Hi, I am looking for information regarding alternate route teacher certification. Has anyone on this board used one of the big three to obtain a degree and then go through the alternate route process. I am specifically looking for information about this process for New Jersey. Any info is appreciated. Thanks mll
Hille (who posts here regularly, as well as on TESC's moderated discussion boards) has had, I believe, considerable experience with the ins 'n' outs of the NJ Alternate Route process. My impression-- strictly second-hand-- is that a big hurdle is to find a local district that'll accept an alternate route (rather than certified) candidate.
Once upon a time I looked into obtaining teaching certification via the alternate route in Virginia. However, in Virginia the alternate route is a catch-22 type of situation. First, you have to be hired to teach from an accredited school and then the school will recommend you for certification. The catch-22 involves the fact that Virginia really doesn't have any shortage of teacher applicants. I went to a job fair for teachers during this time and there was an abundance of already certified applicants for very few positions. So, in Virginia, the chances of being hired to teach without certification are very slim. Cy
Mll: I don't know anything regarding NJ's process but it worked for my wife in NC. She finsihed her degree at COSC after attending Liberty University. She was offered a job with a school based on NC's alternative certification route and then went to East Carolina University to finish her certification. I think two things helped her get in the door. She had about 15+ hours in Elementry Education classes from Liberty University and she had worked part time as a teacher's assistant in a private school. But it is not uncommon to get these type of offers if you are not certified as long as your state has some form of alternative certification program and if you apply to a school district that is in need of teachers. My advice would be to get as many education related classes as you can while you are trying to finish your degree and possibly start substitute teaching or work as a teacher's assistant. This way you bring to the table course work in education as well as some experience. Duff
Education courses Hello, I would check the US Fire Academy for some free education credits. I am not sure if there are one or two one credit options. Load up on educaton credits in any way you can. In NJ math teachers are always needed. If this is a strength with you I would go that way on a more non-tradional male role as a home ec teacher. Hille
Thank you for the information. I have heard that alternate route may not be desirable to some districts. For the life of me I can't understand why. You would think that schools would appreciate a more mature and experienced adult. Does anyone have any insight to this. Hille, I was hoping you would see my post. I'll pm you. mll
If you are going alternative certification, you will want to check with your state to see how they are responding to the No Child Left Behind legislation. While ultimately NCLB will fail because its unworkable, it will affect certification and hiring for the next few years. Tom Nixon
certification I've got a Regents/Excelsior degree, and soon will have a M Ed in TEACHER EDUCATION, yet I still will need classes to get certified in most states. I can understand mentored teaching, but more courses? Washington state has gone as far as turning over the cerrtification process to the various colleges of education in the state. What is the U of W going to say when I present my very full transcript? Probably, "with another 8-10 of our classes you'll be ready to go..." It is a lot of work to get a $24,000 job. I can imagine the day when states insist upon Ed S degrees or even doctorates for the privledge of teaching. I know teachers with over 200 SH so they can meet the undergrad requirements. Good luck, one future teacher to another
Yes. Many of those "more mature and experienced adults" are going the traditional route. Look around in teacher credential classes. Lots of older folks are doing in-the-seat traditional coursework to earn their credentials. Tom Nixon
Tom, You are absolutely correct about the mature student sitting it out in the traditional teacher programs. This is something that I am actually thinking about doing, but I wonder...who would be the most desired canidate for a teaching position, the older newly licensed teacher or the younger newly licensed one? mll
Hello, If you already have your undergraduate degree with a 2.75 I suggest you look into one of the state run alternate route programs. The one my husband is enrolled in NJ City University frees the school from supplying a mentor which was used a reason for not hiring. Again I urge you to consider a non traditional role as a home ec ( which can actually be career planning) or mathmatics. Let me know if I can give you any specifics. Hille [email protected]
Your mileage may vary, but the year that I was hired to teach children, I was 38 years old. I was the youngest of my school's three hires that year. Yes, there are principals that will want to hire young teachers, but there are also many who will want someone with more life experience. Tom Nixon
I am looking for information regarding alternate route teacher certification. Has anyone on this board used one of the big three to obtain a degree and then go through the alternate route process. I am specifically looking for information about this process for New Jersey. Any info is appreciated. >>>>>>> This may or may not be helpful sonce I'm from way down south, but I had no trouble doing alt. cert. after a bachelors in psych/sociology from Excelsior (then Regents). My hunch is that a large degree of whether or not they make you hoop-jump has to do with how desperate they are for your certification (I was bilingual). Also, in most states it's only a test to move from one certification to another--so I would try to pursue a certification in an area in which they have desperate need, fulfill my requirements for the certificate, then test into whatever I wanted to teach. Ben
An excellent suggestion, Ben. What subject areas are in most demand for teachers in your area? How would I find out more about this in my state (Ohio)? Thanks, Tony
Tony wrote: What subject areas are in most demand for teachers in your area? How would I find out more about this in my state (Ohio)? >>>> I'm in Texas, and the two most needed are special education and bilingual (Spanish) after that, there is always a demand for math/science teachers and foreign language teachers are needed as well. When I went through the program (alt cert) we were all either special ed or bilingual, though the program has expanded in order to include general ed teachers. This is a direct side effect of demanding all teachers be certified: shortcuts must be increased to meet that demand. I'm not calling this bad or good: just saying what is--we'll see in the long run what the result is. As far as Ohio goes, I don't know, but you could look ask a few questions: Is there a significant immigrant population that would increase demand for ESL (English as a second language_ teachers? Is there a math and scince shortage? This is spotty since certain areas of the country have seen private sector workers with advanced degree move into the field. What special skills and experience can you use to market yourself? For me, I was a male who didn't mind working with elementary school kids and this has put me in high demand, whereas in high school I would be just another teacher. Just some thoughts, Ben
If your not mathmatically orientated, bilingual, or inclined towards special Ed, look at teaching elementary school. I want a social studies 7-12 certification - but that is arguably the only area without a shortage. I am planning on picking up a library-media minor to make myself more marketable, plus shooting for an elementary certificate. I'll worm my way into a SS class or two as it is my favorite subject to talk, listen, teach and learn about.
