Becoming a Teacher through Alternative licensure program?

Question

I have a B.S. in Biology and M.Ed in Community Health Education. I am interested in becoming a teacher (7th-12th grade) Health Education. ...I am soo confused about the alt. teacher route, I spoke to 2 people w/the state of ohio and they provided me with different information. Does anyone have any info about this route or able to provide me with advice? I am so focused on this route because from my understanding I would be able to work in the school district and bypass the student teaching. I am not at all able to sacrifice a financial burden by quitting my current position for 6-9 months to complete the field experience through a college. Sorry, not able to at all,,,Thanks everyone

Answer 1

don't you just need to take the test to get a teaching license?...a master's in education should be sufficient to be employed unless you are changing teaching focus....i'm just beginning a master's program in education and our region is lacking highly qualified teachers.....it is too easy to get employed for some and not so easy for those who present the correct credentials....look around the country and get what you're worth.

Answer 2

Are you aware that Health teachers are almost always P.E. teachers too?  I don't know of anyone who teaches "just" health, but I may be wrong.

Answer 3

I went through alternative certification in the state of Texas.  I contacted my local education service center and went through them.  In our state, local colleges also offer an alternative route.  Maybe if you contact your state board of education that might help as well.  Good luck to you!

Answer 4

It depends on where you live what programs are available. I am originally from Maryland and we've got a program known as the Resident Teacher Program in which you can get certified in 3 months which is awesome.

the program allowed me to student teach while earning credit hours, plus they helped find me a job in an elementary school teaching the grade i wanted.

It was a bit of a financial strain -- 3 months of no money, but at the end of the training you get a $4500 stipend ($2,000 after taxes).

Answer 5

You have been misinformed if you believe you will be able to skip student teaching. It clearly states that *prior* to alternative certification you need:

(in addition to other requirements..see link)

"b) Three semester hours in teaching methods, including a supervised field experience; and"

http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/...

Ohio's alternative certification is set up so that you need multiple requirements before you are entered into the program - tests, 6 semester hours of methods and curriculum courses, other requirements.

So here is the way you can go about this - because I do believe it is possible. Instead of trying to meet the requirements yourself through the website - find a university who has an alternative route program. Often these programs are set up in cooperation with a local school district, and while you are earning your basics (at night and on weekends) they place you in a classroom because the mentoring is happening as you work. It is usually a two year program - so that after the first year...your student teaching is that classroom you are placed in. (paid teacher salary the entire time)

Here is an overview from Ohio State:

http://ehe.osu.edu/edtl/advising/med-sta...

Contact a University, not the state.