What rewards are there for being a teacher? 
Teaching is a rewarding career in many ways:

• Teachers touch the future. 
• Knowing you helped children learn is very satisfying.
• Teaching allows you to apply your creativity.
• Starting salaries for teachers are competitive with many other professions. Salaries increase with experience and training.
• Retirement and health benefits are excellent.  Teachers with 35 years of experience can retire with 89% of the average of their last three years income.

When will I be placed for field experience?
All four years of your program.  The location will most likely be within a 50 mile radius of Findlay.  Exceptions can be made for student teaching with approval of the field placement office.  You will be supervised by faculty and retired teachers. 

Will I get a job when I am finished?
There are jobs for new teachers. There is great demand in math, science, and special education. Graduates who are willing to relocate have multiple job offers. Many Ohio teachers will be retiring over the next 5-10 years.

What is the structure of licensure in Ohio?
Ohio has four basic age categories for teaching licenses:

1. Early Childhood (age 3-grade 3)
2. Middle Childhood (grades 4-9)
3. Adolescent/ Young Adult (grades 7-12)
4. Multi-Age (grades k-12)

To teach special education, you must earn an Intervention Specialists license, which is a k-12 license and allows you to teach children with mild to moderate disabilities.

Adolescent/ Young Adult majors are double majors in education and the content areas of English/Language Arts, Social Studies, Integrated Science, Life Science, or Mathematics. Multi-Age majors also double major in education and the content areas of Physical Education, Health, Drama/Theater, Visual Arts, Spanish, or Japanese.

Middle Childhood majors have two areas of concentration, which are the two areas they can teach. Middle Childhood majors who want to teach in self-contained 4th-6th grades may add a Middle Childhood Generalist Endorsement to their teaching license.

What are the licensure requirements in Ohio?
The Ohio Provisional Teacher License, valid for two years, is the first license that a graduate may be granted and is required for participation in an Entry-Year Program. The provisional license is good for up to two years.  The state is changing over to a residency program and teachers will renew licensure every five years.  Licensure changes to the new career ladder will go into effect in 2011.  The University of Findlay will keep students informed on changes.  The two-year provisional license will be issued to individuals who complete the following requirements:

• hold a degree required by the license
• have completed portfolio review at all four levels
• have completed an approved program of teacher preparation
• are deemed to be of good moral character
• have not been convicted of a felony (any misdemeanors, other than traffic offenses, will be reviewed by the Ohio Department of Education's legal department)
• have successfully completed professional examinations required by the State Board of Education (PRAXIS II)
• have demonstrated skill in integrating educational technology into instruction for children
• have completed required Application for Licensure Forms
• have been recommended by the Dean of an institution approved to prepare teachers
• have fulfilled all requirements of the College of Education Undergraduate Assessment Plan.

What if I want to teach in another state or abroad?
If you are interested in teaching in states other than Ohio, you should review that state's requirements with the College of Education Licensure Officer early in your program. Ohio currently participates in the Interstate Licensure compact with 26 states. Final authority for issuing licenses rests with the individual states.  Many of our graduates have moved to other states to teach.  Some have taken jobs overseas. 

Can I teach if I have a criminal record?
Some offenses are non-employable, which means a person could get a license but not a job. Non-employable offenses are listed in the Ohio Revised Code. If applicants have had a criminal record expunged, it needs to be noted on their application. Otherwise, they can be denied a license for falsifying their application.