Alternate Route vs. Traditional Teacher Certification

[searching75]

I want to enter into the teaching field but am debating on the best way. Financially the best way for me would be to use the Alternate route taking Praxis II & getting my CE. However, I fear that without ANY practical teaching experience it may not be a very good option. I know that there are many people who do it all the time. But I would like to do the best job that I can do!

Thank you

[Unregistered]

I recently completed an Alternative Certification program & loved it. However, I had 5 years of substitute teaching experience already behind me. A suggestion would be to start substituting & see if you can work both in. Then you will have some practical experience to draw on. The majority of my classmates had zero classroom experience and many were very nervous. Had I gone back through a traditional program I would have been so bored, I doubt I would have completed it.Good luck!

[Cliff]

Many teachers find it very difficult to just walk into a classroom. If you are going to take that route, try to observe as many veteran teachers, in your grade level, as you find time for. Learning from other is the most valuable experience you can get. :)

[searching75]

Thanks so much to you both! I just took the Praxis II this Saturday and I'm trying to figure out what the best route for me is. I am thinking of trying to sit in on some classes when possible. Substitute teaching isn't a viable option for me because I need to have health benefits and I also need to know that I have a consistent source of income since I support myself.

Still sort of up in the air. Thanks again for your help.

[Unregistered]

I, too, am dealing with the same problem. I feel the Alternate Route is the best way to go financially, but how difficult is the job market in NJ? What are the best subjects/grades to teach when going through this program. I am interested in the middle school level, perhaps special education. Any help would be appreciated to calm my nerves a bit. I feel like my head is spinning between meeting with colleges and trying to find out more info on this route.
Thanks

[Unregistered]

Just something to keep in mind. If you choose to go the alternative route to licensing, please check with other states to see if your "license" is good to accept a position within their state. I know that you are still taking courses with universities to earn your license but it may not be acceptable to the new state. For example, I know individuals who received their license through an alternative route in California but were not able to teach in the state of Nevada, eventhough they had been teaching in California for four years! It's a great plan if you don't plan on moving.

[Unregistered]

i am doing the alternate route right now. i have been a preschool teacher for 4 years, while finishing my college degree. i have my CE but I need a job to continue on with the program. its hard to find a job in NJ b/c theres so much competition. the only advantage of not being certified yet, is the district can get away with paying you less than someone who just finished the traditional route with student teaching. im applying everwhere within 20 miles!

[kristabel]

I entered the profession through alternate means (our state calls it lateral entry). I also had the benefit of a year's worth of substitute teaching under my belt. Having said that, most of my sub work was in a regular education environment. I certified in Special Ed. As soon as my lateral entry requirements were clear (lots of hoop jumping and taking classes as I taught), I applied for National Board Certification. I achieved certification on the 1st try. I say this to tell you that teaching is an honorable profession and one that you can excell at if you look, listen, and learn. Just because you enter the profession through an alternate route, don't sell yourself short. If you have the passion, the sky's the limit. Good luck.;)

[titansrst]

NJ is a tough nut to crack in terms of getting a job....except in areas like Paterson, Camden, Trenton, etc., which are dying for dedicated teachers. It's hard to attract good folks to these places because of the many problems that come with the turf. I'd rather teach nowhere else, but that is not the basic feeling.

[Unregistered]

At 47 years old I received my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology (the major I needed the least amount of credits to complete). I had married at 19 and never pursued my dream of being a math teacher. I worked in a Catholic School for a year (low pay but great experience) but there was a problem getting my Bachelor's (I was 3 credits short due to an error on my transcript) so I didn't enter alternate route until May of that year. I applied to a "troubled" district (Dover in northern NJ) as I felt they wouldn't get many applications - I was right and got a job teaching math. Public school, good pay, and they were willing to take me alternate route....I worked there for 2 years then moved to district I love. It's now my 4th year teaching (3rd year in Public School) and I'm 3/4 way to my masters (I got 15 credits through new pathways alternate route).

I would use the new pathways alternate route program (you can google it) as there is no mentoring requirement when you begin in Sept (you do 2 nights of classwork per week in the summer). Districts are quicker to hire from this alternate route program since you can teach alone in Sept. You are right, by the way, that it pays to sub or observe other teachers as much as possible. Good luck. (p.s. those grad credits turn into more money on the pay scale very quickly)

[Unregistered]

I was under the impression that you need to have a BACHELORS degree first. I have 2 associates and am finishing my BA in English this June. I know of someone in the program who only has 48 online college credits/ but friends in high places, and I,m wondering how someone with only 48 college credits is sitting in classrooms at night with everyone else who actually earned a bachelors degree. I s,ell a big Rat! Am I mistaken. I asked a college President and he said you need a bachelors as well. Whats the deal??????????????

