<p>Let my explain my situation. I finished my BA degree in English about four years ago and made a try of it in the real working world. I was naive about the whole situation and thought I could find work, somehow, as a writer. Alas that did not work and I’ve only really worked for about a year’s worth inside an office. I left again to pursue the dream and took writing classes and spent time working on my craft by myself and through the generosity of my family. But times as they are, I wanted to find work but couldn’t, and decided to go back to school and pursue a Master’s degree in Teaching.</p>
<p>Basically, I don’t have any letters from my old college professors or any close relationship with them to ever attempt to ask a letter, and I’m not sure if my former supervisor can or wants to write me a letter. So in my case I don’t have any genuine recommendation letters. </p>
<p>What would be the best way to get them now? Some advice I’ve heard is to take some college classes and hope to get one from a new teacher and to find work related to my field, and again hope to get a letter. But in both cases it would mean taking more time before getting my master’s degree.</p>
<p>Any thoughts on my situation will be gladly accepted.</p>
<p>I don’t have an good ideas about LOR writers for you but as it happens I’ve been looking into the MEd also so…</p>
<p>First - be aware that many MEd programs require either a BA in Education, existing licensure, or actual teaching experience. You might find that the shortest path to the MEd is to first pick up the undergrad major (which will include student teaching and license prep.) as an “add-on” to your existing BA. Obviously, you’ll gain access to LOR writers if you take that path. Unfortunately, it will likely take 2 academic years due to the way these programs are structured.</p>
<p>Second, look into alternative licensure procedures in your state (or wherever you want to teach). For people who already have a BA and are willing to teach in urban or <em>very</em> rural areas or teach certain subjects, many states have special programs that involve, say, a summer of training followed by supervised teaching, with the expectation that any additional educational requirements for licensure will be “made up” in a timely manner. There is a list of state contacts here:</p>
<p>[State</a> Contacts for Alternative Teacher Certification](<a href=“http://www.ncei.com/2002/02_state_contacts.htm]State”>http://www.ncei.com/2002/02_state_contacts.htm)</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Hey WilliamC thanks for the advice. Yeah that looks like a route I might take regarding LOR, either going back to school or work that’s related to the field. Sigh, it’s going to take me longer than I had wanted but I guess better late than never.</p>
<p>Just bumping this thread to see if anyone has any new or useful ideas for this situation I’m in.</p>
<p>Be aware that many states have now instituted master’s programs that confer teacher certification after one year (sometimes 18-24 months). These may have different names depending on the university, but some universities, in fact, have students get their undergraduate degree in a discipline they want to teach (NOT education) and then have then spend the 5th year working on education courses in preparation for teaching. Student teaching is often extra time, and the student ends up with a master’s degree (often an MAT) and state teacher certification. </p>
<p>Look at all the options at the various universities you’re considering as well as the web site of the state dept. of education for their requirements.</p>