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Educator Recruitment, Development, & Retention |
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What You Should Consider
If you are considering making a career change into the teaching profession, you should be aware that teaching is not just another job and teaching is not for everyone. What it takes to teach goes far beyond intellectual abilities. However teaching is the most rewarding career and you will find it provides a great sense of accomplishment. Teaching is a career in which you are able to make a difference in our society and the world. If you have not made a commitment to a second career in teaching, the first step you should take is to determine if this is the right move before you invest a lot of time and money in obtaining your certification and then discover you made the wrong career decision. First, meet with a school principal and request to job shadow a teacher to see what is involved daily in this career. Second if you determine you are still interested in this career, spend some time in a public school classroom to see if you fit. Schools always need volunteers to help out, and tutors to work with students who need additional assistance. However, substitute teaching is probably the best way to determine if this career move is the right decision. THIS CONCEPT CANNOT BE OVEREMPHASIZED!! Districts always need substitute teachers. The demand for substitute teachers is so high that if you have the time you can probably substitute full-time in one school.Once you determine that teaching is for you, you need to refine your goal into a definite plan of action and approach your new career with a passion.
Decide what you want to teach:
Deciding what to teach includes the subject area and at what level (elementary, middle or high school) you want to teach. This choice may be based upon what you did in your previous career, or just your personal interest. If you have several areas of interest, you do not have to resolve yourself to one subject. In fact, multiple areas of interest may have an advantage. The demand for teachers will vary by certification area. Currently there is a greater demand for teachers of mathematics, the sciences and exceptional student education (special education). Also, you will typically increase your opportunities if you hold multiple certifications, especially if your preference is teaching a subject that is not in high demand. However, you must also consider the cost and time it will take in completing several certifications and your interest and how certain are you of your ability to teach the subject. Make the decision as to what to teach from a lifetime career standpoint – make sure your choice will lead you in the direction you desire.As you consider your change in career, you must consider all your options and choose the one that best meets your needs. You must consider the subject area you want to teach, the demand for teachers in that subject, the demand in the various geographic locations around the state and the requirements you must complete to be eligible to teach your chosen subject. You must also consider your priorities. Is your first priority to teach or teach a specific subject? You may find that you are eligible or closest to meeting the certification requirements for a subject that is not your first choice. If you are willing and feel you have the ability to teach in an area that is not your first choice, you may find employment sooner and find more opportunities for employment. Especially if the area of certification is in a high need subject.
Also, there is a growing need in the public schools for highly skilled vocational-technical teachers. The requirements for this type of certification coverage are based more on occupational skill levels rather than college degrees. However, this does not mean there are no academic credits required; the academic part comes after the skill level in consideration. If you are lacking eligibility requirements for certification in an academic area, you may locate employment opportunities first in a vocational area.
Completing Teacher Certification:
Once you have decided on making this career move and on the certification you wish to pursue, you will then need to complete your certification requirements. Teacher certification is a States Rights issue. Troops to Teachers is a federal program that assist eligible military personnel with transitioning into a career in public school teaching. It is not a certification program; therefore what is required for certification, the method of completing certification, what must be completed prior to employment and what requirements can be completed after employment will vary by state.Most states require some courses in the content area, some pedagogy (education course), and certification exams. What will vary from state to state is the number of credit hours in content and in pedagogy, the number of exams (maximum of three), and which items must be completed prior to employment and which can be completed after employment. You may also be familiar with or have heard of "reciprocity with other state." Most of the time this term is used in reference to certificate eligibility and is used to indicate that a certificate in one state is accepted by another state or there is nothing an individual needs to accomplish to acquire the certificate from another state other than apply for certification. However, true reciprocity rarely exists. What is in existence is an interstate agreement that has been signed by approximately 40 states. The signing of the agreement indicates that member states recognize each state’s approved teacher training programs. It does not necessarily indicate eligibility for a certificate. A teacher candidate may still need to complete a required test or complete a specific course prior to obtaining a certificate. Most states will allow a candidate to complete any remaining items while teaching, but some states will not accept alternative certification programs even though an alternative route is state approved.
Therefore, if you plan to complete a certification program in one state but you are looking at the possibility of several states for potential employment, you must narrow your choices, research the requirements for each and compare what is acceptable. Each state’s Troops to Teachers program office can assist you in determining what is acceptable in a specific state.
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