[Unregistered]

i have my BA in marketing and i am looking to teach, i really am not sure what path to go. what exactly is Alternate Route, how does it work, what schools in the NNJ area offer such courses or can i go and take tests to get my CE?

matt

bailey-m@hotmail.com


I want to enter into the teaching field but am debating on the best way. Financially the best way for me would be to use the Alternate route taking Praxis II & getting my CE. However, I fear that without ANY practical teaching experience it may not be a very good option. I know that there are many people who do it all the time. But I would like to do the best job that I can do!

Thank you

[Unregistered]

i graduated in 2003. with liberal arts. i took praxis. got my CE. was going to do alternate route.... its been 3 yrs.. no teaching job! back to school for me... post bach. certificate.. will take a summer and 2 semesters then il have my teaching degree! who wants to hire someone with no experience.... makes no sense.... def stay away from alternate route!

[Unregistered]

I took my praxis II passed and have my CE, what do I do now. I keep trying to call and get in touch with someone with the NPTNJ and all I ever get is the answering machine. Any help would be great....

[Unregistered]

go online and google the new pathways program - you can register that way and also ask any questions and the answers will be emailed back to you - the new pathways program is an excellent program to get into teaching - and by the way, schools look for new pathways candidates because they know they are trained through the program and get paid less money - if you have the passion for teaching new pathways is the quickest way to get there - I am a special ed. teacher in nj who went through this program =

[Unregistered]

dont you need to have an undergraduate major like math or science in the subject area you are going to teach in, or be an experienced business professional in that area?

I have neither...I have a BS in Mangaement Science/Marketing and want to be an Elementary Ed teacher.

Does anyone have any info. on New Pathways to Teaching?

Thanks!

Oh, also, i live in scotch plains, nj...
where are the better paying districts for substitutes that are close by?

[kikkilee]

i recently got my C.E. in elementary education...i want to teach special ed, but i'm having a difficult time understanding what my next move should be. I've called the dept of education, the camden county superintendent's office, Rowan University's special ed program, and random districts, and i've gotten different responses from all of them. Very frustrating at this point because I need daytime hours within the next couple weeks. I could really use some help as well. For example, I was told that once I'm hired for a position, I start teaching from day 1. Is this true, because I was under the impression that I was mentored for 20 days or so, then would start student teaching. After all, I have no idea how to do a lesson plan, etc. Anyone know how it works??

~Chrissy~

[gm2007]

i have a degree in engineering and have been working for the past year and a half. i'm thinking of changing careers to become an elementary school teacher. what is a better route for me to take, alternate or traditional? i live in south jersey.

[Unregistered]

IN response to #16 message. My undergraduate was in Management. I also had an MBA in Marketing and wanted to teach elementary school. I took the Praxis exam for Elementary Education in early 2006, got my CE and applied to the NPTNJ program at Raritan Valley Community College for the summer of 2006. Took classes over the summer at night while still working and found a job at the last possible moment at a Catholic school in order to continue with the NPTNJ program. Quit my job and started teaching 4th and 5th grade in September 2006.
Continued the NPTNJ classes during the course of the school year and now have 15 credits toward my masters in education. Your undergraduate degree must include 60 credits in liberal arts. My concentration in Management and MBA would only allow me to teach at the HS level but it did not prevent me from teaching elementary. I now have a license to teach. I'm still at the same Catholic school. Pay is horrible, experience is terrific. Eventually will transition to public.

[InfoPlease]

I just stumbled across this website, and I could not be more thankful! I am trying to accumulate as much information as I possibly can about becoming certified, alternate route, in NJ. I really have no idea where to look. I will soon have my BA in History and would eventually like to teach middle or high school. I want to start looking into institutions that offer alternate route programs as well as necessary requirements (and so on). I would greatly appreciate any information that you may have!

