Help me help you.
December 22, 2008 1:12 AM Subscribe
Help me achieve my goal of learning how people learn and then teaching with modern psychological techniques. I love teaching and psychology, so what schooling and credentials should I strive for? I live in Vancouver, Canada.
I've been teaching English to international students, mostly from Korea, while I've been going to university and I've loved teaching; however, I'm crazy for psychology and want to continue learning. Right now I am going to university in South Korea and trying to learn Korean; however, when I get back to Canada, I will go to either UBC or SFU.
I hated school when I was younger and wish to help change it for the better because from what I've learned, there is so much we've learned from psychology that would make education better, yet it seems that we haven't implemented very much.
I don't really want to be a typical teacher in an overcrowded classroom of bored students. I'd like to be a part of an alternative program, perhaps something for people who have had trouble with the mainstream system. I'd also like to keep traveling and teach abroad, but I also want to live and work in Canada other times.
My current goal now is to continue teaching English to international students while focusing on English and teaching courses so that I can put myself through university, and then after focus on psychology courses. My thought is that it is more difficult to make money in the beginning of earning psychology credentials; however, I can make money now teaching English. I also don't want to be a lousy teacher, so I want to keep sharpening my skills.
I have a general idea of my direction; however, I don't know exactly what I need to do to accomplish my dream. I don't know the best courses to take, the credentials I should get, and I don't know what kind of jobs I can get later. Of course I've done some research already, but I'm feeling a bit lost and overwhelmed as I don't know exactly what I need. I don't want to waste time and money.
I've been teaching English to international students, mostly from Korea, while I've been going to university and I've loved teaching; however, I'm crazy for psychology and want to continue learning. Right now I am going to university in South Korea and trying to learn Korean; however, when I get back to Canada, I will go to either UBC or SFU.
I hated school when I was younger and wish to help change it for the better because from what I've learned, there is so much we've learned from psychology that would make education better, yet it seems that we haven't implemented very much.
I don't really want to be a typical teacher in an overcrowded classroom of bored students. I'd like to be a part of an alternative program, perhaps something for people who have had trouble with the mainstream system. I'd also like to keep traveling and teach abroad, but I also want to live and work in Canada other times.
My current goal now is to continue teaching English to international students while focusing on English and teaching courses so that I can put myself through university, and then after focus on psychology courses. My thought is that it is more difficult to make money in the beginning of earning psychology credentials; however, I can make money now teaching English. I also don't want to be a lousy teacher, so I want to keep sharpening my skills.
I have a general idea of my direction; however, I don't know exactly what I need to do to accomplish my dream. I don't know the best courses to take, the credentials I should get, and I don't know what kind of jobs I can get later. Of course I've done some research already, but I'm feeling a bit lost and overwhelmed as I don't know exactly what I need. I don't want to waste time and money.
I would recommend an undergraduate degree in psychology, with an emphasis on school psychology if that is offered. I don't recommend an undergrad degree specifically in school psychology because I feel you need a broader base of knowledge about the field. In your junior year, get an internship with a school psychologist or in an alternative school. After you get your undergrad, get a Master's in school psychology.
Since you've already been to university, you could have some of your credits transferred to the Canadian school you wish to attend so that you don't have as many years to complete for your degree. You might have to take these classes at night since you plan to continue teaching. For your graduate degree, however, I wouldn't recommend working unless you find a program that allows you to take evening classes to complete the degree.
I'm not sure if there are licensing programs in Canada, but get licensed in whatever you can. This will increase your pay.
I know this seems like a lot of schooling, but for what you want to do, you'll need it. It's very hard to get any type of job in psychology with just an undergraduate degree; those that are available are usually very low paying and/or require you to deal with bodily fluids.
Some background on me: I have an undergrad degree in psychology, and spent three years working at non-profits with severely and chronically mentally ill individuals. The pay was so bad that I had to leave my job and resort to temping in accounting/admin. I will return to the mental health field after I get a graduate degree, but this won't happen for at least five years. I also have several friends who are school psychologists in various types of settings, and have seen the type of schooling they went through. Oh, I'm also in the US, but I think the schooling aspect is generally the same in both countries.
posted by catwoman429 at 8:32 AM on December 22, 2008
Since you've already been to university, you could have some of your credits transferred to the Canadian school you wish to attend so that you don't have as many years to complete for your degree. You might have to take these classes at night since you plan to continue teaching. For your graduate degree, however, I wouldn't recommend working unless you find a program that allows you to take evening classes to complete the degree.
I'm not sure if there are licensing programs in Canada, but get licensed in whatever you can. This will increase your pay.
I know this seems like a lot of schooling, but for what you want to do, you'll need it. It's very hard to get any type of job in psychology with just an undergraduate degree; those that are available are usually very low paying and/or require you to deal with bodily fluids.
Some background on me: I have an undergrad degree in psychology, and spent three years working at non-profits with severely and chronically mentally ill individuals. The pay was so bad that I had to leave my job and resort to temping in accounting/admin. I will return to the mental health field after I get a graduate degree, but this won't happen for at least five years. I also have several friends who are school psychologists in various types of settings, and have seen the type of schooling they went through. Oh, I'm also in the US, but I think the schooling aspect is generally the same in both countries.
posted by catwoman429 at 8:32 AM on December 22, 2008
you might also want a minor in education with a focus on curriculum design since you want to take your studies into psychology and apply it to a new way of teaching, having some basis in the current education system will help you see what isn't working and what should be changed.
posted by jrishel at 9:00 AM on December 22, 2008
posted by jrishel at 9:00 AM on December 22, 2008
You sound like me! Try looking at Stanford's graduate Education programs. If you find anything else, let me know; I'm planning a very similar project.
posted by divabat at 11:32 PM on December 22, 2008
posted by divabat at 11:32 PM on December 22, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by anonnymoose at 1:25 AM on December 22, 2008