Amber Said:

Can I do the student teaching portion of my teacher credential program at night as I'm a working adult?

We Answered:

Student teaching is impossible to do at night. You have to take a leave of absence from your job. Look at it this way....teaching is a life career. Whatever job you have now isn't as important as a CAREER job. Just quit, find a job working at night (that's what I did), and then enjoy the fact that you are a professional with a degree.

Tony Said:

What are the requirements for receiving a a teaching cridental in Virgina?

We Answered:

I am a teacher in Virginia and recently obtained my license after career changing out of health care administration. Virginia and all states have education and assessment requirements. From a bachelors perspective (meaning you majored in something in undergrad and concentrated on meeting educational requirements for teaching) you would need some minimal coursework in general subjects (math, history, art, English, science, etc), would need classes in child development, assessment, and other teaching foundational classes, and then you would need to take the PRAXIS tests.

I went a slightly different route and went straight for a Master of Arts in Teaching. They helped to make sure I had the right undergrad classwork (some of which I had to do at community colleges), gave me the right teacher classes, made sure I took the technology, child abuse, and reading requirements of the state, and helped me to take the PRAXIS tests required for elementary school teaching. Some of my upper grade colleagues had additional undergrad coursework and PRAXIS testing.

Virginia also offers career switching guidelines that help negate some of the above.

Here is the website:
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/newvdoe/te…

Here is the one specific to new licenses:
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/newvdoe/li…

There is reciprocity if you are coming from another state and are already endorsed to teach in certain areas.

Good luck!

Victor Said:

Can I satisfy my four month student teaching requirement - unpaid - while maintaining eligibility for unemploy?

We Answered:

I doubt it. One of the requirements for unemployment is that you are available for work. If you are student teaching,you aren't available for work.
But,you could always call and ask them.

Allison Said:

Should I clear my CA teaching credential?

We Answered:

One of the problems you are going to have is that, CA is laying off teachers. You may want to consider movie out of state.

Marc Said:

what is the difference between a teaching credential, license, and a certificate?

We Answered:

there is no difference.

To teach you need state certification. (often called a credential or state license) Most people earn their certification after completing their BA (or BS). After your Bachelor's degree - You'd simply need to do the following:

1. Enter a teacher certification program. This can be traditional (completed before you get a teaching job) or alternative (there are programs that allow you to earn your credential *while* teaching - very intensive...usually only offered in areas of high need - science is one of those) This program supplies you with your methods and curriculum courses (the *how* to teach)

2. Pass various state tests - Your subject matter certification, basic skills test and often states require a language aquisition certification test

3. Do your student teaching.

Those three things are the purpose of the teacher credentialing programs. There are no positions in public schools without those three (NCLB rules)

Once the program is finished, the school petitions the state on your behalf for your credential. I renew my credential every five years - We have education requirements (certain number of units or hours of continuing education) as well as a fee to renew.

Here is the exact document for elementary in Ca:

http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leafle…

good luck!