How to start a career in teaching in Texas area?

Question

I really want to go back to school and obtain a license for teaching. My area of interest is English (nouns, verbs, ya know?) so I'm guessing around 6 or 7 grade because I don't want to teach other courses like most elementary schools require their teachers to. Only problem is that I've been out of school for 8 years and I would really prefer an online course. Does anyone have any ideas on where to start?

Answer 1

The major metropolitan areas (DFW, Houston, Austin, etc.) will surely have a district that needs teachers.  You may have to teach in an area that you are not necessarily interested in just to get your foot in the door.  If you want elementary school, some schools have self contained classrooms in the lower elem. and change classes in the upper elem. In order to make yourself more marketable, you will probably want to get your 4-8 Generalist Certification (TExES test).  This is certify you for any subject in grades 4-8... get picky about what you will teach after you have had a year or two experience. Also, you will want to get your ESL certification - it isn't hard, but most districts won't look at you if you aren't ESL.

Answer 2

well what is your degree in? where ever you teach (public, private, charter) they are going to want to see that you have a background that shows you're qualified to teach it.  If you already have a degree and simply want to get your teacher certification then yes there are online programs BUT you will still have to find a school that will let you "student teach".  you cannot get certified without being in the classroom (even if you take an online course)  you can do iteachtexas which is an online cert. program but you will still need to teach in a classroom (for a year) before you can be fully cert.  I would suggest going to a district that has a cert program, therefore you can be a teacher, get paid and get your cert at the same time.  Normally the cert programs are around $2000-$2500 but if you go thru a district then you can have it payroll deducted until its paid........but i do agree that you can work at a charter school without certification (although your pay will be lower)

Answer 3

Try a private or charter school.  Many of them don't actually require you to get certified.  And often times, they like people who have worked in industry and then come back to teach.  There are many here in Texas.  You should be able to find them by using Google.

Answer 4

I'm not sure if they offer an online version, but my husband did the alternative teacher certification, which costs about $4,500 overall (w/o financial aid, I'm not sure if they do offer financial aid since it's continuing education).

He started classes in March 2007, and by that August he was teaching on a probationary basis (his teaching job was his "internship").

Once you certify in teaching, it's pretty easy to test and certify in other areas as well. Because English isn't a very "high-needs" area like math and science are, it would probably make you more marketable to test and certify in other subject areas that may interest you.