[tina]

Hi, I just stumbled upon this site and you caught my interest about being national board certified.
I have been teaching 13 years 5th grade in Catholic School and thinking about getting a masters (not sure in what maybe Ed Tech) but someone suggested that getting nationally board certified would be a better route.
What do you think? I am 49 years old and will probably be at this school forever. What is the advantage of either having a masters vs. being nationally board certified. I know that getting a masters will take 2 or 3 years vs. 1 to 2 for board cert.
Thanks for your response.
Tina

I entered the profession through alternate means (our state calls it lateral entry). I also had the benefit of a year's worth of substitute teaching under my belt. Having said that, most of my sub work was in a regular education environment. I certified in Special Ed. As soon as my lateral entry requirements were clear (lots of hoop jumping and taking classes as I taught), I applied for National Board Certification. I achieved certification on the 1st try. I say this to tell you that teaching is an honorable profession and one that you can excell at if you look, listen, and learn. Just because you enter the profession through an alternate route, don't sell yourself short. If you have the passion, the sky's the limit. Good luck.;)

[Unregistered]

I worked as a computer programmer for 9 years with MCI but after my second child, I needed more quality time at home. Corporate America just doesn't prioritize family as a higher ranking. In the process of my decision making, I applied for a teacher's assistant position at a local school. Luckily, I was interviewed and hired. I worked as a teacher's assistant for 2 years because I wanted to make sure that teaching is what I wanted to do. The paycut was MAJOR. However, you are still entitled to the benefits. The experience with the children and quality time at home was well worth it. Well, now I am certified with a classroom of my own and I love every minute of it. Yes, I did receive a significant pay increase!!!!!!! Good Luck!!!!

[Unregistered]

Thank you to everyone for your posts so far. I have a degree in criminal justice which is a complete waste in education. does anyone know if i'll need to go back to school for a focus in english or history or is there a way to get a certificate of eligability with my degree?

[JennGen719]

I got a lot of great information out of this whole forum. Thank you to everyone for sharing your knowledge. I too am stuck, and dont know where to go from this point. I have a BS in Marketing and I just took the Praxis II in Elem Education: Content Knowledge. That was in Novemeber and I should be getting my score back soon. If i pass (hopefully) I will send my packet in to the NJBOE to apply for a CE in Elem Ed. If i obtain the CE i believe i start looking for a job. Is this correct? Also, i have no experience in the classroom or with children (professionaly). So, in the meantime i am applying for my sub certificate as well. This way i can sub and get some experience in the schools. I am a little nervous about this because I need benefits and so i was thinking of applying as teachers aide or assistant because i heard they get some benefits. If anyone has any information to help me that would be great. Let me know if i am on the right path. I was also thinking i would apply for the NJ Pathways program one i got the CE. Another question i have is, that i want to at some point get certified to teach science in the K-8 grades. How would i go about doing this? Can anyone help me...thanks!

[KenL]

I am looking to become a middle school math teacher. I graduated college in 1983 and would like to begin a second career. Need some guidance, where to begin. Would be interested in speaking with someone to help me along with the process.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

I am looking to become a middle school math teacher. I graduated college in 1983 and would like to begin a second career. Need some guidance, where to begin. Would be interested in speaking with someone to help me along with the process.

so you fail in one career and now you think you can save the educational world?

[Unregistered]

OK, let's see........an individual on this forum asks a legitimate question, hoping to get a reply that can give him/her some insight into beginning a new career in education. You don't know this individual, don't even know where he/she lives, what grade he/she is certified in, so........this individual has done nothing personally to you, except post a question on this forum. Now, let's see----hmmmmm-----there must be some reason why you would reply in such a hateful manner, assuming that above individual has failed at one career, so that must be why he/she is going into education. And this coming from a self-proclaimed "teacher of the year"????Something is amiss. Now, Choc, show us you have some gonads and reply to my question. Why the anger and smart-************ reply to this individual? I double dog dare ya!

[Unregistered]

so you fail in one career and now you think you can save the educational world?

Did it work for you?

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=searching75;390]I want to enter into the teaching field but am debating on the best way. Financially the best way for me would be to use the Alternate route taking Praxis II & getting my CE. However, I fear that without ANY practical teaching experience it may not be a very good option. I know that there are many people who do it all the time. But I would like to do the best job that I can do!

Research has shown that after three years of teaching, alternate route teachers do as well, or better, on state tests. That shows that the classroom is the best teacher. You will do fine. I did alternate route, and this is my first year teaching. I have had to make some major adjustments; however, I have friends who have gone the traditional route who felt the same in year one.

