40. Pass all 3 subsections of the Math CSET Exam

DONE
Today I received confirmation that I passed the last of the Math CSET exams! Yay! For those of you who don't know, the CSET exams are California Subject Education Tests or something like that. They can be used to demonstrate subject matter competence for potential teachers.

For example, I want to be a high school math teacher. In order to do that, I must demonstrate that I know math well enough to teach it. This can be done through completion of a Bachelor's degree in math. Well, I don't have that. So the second way to show that I know math is to take the Math CSET exams and pass them, which I did.

The CSET exams are a pain because they're not just one test per subject. Well, some simple subjects just have one test. For most subjects, though, you must take between 2 and 4 tests on the subject. Each "subtest" focuses on a different area of the subject. In math, the first test covered algebra through precalculus, and number theory. The second test was on geometry and statistics. The third was calculus and the history of math. Each subtest took me a good 4+ hours to complete. Hence the reason I am so happy to be done with them!

41. Start working as a substitute teacher

In Progress.

This is proving to be difficult. I had hoped to get hired on as a sub in a couple school districts. I made these wonderful application packets with copies of all of necessary the paperwork (teaching has so many requirements!) and I went to the district offices and submitted them. I haven't heard back from a single district.

I've also called districts to find out about whether or not they're hiring subs, and no one answers the phone, and then no one responds to my voicemail! It's driving me crazy.

I'm looking forward to teaching, but not to dealing with this BS bureacracy.

Masters Degree

As I've mentioned before, I'm currently in a post-bacc teacher credentialing program. I am getting a credential to teach high school math. Well, high school or middle school math. I'm not sure which I'll do yet. But I digress.
I am already thinking about what kind of masters degree I'd like to get upon the completion of my teaching credential. I've always been a bit of an over-planner. This time, planning far in advance will be helpful, though. Since I'm already going to school, it's relatively easy for me to complete any pre-reqs for a masters program. Plus I'm already on-campus to speak to advisers.
I thought about doing a masters in math with an emphasis on math education. The problem with that is that my college degree required exactly one math course. That means I'd have major work to do to complete the 24 units of pre-reqs, especially considering the sequential nature of math classes. Specifically, it'd be like 4 semesters of Calculus. That can't be rushed. Speaking it over with my husband, we decided a math masters is not for me. To be honest, the reason I'm going to teach math is that there's a huge shortage in the subject and therefore there are a lot of jobs. I've always liked math, but it's not my passion.
Maybe something like Environmental Science or something to do with animals would work. Those are both things about which I am quite passionate. Any recommendations?

And the bureacracy begins

I've had the pleasure of calling several school districts over the last few days. The primary reason I've called, and a very time-sensitive one, is that I need to get into classrooms to being performing the observations required for me class. I have yet to get a return call to any of my many calls or two in-person visits. I have deadlines for these observations, and I'm starting to freak out a bit. It's not that I've procrastinated, it's that no one gets back to me!

I've also been calling to find out the details of applying to be a substitute teacher at many districts. I've received all of one return call.

I'm excited about the prospect of teaching, but I'm not excited to work for a school district.