Teaching as a Second Career
How do I move from another career into teaching?
Second career teachers are often some of the best teachers in the field. However, when you switch from another career, you'll still need to satisfy the credential requirements for your state, which often means going back to school. Many states offer alternative teacher certification programs for people who have bachelor's degrees in the subject they will teach, but lack the required courses for certification.
In some programs, provisional licensure allows second career teachers to begin teaching immediately and after working under the close supervision of experienced educators for one or two years while taking education courses, they receive a full credential. Other programs allow college graduates who do not meet licensure requirements to take only those courses that they lack, and then become licensed, which may take only one or two semesters of full-time study. Teachers who need credentials may enter programs that grant a master's degree in education, as well as a credential.
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Can I teach with an emergency credential?
Because of critical teacher shortages, some states extend temporary and emergency licenses that bypass state licensing requirements to people with bachelor's degrees. Emergency credentials are often granted to individuals teaching in high-need subject areas, such as math, science, special education, or bilingual education, or for high-need geographic areas such as urban schools. To find out if your state allows such licenses, check out your state's department of education website.
How can I transition from the military into a career in teaching?
Retired military or civilian military personnel can obtain the education and credentials they need to become teachers through the Troops to Teachers program, sponsored by the Department of Defense. For more information, contact Troops to Teachers or call them at (800) 452-6616 to learn how you might take advantage of this invaluable program.
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What are some other ways I can enter the teaching profession?
In order to recruit teachers, many states will pay for your teacher education in exchange for a commitment to teaching in an inner-city school that is experiencing a teacher shortage. Check with your state's department of education for details.
The Teach for America program places college graduates in two-year positions in high-need urban and rural public schools. Teach for America is looking for prospective teachers in bilingual education, science and mathematics, and is especially interested in recruiting people of color. For more information, contact Teach for America at (212) 279-2080 to learn how you might take advantage of this invaluable program.