[Unregistered]

[I am looking to become a middle school math teacher. I graduated college in 1983 and would like to begin a second career. Need some guidance, where to begin. Would be interested in speaking with someone to help me along with the process.}
12-18-2007 12:53 PM

There is a plethora of information about teaching and the certification process on the Web. Here is where you can start: Just type "teach (state name)" in your browser, for example, while researching teaching in Georgia, I typed "TeachGeorgia". You will find information regarding all available routes to teaching in that particular state, including alternative routes. You can also go to the Department of Education website for whatever state you're looking to teach in. There is also a very informative site, PASSPORT TO TEACHING, where you can find very useful information about beginning your teaching career. Last, but not least, look into "public school teaching fellowships." Quite a few states have programs that recruit second and mid-career individuals who are looking for the best way to get into teaching without having to start from the traditional path. These programs offer teaching jobs with full teachers salary while working towards certification.

[Unregistered]

alter. route vs. traditional

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i graduated in 2003. with liberal arts. i took praxis. got my CE. was going to do alternate route.... its been 3 yrs.. no teaching job! back to school for me... post bach. certificate.. will take a summer and 2 semesters then il have my teaching degree! who wants to hire someone with no experience.... makes no sense.... def stay away from alternate route!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I have a friend who went Post Bach for her certification THREE years ago and hasn't found a job. You have to FIND A JOB FIRST before doing the Alternate Route. Therefore, it's a great program for someone who wants to teach and CAN find a job.

[Unregistered]

I am a first year teacher who took the alternate route to certification. I never taught before I took my this first teaching job. If you have any experience with children, you will do great. There is nothing like on the job training. You either sink or swim.

[KiKi Shanee]

I graduated back in 2005 and in September of '07 I began an Alternative Certification Program here in Houston, Texas. I sub for Alief ISD and I am an After-School Program Teacher in Alief ISD. I dont think I will have a problem getting a regular full-time job because I went through a certification program. Principals are all different, some dont like the grads who NEVER had a real job and have worked in the workforce, while others only may seek grads with an Education Degree. Either or, the Alternative Certification in Texas yields the same level of potential educators. Those who get a degree in education still have to do student teaching, ASP participants have the option of student teaching a a paid teaching salary internship and year contract!!!

[Unregistered]

I am a college student attending Grambling State University getting ready to graduate May 2008. However my degree, a BA in Mass Communication doesn't have anything to do w/ teaching. Is there any way that I will be able to teach with out being certified. I'm willing to go through the steps of getting certified however I would also like to teach while I am going through these steps.

[Unregistered]

I, too, am dealing with the same problem. I feel the Alternate Route is the best way to go financially, but how difficult is the job market in NJ? What are the best subjects/grades to teach when going through this program. I am interested in the middle school level, perhaps special education. Any help would be appreciated to calm my nerves a bit. I feel like my head is spinning between meeting with colleges and trying to find out more info on this route.
Thanks

I went the Alternative route myself. I did it in Special Ed. In our area, there is always a need for sped teachers. I also co-teach in a 4th grade classroom with 27 students. I took the GACE II this past Saturday for early childhood. My system paid for it so I jumped right on. I will be able to have a homeroom next year if I want. Since this is my first year teaching, I think that I would like to work in special ed a few more years before I take a regular ed classroom. I am also working on my Masters in special ed right now. Special Ed. teachers are in high demand throughout the country. You can't go wrong in that field.

[Unregistered]

I am studying to become a teacher too! I am going the traditional route. Have about ten classes to go before I get my associates degree. I am really enjoying it. I go into classrooms and observe. Its really different sitting in the back taking notes, not as a teacher but not as a student either. I am taking some really neat classes like childrens literature which is actually WAY different than i thought i would be. it is not considered an engligh class where I am at. there is no writing papers on what you think about the story. we mostly talk about brain biology, reading techniques, developmentally appropriate books. I can feel myself growing with knowledge. It can get expensive with the traditional route but it is so rewarding.

[Unregistered]

Hi all! So I am in quite the funk as well. However, everything seems to be working for me rather than against me nowadays. So I am about to graduate with a BA in journalism. I dislike the field very much. Sadly, I only figured this out after I began working as a journalist for a newspaper and as an intern for NBC. Yes, it sounds glamorous, I know. To be honest, it is everything but that. So I turned to teaching.

