CSTA Puget Sound (WA)

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  • 1.  Employment Opportunities for Computer Science Educators 2023

    Posted 03-16-2023 07:29 PM

    This thread is for PSCSTA members to introduce and discuss employment opportunities for Computer Science educators (and prospective educators) in 2023.  Posts to this thread may also cover opportunities/challenges to gaining the qualifications to teach computer science in Washington and finding employment as a computer science educator. 

    When posting to this community, note that the use of certain words, including the word "free", will cause the post to be subject to moderation.  If you post to this community and do not see your post appear in a timely manner, please contact csta.pugetsound@gmail.com for further information. 



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    Lawrence Tanimoto
    Treasurer, CSTA Puget Sound (WA)
    Bellevue, WA
    K-12 Teacher (retired)
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  • 2.  RE: Employment Opportunities for Computer Science Educators 2023

    Posted 03-17-2023 08:17 PM

    An experienced CS teacher from another state recently moved to Washington and had the following question (paraphrased):

    I am looking into a Washington Teaching certificate and am feeling a bit overwhelmed.  I am currently certified to teach math in a few states which looks like a pretty easy transfer. However, from what I can tell, Washington puts CS under CTE. If that's the case, is there a way to obtain that certification without doing a university program or having industry experience?

    My response:

    Information on the exam to receive the Washington state computer science endorsement is at  https://www.west.nesinc.com/testview.aspx?f=html_frag/nt315_testpage.html.   The endorsement process in general is at https://www.k12.wa.us/certification/teacher-certificate/already-washington-certified-educators/adding-endorsement
     
    As you are an experienced CS teacher, you should probably just take the sample test to get familiar with the scope and take the actual exam.   PSCSTA is also helping to run a prep course for the exam based on the WeTeach_CS curriculum, but that is likely overkill for you.   Let me know if you have any questions about the exam.
     
    Many schools in Washington will still advertise for CTE teachers for their CS teaching positions.   The CS endorsement should qualify you to take these positions as well (even if the school/district helps you to apply for a conditional CTE cert after you are hired).   If it doesn't qualify you, let me know and it will be an interesting discussion with state officials.   

    Please respond to this post if you have anything to add, clarify, or correct to this response. 



    ------------------------------
    Lawrence Tanimoto
    Treasurer, CSTA Puget Sound (WA)
    Bellevue, WA
    K-12 Teacher (retired)
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Employment Opportunities for Computer Science Educators 2023

    Posted 03-25-2023 10:28 PM

    Members with expertise in Washington state teaching certification may want to comment on this post:

    Ocean (a pseudonym) is a prospective CS teacher with a master's degree in CS from a foreign country and would like to teach high school computer science.   Ocean has been a teaching assistant/instructional assistant at an independent school in Washington for more than three years but does not have industry experience in computer science in the US.   What is the most efficient way for Ocean to gain credentials to teach computer science in Washington?

    My response:

    Taking the CS endorsement exam by itself will not help Ocean.   It is only an additional endorsement that must be combined with another teaching certificate.

    Ocean's experience in the US is in teaching computer science rather than in industry.  Although teaching is not considered part of the 6,000 hours of industry experience necessary for a Type 2 Business and Industry CTE certificate for many subjects, STEM teaching experience in science, technology, engineering, and math may be used.     https://www.k12.wa.us/certification/teacher-certificate/career-and-technical-education-applicants/initial-career-and-technical-educator-cte-certificate.   One low-cost alternative that Ocean could explore to discuss their situation and get their initial CTE certificate is at South Seattle: Initial Career and Technical Educator (CTE) Certificate | OSPI (www.k12.wa.us)

    Another possibility for Ocean is getting a Master's in Education in Math degree which may take 1-2 years.   See https://www.k12.wa.us/certification/teacher-certificate/washington-state-certification-frequently-asked-questions under "Teacher".  One possibility I am partial to is  Western Governor's University Online Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics for Middle and High School (wgu.edu) although there are many others.  You can then pass the CS Endorsement exam on your own.   Another possibility is UW Step CS program https://computinged.uw.edu/stepcs/ which is an additional quarter to the UW Master's in Education program Secondary (Middle/High School) Teacher Education Program | UW College of Education.   However, the STEP CS program alone will not he[p get the  initial licensure.



    ------------------------------
    Lawrence Tanimoto
    Treasurer, CSTA Puget Sound (WA)
    Bellevue, WA
    K-12 Teacher (retired)
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Employment Opportunities for Computer Science Educators 2023

    Posted 04-28-2023 10:46 AM

    First public school CS ed job posting I've seen so far this season on LinkedIn at Puyallup School District : https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3581302704/.   



    ------------------------------
    Lawrence Tanimoto
    Treasurer, CSTA Puget Sound (WA)
    Bellevue, WA
    K-12 Teacher (retired)
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Employment Opportunities for Computer Science Educators 2023

    Posted 07-20-2023 05:24 PM

    Here's a couple:

    https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/seattleschools/jobs/4122004/chief-sealth-hs-cte-computer-science-teacher-80-fte  (Chief Sealth, Seattle Public Schools)

    https://www.applitrack.com/Puyallupk12/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp?all=1&AppliTrackJobId=5259&AppliTrackLayoutMode=detail&AppliTrackViewPosting=1 (Emerald Ridge High School, Puyallup School District)

    I have yet to see a posting for a non-charter public school in Washington that has been looking for a computer science teacher that is not CTE (even though we also have the CS endorsement exam).   I am increasingly of the belief that this is a practice that limits the diversity of public school CS teachers in Washington state (87.5% white).  Does anyone know a labor lawyer - preferably good, but inexpensive - that can consult on this issue?



    ------------------------------
    Lawrence Tanimoto
    Treasurer, CSTA Puget Sound (WA)
    Bellevue, WA
    K-12 Teacher (retired)
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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