Teaching in Public Schools in Texas

I am thinking about becoming a high school teacher here in Texas (Rio Grande Valley) through the alternative certification program. There seems to be a shortage of teachers here. Does anyone have more information about this?

 

I'm sorry but, information about ...what, specifically? Alternatve routes? Teaching, h.s. in general? Teacher shortages?

 

You may already be aware of this program, but if not and for anyone else interested;

Online Teacher Certification Program | Texas Teachers Alternative Certification

 

If there's a shortage of teachers, then maybe someone needs to raise what they're paying.

 

Teacher shortages in Texas.

 

Thank you.

 

I'm in Texas, and I was temporarily in the iTeach program until I was accepted to a PhD program. The "desirable" districts tend to only hire those with alternative teacher certifications (those on a provisional license needing mentoring) for shortage areas such as chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, ESL, special education, family consumer sciences, foreign languages, health science, and other technical/vocational subjects. School districts in rural areas and the inner-city with high percentages of economically disadvantaged students tend to have shortages across the board, so will hire those with alternative teach certifications in just about every subject.

 

Thank you! I am in the RGV (Rio Grand Valley for non-Texans). The TEXES tests look difficult.

 

I Passed 2 TEXES Content Exams!

I passed both the Computer Science and Social Studies content examinations! I am now in an alternative certification program.

 

Congratulations. This sounds like a wonderful opportunity.

I notice one of your master's degrees is from a DEAC-accredited school. Even though you have a master's from a regionally accredited school, (a) would the CCU degree have been sufficient for being recognized at that level and (b) was it helpful to you in some other way? We're always on the lookout for good anecdotes about people who've found their degrees from DEAC-accredited schools to be helpful.

 

Which program did you end up going with?

 

Region One at Edinburg.

 

Thank you!

All my degrees were considered valid. It seems the stipulation is that degrees must be either RA or NA from the Texas alternative certification website. Specifically, they must be accredited by an agency that is recognized by the US Department of Education. One of the legitimate agencies listed was DEAC on that website.

However, when entering my degree information on Region One's website for prospective employment, the drop down box for the name of the school only contained a list of RA schools. There was the option of "Other" where I was able to enter my NA schools.

When I interviewed with Region One to be formally accepted into their alternative certification program, my NA degrees were taken seriously. But I can't be sure that if I only had NA degrees I would not have encountered some pushback. I wasn't concerned since I have an RA Bachelor's and Master's.

 

I hope it went well. I was going to go that route but decided to go with the accelerated online MPA at UTRGV.

 

No Shortage of Teachers

Yes, it went well. Certified to teach either computer science or social studies. Unfortunately, there seems to be a serious glut of teachers, NOT A SHORTAGE. Cannot find any teaching jobs. Have been to several interviews but the competition for them is fierce.

Thinking about going back to the corporate world or retiring.

 

Back in the Corporate World

Goodbye teaching... Hello again corporate world. Just got a job as a customer service representative. Start training in two weeks. Apparently there is a shortage of customer service reps if they are willing to hire an old geezer like me so fast.

 

Congratulations! :beerchug:

 

Thanks!

Thank you! I'm sure it won't be an ideal career but it's going to be short. I only want this job for about 2 years. Then I can start to collect Social Security at 62. Or I may put it off a couple more years if I like the job.

 

Congrats on the position. Several things have to be in place for a teaching position in the RGV. I finished my MAIS in December and am now looking at MPA programs or some program to teach adults.

 

Teaching

Thank you! I wish you the best in your teaching endeavor.