I heard about the alternate route from my boyfriend who is a school psychologists and he highly suggests that I started the program. I love kids. I love to talk and I love being in front of groups of people. I think I found my place! FINALLY! So I started to sub at my old Catholic grade school and the first day I did it, I loved it. I just received my PRAXIS scores and passed with a high praxis score for elementary ed. In May I start my alternate route program at a college in NJ and it will last about a year and will include a full semester of student teaching. Afterwards, I plan on starting my masters immediately in Special Ed.

I highly suggest doing this if you feel you could work with kids and would love to teach. Don't do this as an "easy way out". Yes, the benefits of teaching are unreal with summers off and so on. However, this is a job that needs dedication. Often times people can enter a field and work day to day and not put passion into their work. As a teacher, you NEED to be passionate and well-rounded. You are, in fact, teaching the youth of America.

To make a long story short---I can't wait to teach!!! :)

[lindsey923]

I am receiving my BA in psychology in August, and I would like to go into teaching. My local school district has agreed to hire me if I take the Praxis and being the alternate route. I am confused about the Praxis.. do I need to take the Praxis I or II? I was assuming that I would take the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge test, but now I am seeing a lot about the subject specific tests. What do I need to take? Thanks for the info!

[valw]

HI..I have my degree in psychology and want to go into teaching also..can anyone just take the praxis..right now I work in a preschool as an aid but would love to be a teacher..was thinking about the nj pathyways program but its not from preschool..just elementary school..

val

[Unregistered]

you should become highly qualified in a subject area when you go into teaching. You have psych so you can take the elementary praxis. But if I were you I would take some english, math or science classes.... become highly qualified and take the praxis in that subject area. You will have a better chance of finding a job. Psychology and elementary majors are a dime a dozen. Also, look into getting your special education certificate. I am an English major with a dual certification: general and special education. The more you have the more likely you are to find a job. Good luck in all you do. (:

[Unregistered]

i graduated in 2003. with liberal arts. i took praxis. got my CE. was going to do alternate route.... its been 3 yrs.. no teaching job! back to school for me... post bach. certificate.. will take a summer and 2 semesters then il have my teaching degree! who wants to hire someone with no experience.... makes no sense.... def stay away from alternate route!

Get hired in nc and sc

[Unregistered]

Hi, I just stumbled upon this site and you caught my interest about being national board certified.
I have been teaching 13 years 5th grade in Catholic School and thinking about getting a masters (not sure in what maybe Ed Tech) but someone suggested that getting nationally board certified would be a better route.
What do you think? I am 49 years old and will probably be at this school forever. What is the advantage of either having a masters vs. being nationally board certified. I know that getting a masters will take 2 or 3 years vs. 1 to 2 for board cert.
Thanks for your response.
Tina

I am working on my degree . I am 43 and I have 2 1/2 years left. I am not going to quiet.

[Unregistered]

Hi I too have gone through the alternate route for Elementary ed. I love teaching. I have been teaching for 15 years between pre-school and Elementary grades. The alternate route is great for those who have a BA in a field approved by the educational field i.e. sociology, psych, history etc. If you are a business major you will have to take courses before taking the alternate route. You also need to be employeed by a school. This is the major requirement. If you are lucky enough to be hired by a public school and the agree to send you through the program grab it. The field is being flood with teachers due to the state cut backs. As for being in special ed, be careful. The word is the state wants to do away with "special ed" and role all together with reg ed. How this will happen I have no idea. The state of NJ is always changing something. The more you have the better your chances are. Good luck to all!!

[Unregistered]

To all those out there looking at getting into teaching... If you want to teach be sure you have experience with groups of children and have an idea of what teaching looks like or should look like. This past year I worked with 2 teachers doing their alternate certification... one left at mid-year and the other barely finished out the year. Mind you this was at the high school level, but teaching is not a cake walk nor an easy way to earn a living. First off if you are in a business field chances are you are already making more money than you will teaching. Teachers are not very well paid and in some states they pay dearly out of pocket for benefits. The other is if you move at all be aware that when you reach the point in your career that you have lots of experience they may not hire you because you are then an "expensive hire". Of course that last part would probably apply to many careers. Just saying these things as a word of caution. Teaching is not just a career it is a life style and if you really love teaching then it's for you, but if you are going into teaching for job security, the hours, etc. then you will be miserable and the students you teach will be miserable as well. I've taught for 23 years in 2 states and another country. I love teaching, but I hate seeing folks come into the profession that are doing it cause it's a steady job... they give the rest of us who love our profession a blot against what we do. Most of the time they are not very good teachers, but a teacher who just gets by without a lot of effort. Remember that a good teacher never stops learning and is a teacher 12 months of the year plus almost every waking hour because we never stop looking or planning for the next best learning experience for our students. That's probably very overstated, but when every good teacher you know has 1/2 or more of their double car garage filled with teaching "stuff" then you will understand what I mean. So, to sum all of this up... if you really want to be a teach... then go for it by whatever means is available, but if you are just wanting to do it because of the steady job, etc. please do education a favor and seek another career.

