SPEDucator

Certification will be hard if you haven't student taught in middle or high school. You are better off looking for independent schools or charter schools that don't require certification. NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) has a job board that you can look at. Just a warning hiring season is at the tail end in the independent school world. 

I just want to add a note here that it seems that UT-Austin wants outside employment to be reported to them prior to accepting the position. The documents can be found here. I'd double-check with individual departments to make sure everything is good to go because there are some contracts which prohibit outside work during the school year or require permission from the department. Best of luck to everyone.

I'm right there with both of you. Going to UT Austin in SPED. I've been trying to find online jobs, as I feel they would be more flexible with hours. I've looked into VIP kids (https://www.vipkidteachers.com/) as I have a teaching background. I'm just a little worried that it's what people sign up for, so it's not guaranteed $$ each week. 

Any other work from home options people have?

My current ipad isn't compatible with the apple pencil, so I'm planning on upgrading to the new air. I like the pro, but I don't know that it's worth the extra $330 (upgrade on ipad and pencil). The hand drag won't be an issue with the ipad. It can detect hand vs pencil. Are you near an apple store and go try them out? I would recommend that before you commit. I have one for work and I love it!

I also like handwritten notes, but have found an ipad with apple pencil does the same thing. I can read an annotate PDFs as well as take handwritten notes or typed notes. I use notability and have it on both my ipad and computer so it will sync between the two. 

also consider whether you will need to pay taxes on the 20k. That will make the per month amount less.
 

This is great advice! @2019CulturePhD I'm in a different department at the U of M so my experience may be different. I heard from the department before I got my official letter from the school. The  letter from the department invited me to the Grad Student Research Day (March 1st this year) and mentioned that I have until April 15th to decide. The letter also stated who my adviser would be and to reach out to them to talk about funding. I then emailed the professor and we have been trading emails back and forth to talk about funding and have a phone call set up.

Do you know who your advisor is? I would reach out to them or if you don't know to the department admin to check.

This is great advice! @2019CulturePhD I'm in a different department at the U of M so my experience may be different. I heard from the department before I got my official letter from the school. The  letter from the department invited me to the Grad Student Research Day (March 1st this year) and mentioned that I have until April 15th to decide. The letter also stated who my adviser would be and to reach out to them to talk about funding. I then emailed the professor and we have been trading emails back and forth to talk about funding and have a phone call set up.

Do you know who your advisor is? I would reach out to them or if you don't know to the department admin to check.

I got accepted by Penn State, Department of C & I, with emphasis on second language education. Still waiting on the funding info though. Anyone knows anything about the program? Please let me know! 

Just heard back from UT Austin. Got an email from the POI that he wanted to talk, then got an email that I was accepted. Two more I am waiting to hear from, but I don't expect to get into either of those as my research interests don't match as well.

Heard back from University of Maryland and I got in! The waiting game for the other 5 schools is stressing me out some, but hopefully some of the other programs will post decisions sooner rather than later. Hoping for good news for everyone here!! 

Woo hoo!  I'm in at Minnesota, too - Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Literacy Education focus.  Minnesota is ideal for us personally if we're going to relocate - family and friends and great job prospects for my spouse.  Just playing wait and see with other programs now - especially Harvard (CIS PhD) and Wisconsin (C&I).