Not having a degree doesn’t need to be a roadblock to becoming a teacher in Texas. There are certainly avenues for becoming Texas teachers, even if you lack a traditional bachelor’s degree and have little or no teaching experience.
That’s because today more than ever there is an undeniable need for Career and Technical Education, or CTE, teachers. Your time in the workforce could translate into a Texas teacher certification in less time than that you would think. If you love what you do, why not share that with young people looking for their next step after high school?
Across the nation, there is an undeniable push for students to go to college, get a 4-year degree, and work in a field related to whatever they studied. But that route isn’t always for everyone. There is a documented lack of skilled workers to fill a variety of trade positions.
Sharing your passion for your area of expertise could be the first step to helping alleviate that problem and help students discover a career path that they may not have known how to access. CTE in Texas covers a variety of subject areas including: culinary arts, cosmetology, criminal justice, fire technology, welding, and auto maintenance—among others.
From elementary school on, how many kids dream of being firefighters, police officers, or chefs? You can help students realize their dreams and achieve their full potential by leveraging your real-life experience as a tool in the classroom! If you have experience in one of those fields and you are interested in education ,then it is time to take the first step to becoming a certified teacher.
The specific Trades and Industry section starts at 4:33.
So, then what do you need to do to transition into education as a CTE teacher? Your biggest asset is your work experience! If you have five years of full-time, paid experience completed within the last ten years in a CTE field, you’re well on your way to certification.
Lacking in years of experience? Fear not!
If you have attained an associate’s degree, along with two years of full-time, paid work you can still explore the Alternative Certification route! With those prerequisites you are ready to prepare for content area tests, work through a program to learn from top-notch, experienced teachers, and get into the classroom to share your knowledge.
Tempted to transition into education? Teachers in Texas earn a solid salary, have great benefits, and can look forward to a set, predictable schedule. Whether you follow a traditional path into education or take advantage of an alternative path that includes mentoring, passage of content area tests and internship teaching, you still end up in the same role. You will lead a classroom of bright, young minds and help them find their way into a rewarding career.
Everyone has a teacher who have left a lasting impression on them. We all have that adult who helped guide us to where we are today. Combining your knowledge of a CTE field and passion for teaching can leverage you into a new and exhilarating role in the classroom!
Show students that there are a variety of options out there beyond the traditional college or university path. If you are ready to explore this option further, ECAP offers a variety of programs worth exploring. Get started today to help build a better tomorrow for students who are waiting for you!
Featured Image Credit: Photo by Elvert Barnes | CC By
Topics: Becoming A Teacher
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