Alternative Teacher Certification in Elementary Education
If you already have a bachelor’s degree and want to become an elementary school teacher, entering an alternative certification program may be ideal for you. In these programs you skip over prerequisite and general education courses and get right into your teaching classes, saving you time and money.
This page provides you with everything you need to know about alternative certification programs so you can decide if it’s the right path for you.
To enroll in an alternative certification program, you must have a Bachelor’s degree. This allows you to skip over prerequisite and general education courses to get right into your teaching classes. Your curriculum may explore child development, teaching theories, ways of learning, and teaching standards in your state. As you proceed through your program, you may take courses like Human Growth and Development, Teaching and Learning, and Principles of Education. After completing your core courses, you may move into advanced coursework like School Curriculum and Instruction, Assessment of the School Environment and courses that cover teaching methods for different subjects.
Requirements for Alternative Teacher Certification in Elementary Education
By far, practical teaching experience is one of the most important parts of your training. From the very beginning of your alternative certification program, you may spend time in different elementary school classrooms. By the end of your program, you should be teaching courses every day under the supervision of a licensed teacher.
Alternative programs tend to be considerably shorter than other education programs, so you may save money on your tuition that way. However, you may still wish to apply for scholarships to offset your educational costs. Through the federal government, you may be able to apply for T.E.A.C.H. grants and student loan repayment options. If you plan on teaching in a Montessori school using Montessori methods, you may apply for scholarships through the American Montessori Society.
After you get a teaching license in your state of residence, you may be able to start a career as an elementary teacher. Per O*Net, elementary school teachers earn an average salary of $53,590 per year. Job openings in this field are expected to increase by 12% between 2012 and 2022 (O*Net, 2012).
Education is truly one of the fields that may shape the future of your city, your state, and the entire United States. By attending an alternative certification program, you may put your education to use and learn how to effectively teach students of different ages. The unique knowledge you bring to the table may make the education field stronger as a whole and help you become a leader in your school.
Are you ready to take your place in the education field? If so, it may be time to look at our school listings below and contact alternative certification programs in elementary education near you to get more information.
