Debbie Paryzer

Posted on 9/24/09

I have been an Occupational Therapist for 20 years, much of
it spent working in school sys. with children with
disabilities. I developed an unusual bone disease, and can
no longer lift or carry heavy things. It is a big part of
what I do. My husband also walked out on me, and my 17 1/2
yr. old son who has a disability last Aug. So we are
struggling for money to just eat and pay the bills. I am
going to try to get money for returning to sch. I am trying
to use my BS degree in O.T. towards a teaching certificate
in Science to teach elementary, and possibly middle sch.
children. I am told there is a demand for Science teachers,
and I would love to teach. I live in Doylestown, Bucks Co.
Del. Vall has a program, they require me to take one more
science course, and take the Praxis exams, but say they
give no assistance with job placement after you take the
teaching courses with them, that add up to $10,000. I
looked into Arcadia, and they won't even accept most of my
BS in OT. They want you to practically start over again
just to make more money from you aside from taking their
teaching courses. So they are out. I went into NJ to Rider
Coll. They will accept BS degree, must take Praxis II ele.
ed., and they will help with job assist after, place me
within 40 miles of where I live in Doylestown,. but I would
not be certified to teach in PA. Would have to take
additional science course eventually to teach in Pa. Is
there any other way to do this??? Are there Alternate Route
programs in PA? I have heard there is one in NJ, but the
email address I send to never get back to me, and I have
been told I would have to probably teach in some very
dangerous neighborhoods. Can somebody please help me with
this. I am in good shape despite all, and my husband
couldn't have planned a worse time to do this to us, but I
bet there is never a good time.

Please let me know what you think. Thanks. Debbie

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