untitled

Three other important reasons to teach are

June, July and August. The summer is an

amazing time for possibilities, academic or

otherwise. It is surprising how enjoyable it is

to work in a research lab during this time

without having to produce any papers.

The starting salary for a teacher varies

with experience and level of education. In the

Fairfax, Virginia public schools, a starting

teacher with a Ph.D. can earn about $40,000

annually (slightly less with a Master’s

degree), while in private schools the salary

will generally be slightly lower.

How to Get a Teaching Position

The application process in private schools

is different than in public schools. Private

schools have greater flexibility to judge the

qualifications of each teaching candidate.

Therefore, applying for a teaching position in

private schools is much less complicated. A

candidate can simply send a letter of interest

and an accompanying resume.

Public schools require a more complicated

application process because they require

teaching certification. Each state has its own

qualifications for determining certification.

Myra Thayer of the Fairfax County Public

Schools states that the certification process

examines competence in both science content

(for example, an understanding of all the con-

cepts of biology) and pedagogy (teaching

skills). While scientists will have less difficul-

ty in proving competence in science content

(although a cell biologist will need to know a

more diverse view of biology, such as popu-

lation ecology and evolution), usually they

will need to take classes in educational tech-

niques. Completing the necessary classes

takes approximately four semesters, and

includes topics such as child psychology and

instructional methods. Perhaps most impor-

tant, classes will include a teaching internship

with a master teacher in a local school. Many

public school systems work closely with local

colleges to offer an education program that is

certifiable in that school district. For example,

the Fairfax schools cooperate with George

Mason University, which offers classes in the

evening to interfere as little as possible with a

candidate’s day job. Eventually, a competence

test (called a Praxis Examination) must be

passed for certification.

Public school systems are generally willing

to give selected candidates who are not yet

certified provisional contracts that last three

to five years. These contracts allow the scien-

tist to begin teaching immediately under the

provision that the scientist will undertake the

education program for certification in the

first years of teaching.

How to Get Started

As an applicant for a teaching position,

any school system will be looking for experi-

ences with teaching. An application from a

scientist should emphasize a commitment to

teach. The number of publications and grants

will not impress a school system. Instead, a

resume needs to show experience in teaching

high school students, and an interest in edu-

cational issues.

There are numerous opportunities to gain

experience teaching biology to high school

students. For example, a scientist can talk at a

local school — this obligation is very small.

As long as the scientist makes an earnest

effort to reach his audience (i.e. do not pres-

ent your most recent research seminar), no

matter what is presented, the students will be

grateful. A slightly greater obligation is to

CHAPTER 2 • TEACHING & LEARNING 21

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR CELL BIOLOGY

Three other important reasons

to teach are June, July and

August.