If you’re a retiree, you have a lifetime of knowledge and experience behind you. But, when it comes to your future, you may be looking for opportunities that provide additional fulfillment.
Many pursue teaching as a second or even third career. And, as the baby boomers reach retirement age, some are finding new uses for their skills by becoming educators.
Some want a new challenge, or to keep active. While others want to give back or earn supplemental income for retirement.
As nearly half of all new teachers are prepared through alternative programs, earning an online teaching certification is a convenient way for retirees to achieve these goals and convert their professional expertise to the classroom.
Here are just a few of the reasons why an online teaching certification program may be the right choice for you.
Even though you’re retired, that doesn’t mean you don’t have a busy schedule. Whether it’s providing childcare to your grandchildren (Studies show around 40% of grandparents look after their grandchildren at least once a week), or donating your time to organizations in your community, it can be difficult even as a retiree to find the time to go back to school.
Pursuing an online teaching certification provides you with the flexibility to choose when you do your coursework. That means you can complete your teaching license requirements around your schedule, providing you with the flexibility to do the activities you love while working toward your certification.
While online instruction provides a lot of benefits as far as convenience, it’s also flexible in how the curriculum is taught.
The best online Texas teacher certification programs offer a combination of online and in-person training. This can be especially appealing to retirees, who appreciate the flexibility of online training but enjoy the personal and professional connections made during in-person training.
A combination of online and in-person training also offers these additional benefits.
You have a lifetime of experience, and school districts view that experience and professional career together as a benefit for teaching students.
Texas, in particular, is one of the fastest growing states, with student enrollment increasing more than 19% between 2002 and 2012. That’s compared to a national average of just 3.3%. Nationwide, rural areas have the most difficulty in filling teaching positions, and Texas is no different.
If you have experience in fields like science, math, special education and ESL (English as a Second Language), you will be especially sought after for your knowledge. In fact, according to a Dallas Morning News article, the number of limited-English speakers in the state has grown, yet the state has experienced a dramatic decline in the number of educators working in bilingual and ESL classes.
Online teaching certification programs provide a simple, straight-forward process to certification, whether you have a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree or no degree.
As a retiree, you may be on a fixed income. One of the best features some online teaching certification programs, such as ECAP, offer is the ability to pay later after you’ve completed your certification requirements.
At ECAP, for example, you can start training for as little as $250. And, we defer 94% of fees until you start teaching. From there, fees are split up into very manageable monthly payments.
Especially if your experience lies in a different field outside education, you may feel like you lack a network and could face an uphill battle in finding a teaching job.
With the right online teaching certification program, the opposite is true. When you enroll in a program that has a well-known reputation for putting students ahead of the curve, you also get access to the extensive network of school districts that work with that program to fill open teaching positions.
School principals are looking for retirees who are certified by an accredited organization. That’s why it’s important to choose a certification program that works with school districts to fill their staff openings. Many districts will even contact ECAP to ask for recommendations among the students currently enrolled at ECAP.
It’s understandable that you may be worried you won’t get the support you need as you learn the ropes and head back to school. However, the right program will ensure you have the support you need to be successful no matter how long it’s been since you’ve been in a classroom.
Online certification programs must provide you with a trainer adviser, as well as offer you test preparation help. However, look for a program that promotes these trainer advisers and displays their credentials, as well as a program that do not charge you extra for taking advantage of test preparation help. A test preparation course should include test coverage and practice testing so that you are prepared the best you can be.
As a retiree, you have a lifetime of experience. However, if you’re ready for a new challenge and want to use your experience to pass your knowledge on to the next generation, teaching can be a rewarding second career option.
Online teaching certification programs offer a great alternative for retirees who require flexibility, convenience and support throughout the entire process.
Topics: Teacher Training
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