Disclaimer: The
following are my opinions of using an alternative program to become a certified
teacher in Texas. The program I used, Texas
Teachers, is not paying or endorsing me in any way to say any of the following.
My opinions do not affiliate with the program’s opinions, and this post is ONLY
to encourage those who may be thinking of getting certified to teach using an
alternative program. This post has been written as a way to answer any questions
that you may have about alternative teaching programs, and is also part of my
testimony. For more information about Texas Teachers, please check out their
website directly for the specifics and details that I may have missed.
I wanted to share my experience using Texas Teachers,
because over the past few days, so many people have reached out to me to ask
about the program. I want to share as many details as I can to help those who
may need more information about the program that isn’t mentioned on their
website.
My Story:
When I decided that I wanted to become a teacher, I was a
junior in college majoring in Communications, and had no plans on changing my
major. My plan was to get certified after college using an Alternative
Certification program. Sometimes plans take a long time to actually happen.
That was my reality. Case in point, I
graduated, moved to the DFW area, gained a job at a preschool (no certification
required), and got married. Then, in the first year of marriage, all the talk
of me becoming a certified teacher was blurred through fears, doubt, laziness,
and lack of motivation. I was a newlywed enjoying my marital bliss, content
with my job, my life, etc. But really, underneath the positive lens that my
eyes and heart sees things, I knew I wasn’t fulfilling all that I was called to
do. The weight of knowing that I was capable of so much more grew on me, and
eventually, finally, I made the decision to get the ball rolling. I decided to
sign up for Texas Teachers to get my alternative certification because I had
two friends that were going through the program, and they recommended it. That
was really the only information I had. I didn’t spend hours researching
different programs, and just sort of jumped into what was being presented to me
through my friends. My journey will probably look different than others, but I
did not complete the program as fast as I would have originally planned. My
dream to become a certified teacher started almost 7 years ago, and I am just
now living out those dreams. I’m going to share my thoughts, opinions, and the
timeline that it took me to complete Texas Teachers. Hopefully this helps
answer any questions you may have about getting certified to teach through an alternative
program.
The People:
There are two kinds of people in this program, at least that
I encountered. There are the ones who are super organized, take their
generalists test a few weeks into the program, and already have interviews
lined up. They are the first ones to speak up when asked a question, have the
perfect resumes already filled out, and have been subbing for a while. These
people unintentionally made me feel SO inadequate. I felt so behind, not
together, and lacking in so many ways. Despite my feelings that I had to conquer,
these people are necessary. They somehow push you to do more, even if they do
slightly get on your nerves (lol, just trying to be honest here).
Then there are the people who join the program after working
in the business world for 20 plus years, and have more experience working in
the real world than you have in your little pinky. They are ready for a career
change, and you find yourself sitting next to some pretty diverse people. They
are necessary because they remind you it’s never too late to chase a dream, change
your career, or start a career without any previous experience in it.
I felt like I fell
into the middle of those two groups. I wasn’t fresh out of college, having
worked at a preschool for at least two years at this point, but I also didn’t
have an awesome resume built up with countless contacts and experience in a
middle school classroom. Whoever you encounter in the program, don’t compare
yourself to them. Yes, they may have been in a school district building
contacts and experience, but that doesn’t mean you are any less. And yes, you
may have to sit next to the person that has a lifetime of knowledge, but remind
yourself that if they can do something new, so can you. The right opportunity
to teach will open up for you. You are needed. You matter! Despite your age,
background, experience, or timeline.
The Time Frame:
Texas Teachers does not have a strict time frame. I began the
program in April of 2012. During that time, I had to complete online training, reading,
quizzes, and assignments. I became certified (passing my Generalist 4-8 test)
in August of 2014. I was hired in August of 2015 at the school I teach at now
(Praise the Lamb!). Once my first year is complete, I will be officially done
with the program. Ideally, you take the trainings, take your generalist exam
(and pass), then begin looking for a job. Once you find a job, you fill out an
application on the Texas Teachers website, and then begin Intern Projects
throughout your first year. Hopefully, you’re timeframe will go by much faster
than mine did, since the MAIN reason it took me so long was because of fear. I
will address more about fear at the end of this post!
