OT: any teachers in massachusetts here?

I am thinking about switching careers to teaching and would love to talk with some real-life teachers in this state of Massachusetts about what it's like.  It looks like there are a lot of hoops to jump through, but I kind of grasp that I need to get a preliminary license first, and to do that i have to pass 2 MTELs - for content i will probably start with reading as from the sample questions that's the one i think i can pass.  My background is a BA in humanities/world cultures with some graduate work in english and an MA in psychology.  I'd love to eventually be teaching science to middle-schoolers i think.  but i can start with reading and see where it goes from there, i'd have to do some studying to pass the other MTELs.

I am a teacher.  The tests you must take are dependent upon what level you want to teach.  To get started take the Preliminary test (Communication and Literacy).  There are several Science content area tests (not sure which one you need).  Once you pass the Communication and Literacy and the Content area exams, you can apply for Preliminary Licensure to the dept of ed.  They will want your transcripts.  Just google Mass dept of education (I think they recently changed the title of the dept but that should get you there).  Feel free to PM me .  ginny

thanks ginny.  i've sent you some pms, thanks for responding and indulging my many questions!

Hi

I am a Massachuisetts Special Education Teacher.  I was grandfathered in before all the MTELS were put in place.  I know know many towns in Massachusetts are not hiring many teachers due to the towns short falling budget crisis.  I would make an appointment with the department of education to see what you would required to  to get your teaching certificate.  I know when I called the Department of Eduaction I would get different answers to the same question depending on who answered the phone.  Good Luck!

thanks for responding jereyes.  How do you like teaching in Massachusetts?  How would you say is the relationship between the unions, the school administrations, and the state?  What's the overall culture like?  How is the political landscape within the schools, is it crazy or just the usual BS with personalities?  Aside from how to go about getting licensed, would you have any advice or words of wisdom from your own experience for someone getting started?  Anything you would do differently if you could do-over?