2012 ELITE CONFERENCE N OVEMBER 13, 2012 FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES

T HINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THE TEACHING PROFESSION Summers off ??? Maybe. Year round schools (Advantage—4 short vacations. Can vacation during off peak season when things are cheaper.) Professional development (taking college classes) Many teachers have other jobs during the summer

A SHORT WORK DAY 8:00 AM -3:00 PM ?? Teachers arrive early and stay late. Many teachers have extra curricular responsibilities. The teaching day goes home with you in the form of grading papers and preparing for the next day.

POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT THE TEACHING PROFESSION Schedule is great with a family Have the opportunity to work close to home Tenure (job security) Good benefits Sick days Retirement Insurance

L ESS D ESIRABLE THINGS ABOUT TEACHING Can only vacation at peak times Pay is not always comparable to business Do not always have materials necessary to do a good job. Many teachers spend their own money on classroom supplies.

T EACHER RESPONSIBILITIES Teaching Content Information Attendance Grading Serving on Committees Extra Curricular Activities Set up Labs Housekeeping

L OOKING FOR A TEACHING JOB ? Look at the school website. Consider the number of preps.(different classes) Large schools usually, but not always, have fewer preps. In large schools, it is easier to specialize. You will probably teach everything in your content area in smaller schools. Consider the cost of housing and food. This may offset a higher salary. Consider traffic.

H OW A TEACHER ’ S SALARY WORKS Base pay plus any extra curricular pay High school often pays more than junior high or elementary because there are more opportunities for extra-curricular activity pay Depends on type of degree—Bachelor’s or Master’s Difference in starting salary—usually $2000- $3000 more if you have a Master’s degree Look at where the salary scale tops out (Stops increasing)

S ALARY RANGES IN I LLINOIS Small rural Central Illinois school— Base — Bachelor’s $28,557 Base __ Master’s $30,557 Chicago suburban school— Base — Bachelor’s $45,558 Base — Master’s $48,500

TEACHER PAY VERSUS COMPARABLE PROFESSIONS

E XAMPLES OF TEACHER SALARIES Small rural Central Illinois school— Bachelor’s 32 years $45, 200 K-3 Master’s 29 years $52, 500 Librarian Chicago suburban school — Master’s 23 years $122,000 P.E. Master’s 30 years $129,000 Jr. High Master’s 24 years $144,000 ESL These salaries are based on the amount of education a teacher has, the number of years they have taught, and their extracurricular activities.

FCS P ROFESSIONAL O RGANIZATIONS IFACSTA Illinois Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher’s Association Dues— $125 IAFCS Illinois Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Dues — $135

B ENEFITS OF P ROFESSIONAL T EACHER O RGANIZATIONS Provides the opportunity to network with colleagues across the state Provides the opportunity to get recognized for successful projects Provides the opportunity to learn about new teaching techniques Provides the opportunity to take on leadership responsibilities at the State and National Levels

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS FCCLA SKILLS USA

T EACHER ’ S UNIONS Illinois Federation of Teachers IFT Illinois Education Association IEA/NEA Dues — $400-$500 annually Benefits— Negotiate salaries and working conditions Provides liability insurance as part of dues

E XAMPLES OF FCS TEACHING AREAS Culinary Arts Foods Human Growth and Development Human Relations Resource Management Interior Design Fashion

ILLINOIS UNIVERSITIES THAT OFFER FCS EDUCATION PROGRAMS Bradley University Chicago State University Eastern Illinois University Illinois State University Northern Illinois University Olivet Nazarene University Southern Illinois University

TEST OF ACADEMIC PROFICIENCY ( TAP ) Education majors should take the ACT with writing test as a High School Junior or Senior. If they get a 22 or better they DO NOT have to take the TAP test that is required by the state of Illinois before they receive a teaching certificate. Students may want to retake the ACT test as a Senior to see if they can score a 22 or better. It is cheaper to take the ACT and it is usually given locally.

CONTACT INFORMATION Linda Walker Family and Consumer Sciences Facilitator 2450 Foundation Drive Springfield, Illinois