Highly Qualified Status for a brand New Teacher?

Question

Can a brand new teacher (college graduate now filling out applications) be considered "Highly Qualified"? Or is that something that you can only be considered AFTER you have been teaching a while?

I hate to give the wrong answer on the applications, and the websites seem SO confusing on this matter.

THANKS!

Answer 1

Yes, according to NCLB, as a  brand new teacher you can consider yourself "highly qualified."

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/nclb/hottopic...

The determination is not years of experience, but method of achieving qualification:  college degree, Praxis tests, regular (not provisional or emergency) certification, etc.

Answer 2

Qualified yes, however unless you wish to be considered highly arrogant, unwise to use the word 'highly' to describe your self as a new teacher. Most of us who have been qualified for some time( I got nqt status in 1995 and am now an advisory teacher) would steer very clear of the word as it implies we know all the answers and obviously we don't. So be honest and realistic in your application if you get an interview you will have the chance to show your enthusiasm for teaching which can often overtake experience for some schools especially if their budget demands an nqt. Good luck with the application.

Answer 3

yes, you can - I see that some other posters do not know that it is indeed a classification under NCLB.

You have to have full state certification - a clear credential, not a preliminary credential. You need to have passed your subject matter verification tests - and you must have a major or major equivalent in the subject you are teaching.

good luck to you!

Answer 4

No.  You may be qualified, but you don't have any experience, it can't be "highly" qualified.  I taught a few years, I wouldn't even use the word.  I only say I am "experienced."

*** EDIT ***

The original question was not clear, that's why many people think it is bad to use the term.  Although No Child Left Behind termed "federal highly qualified standard", I still think it is more appropriate to say that you "meet the federal highly qualified standard" in the application instead of saying you are highly qualified.

Answer 5

Well Said Carboran..

Just try to understand this.

Right this moment you know something and you feel and say to the world you know it. The very next moment you add up something to that knowledge and you realize that what you had known was incomplete. This is a cycle -- people always keep growing and learning.

Never in our lives we can ever say we know - we should always say we are learning.

Take Care