Alternative route to become a teacher in Illinois?

Question

Does anyone know anything about Alternative route to become a teacher in Illinois? As far as I know if you have more than 5 years of work experience related to your bachelor's degree than you can take alternative route to become a teacher but exactly how? does anyone know step by step?

Answer 1

When discussing alternate programs with teacher candidates - one thing always comes up. A misconception.

The misconception is that the routes are a shortcut into the profession. All the same requirements are there - its just that you do them while you have a classroom. This means classes at nights and weekends. I have found that my alternative route teachers that I mentor have a harder time than traditional entrance teachers - they are more stressed and have a higher work load. teaching a full day, then classes at night - leaves little time for classroom planning - and a new teacher *needs* that time to plan.

If you do decide to do this: You will need to do these things:

basic skills test - cbest

subject matter verification tests

classes on methods and curriculum design

student teaching

often a mentorship with a portfolio product

In a traditional entrance - the candidate finishes these items before looking for a job. The alternative entrance allows you to complete the last four while you have a classroom - often you have two years to do so - and the university or district you are interning with coordinates all the requirements.

Here is the overview for your state:

http://www.isbe.state.il.us/certificatio...

The best way to start is to contact the distrcit you'd like to work for to see if they support alternate entrance - ask them if they have a teaching intern program for alternate entry. Often only the larger urban districts have this - (no need to offer if you have enough teachers) If they do not you can contact the local university - they always have these - they team with the larger districts to provide teachers.

Finally - I have found the state document that lists all alternative programs - you will find that there are a ton for secondary education math, science and special ed - the traditional need areas -=- you might have to search a bit for elementary school.

http://www.isbe.state.il.us/profprep/PDF...

good luck to you!