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

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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)