[ok0510]

I am working on my degree . I am 43 and I have 2 1/2 years left. I am not going to quiet.Buy Cheap World of Warcraft Gold (http://www.world-warcraft-gold.org)WOW Gold (http://www.buy-wow-gold.org.cn)Cheap WOW Gold (http://www.bankofwow.com)WOW Gold (http://www.gameusd.com)Buy WOW Gold (http://www.buy-wow-gold.org.cn)Logo Design (http://www.logo-design-web.com)
you should become highly qualified in a subject area when you go into teaching. You have psych so you can take the elementary praxis. But if I were you I would take some english, math or science classes.... become highly qualified and take the praxis in that subject area. You will have a better chance of finding a job. Psychology and elementary majors are a dime a dozen. Also, look into getting your special education certificate. I am an English major with a dual certification: general and special education. The more you have the more likely you are to find a job. Good luck in all you do. (:

[Unregistered]

i live in Salt lake City, UTAH. i will graduate in December with Math Teaching BA. without licensure from the University of Utah :( so i am applying in march to our ARL program. i will then proceed to get a job anywhere i want. i know this because of a few tricks that everyone on this forum is missing

1.you have to be willing to coach a sport!!!! my parents were teachers in California for 25 plus years as well as my two aunts who teach there now. as you all know in your interviews one of the first things they are going to ask is "are you willing to coach any sports?" at this point you say YES. the reason i can get a job faster than anyone else is because of my athletic background. i have already coached high school volleyball as well as being a cheerleader for 2 years in college....there are more but i will stop at that.

2. another trick is to be a substitute teacher in the district you are applying for and get to know the teachers and administrators very well. when you are subbing make sure to shake hands, get emails, etc.

3. Age is another thing that is going to help me out. i am 24 years old. they are going to hire someone younger without licensure rather than someone in there 40's that just want to change careers and get tenure and teach until they die.

4. if you do not have any experience with children of the age you want to teach that is a big no no. You absolutely need to be active in some youth program whatever it may be. Some after school art program or coaching a sport or boy scouts etc...

5. if you are going through the ARL program and have a bachelors or masters in English or Art GOOD LUCK!! there are so many English teachers with licensure already it is almost impossible

i hope these pointers help those of you that have a passion for education and want to teach for the right reasons :)

[Unregistered]

i live in Salt lake City, UTAH. i will graduate in December with Math Teaching BA. without licensure from the University of Utah :( so i am applying in march to our ARL program. i will then proceed to get a job anywhere i want. i know this because of a few tricks that everyone on this forum is missing

1.you have to be willing to coach a sport!!!! my parents were teachers in California for 25 plus years as well as my two aunts who teach there now. as you all know in your interviews one of the first things they are going to ask is "are you willing to coach any sports?" at this point you say YES. the reason i can get a job faster than anyone else is because of my athletic background. i have already coached high school volleyball as well as being a cheerleader for 2 years in college....there are more but i will stop at that.

2. another trick is to be a substitute teacher in the district you are applying for and get to know the teachers and administrators very well. when you are subbing make sure to shake hands, get emails, etc.

3. Age is another thing that is going to help me out. i am 24 years old. they are going to hire someone younger without licensure rather than someone in there 40's that just want to change careers and get tenure and teach until they die.

4. if you do not have any experience with children of the age you want to teach that is a big no no. You absolutely need to be active in some youth program whatever it may be. Some after school art program or coaching a sport or boy scouts etc...

5. if you are going through the ARL program and have a bachelors or masters in English or Art GOOD LUCK!! there are so many English teachers with licensure already it is almost impossible

i hope these pointers help those of you that have a passion for education and want to teach for the right reasons :)














You're pretty c.o.c.k.y. for someone who doesn't have a job yet.