy Council in my city. I have a bachelor degree in English, a bachelor in Education, an additional qualification in Special Education, and a handful of volunteer experiences in literacy instruction.
I live in Southern Ontario, and Hamilton or London are the cities where I hope to work and live in the future.
I am looking for suggestions for:
1. Classes/Programs that I can take to qualify to work in any institution that provides literacy instruction to teenagers or adults.
2. Resources that will help me to be well-informed on the subject of literacy. Blogs, books, reports, anything!
3. Ideas for the potential areas I may want to pursue in the field. For instance, teaching is the obvious one, but what about developing the resources that are used in the classroom?
4. How should I go about my job search? In the past I've been awfully passive and oblivious, and I'd like to change this.
I know that my question is very broad, but I'm just finding it very hard to get started in the right direction. I'd really appreciate your input!
I graduated from teacher's college a little over a year ago, and like many, could not find work in any of the school boards in my area. This hasn't disappointed me that greatly, in fact, I gave up on the idea of teaching secondary school very easily. Upon reflection, I realized that teaching in the traditional classroom doesn't quite appeal to me. The most satisfying volunteer and practice-teaching experiences that I have had have been teaching basic literacy skills in small groups or one-on-one to either teenagers or adults. When I look at websites for these places that provide literacy instruction, I only seem to find volunteer opportunities available. If only I could see what the job listings ask for in terms of qualifications, I could see if I qualify or otherwise try to make myself more marketable.
I currently volunteer as a literacy tutor, and am a member of the Literacy Council in my city. I have a bachelor degree in English, a bachelor in Education, an additional qualification in Special Education, and a handful of volunteer experiences in literacy instruction.
I live in Southern Ontario, and Hamilton or London are the cities where I hope to work and live in the future.
I am looking for suggestions for:
1. Classes/Programs that I can take to qualify to work in any institution that provides literacy instruction to teenagers or adults.
2. Resources that will help me to be well-informed on the subject of literacy. Blogs, books, reports, anything!
3. Ideas for the potential areas I may want to pursue in the field. For instance, teaching is the obvious one, but what about developing the resources that are used in the classroom?
4. How should I go about my job search? In the past I've been awfully passive and oblivious, and I'd like to change this.
I know that my question is very broad, but I'm just finding it very hard to get started in the right direction. I'd really appreciate your input!
I don't know how it works in Canada, but in the U.S. you can get what's called a Reading Specialist Credential (at least in California), and you can even get a Master's in literacy. Here either degree can lead you directly to a situation in which you work with young adults and adults who struggle with literacy. In the case of the former, the setting will be in a high school, in the latter, at a community college. Perhaps there is an equivalent where you are? It could be worth looking into.
posted by Temeraria at 1:39 PM on August 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Temeraria at 1:39 PM on August 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Kate Nonesuch's blog, Working in Adult Literacy, is a treasure. Previously on Metafilter.
Is there a sizeable Aboriginal community where you live/plan to live? Many Friendship Centres have literacy programs with the kind of literacy instruction you are looking to do. The coordinators are usually the paid position and the tutors tend to be volunteers, but the coordinator positions are quite interesting work if not super well paid. You do not necessarily need to be Aboriginal to work for a Friendship Centre. You may want to read up on Aboriginal teaching approaches and also the literacy situation among Aboriginal populations--there is a lot of work being done and urgently needed in this area.
NALD (the Canadian National Adult Literacy Database) is an excellent resource with links to all kinds of materials and info. You can find professional development info there.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:26 PM on August 26, 2013
Is there a sizeable Aboriginal community where you live/plan to live? Many Friendship Centres have literacy programs with the kind of literacy instruction you are looking to do. The coordinators are usually the paid position and the tutors tend to be volunteers, but the coordinator positions are quite interesting work if not super well paid. You do not necessarily need to be Aboriginal to work for a Friendship Centre. You may want to read up on Aboriginal teaching approaches and also the literacy situation among Aboriginal populations--there is a lot of work being done and urgently needed in this area.
NALD (the Canadian National Adult Literacy Database) is an excellent resource with links to all kinds of materials and info. You can find professional development info there.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:26 PM on August 26, 2013
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Have you thought about doing Teach Away? If I weren't Jewish, I might consider doing this. (A lot of the placements are in the Middle East) You travel, have housing provided and get classroom experience.
Once you have standard teaching experience, perhaps you can do some advanced study into literacy and then once you have some chops, create new materials etc.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:15 PM on August 26, 2013