The Cost:
When you sign up, you have to pay $300 as a deposit. The program
itself is roughly under $4,000, and you do not have to pay that until you begin
your first year of teaching. If for some reason you pay the $300 initial fee,
take the trainings, and then decide not to go through with getting certified,
you are not obligated to repay the $4K. Your repayment does not begin until you
begin teaching. So in my case, I paid the $300 in April of 2012, took the
trainings, waited a year to take my test (more on that later), and then waited
another year before getting hired on to teach. Now, in 2015, I am just now
paying back the program fee (they take it directly from my paycheck during the
first year until it is paid back), and that’s it.
The Training:
There are two options when it comes to training. Option 1 is
that you can do the entire training online, at your own time. There is not a
deadline that the online training has to be completed by. Option 2 is that you
can do half of the training online on your own time, and the other half of the
training face to face at a designated time and place. I went with Option 2,
knowing that I am more of a hands on learner. If I remember correctly, I had 6
Saturday trainings that lasted from 8am-3pm in Arlington. Yes, it was a sacrifice
to give up my Saturdays for two months, but I was encouraged through the
speakers, the activities in the training, and the people.
The Exams:
I chose to take the Generalist 4-8 exam. I have always been
drawn to this age group, and spent time serving students in these grades in a
church. Taking your generalist exam is one of the most important factors in
becoming a certified teacher (duh!), but for some people, the test is not so
easy. I managed to pass the first time I took the test, but if you are in a
time crunch, I would suggest taking the test as soon as possible. It cost
around $150 (more or less), and this charge is not covered by Texas Teachers.
If you fail it the first time, you may take it again, but you will have to pay
the full price again, so I would make sure you have studied before re-taking
this. Sidenote: I used certifyteacher.com as a study guide. I think the cost
there is $60 for the online study material, and it helped a lot. I also bought
the Generalist 4-8 Study book at Half Price Books for $30. The next exam I took
was the ESL test. This is also $150. Again, I would find good study material
before taking the exam. I am thankful that I had a parent in the district I was
working in let me borrow some ESL study material for free. The PPR exam is the
last test you will need to take. Going through Texas Teachers, you cannot take this
exam until you have begun teaching on a Probationary Certificate (you are on
probation until your first year is complete). I have not taken this test yet,
but will in the spring.
The Support:
Texas Teachers does a fabulous job in offering support. They
have online help, personal to answer phone calls, and representatives that you
can speak with face to face. During my training, I didn’t have a lot of
questions, so I didn’t utilize any of the help they offered. If you have questions,
concerns, or just want more information, they are there to give you all of
that! Being in my first year of teaching, I have been assigned a Mentor through
the program. This person visits you in your classroom three times throughout
your first year to provide feedback, direction, and offer help. They also host
a Teacher Job Fair exclusively for Texas Teacher Interns (you’re considered an
intern as soon as you join the program). I attended this in July, and I am so
thankful I did. I had never been to a job fair before, but I knew to dress
professionally, bring multiple resumes (I had 30), and sell yourself. I spoke
with several school districts, and was even offered an interview that afternoon
at the fair. The district I work for now was one of the last districts I spoke
with that afternoon. When you attend a job fair, especially a teacher job fair,
be sure to apply online to as many districts as you can (very time consuming)
ahead of the fair. Most representatives asked first if you have already
applied, and if you hadn’t, they will direct you to do that first. Also, be
open minded. I had never considered the district I am in now, until I saw them
at the fair and realized that they met several of the criteria that I was
looking for. Remember, you are selling yourself just as much as the district is
selling himself. Schools need YOU just as much as you need THEM!
Your First Year:
During your first year of teaching, your assigned Mentor
will come to your room to observe you three times. I have already been observed
twice, and both times went really well. Don’t be nervous about someone coming
to observe you teach. You already took the training, gave your time, energy,
and effort to teach. Now is the time to show off your hard work. Be open minded
to criticism, because being a first year teacher is not a walk in the park. You
need the support of a mentor to help walk you through areas that need
improvement, as well as areas that deserve a pat on the back. My mentor is completely
lovely, and I always look forward to seeing her. She makes me feel awesome
about the work I am doing so far, and provides me with great ideas on ways I
can enhance my teaching methods. During your first year, you will have to
complete some projects online, as well as take a few quizzes. Again, the time
in which you want to do this is up to you, but it must be completed before the
year is over. The last and final step of the program is taking the PPR exam. Like
I mentioned earlier, I will be taking this test in the spring.
Final Thoughts:
If you are considering getting certified to teach, do it!
Don’t let fear keep you from obtaining what you have been called to do. Let my
story of becoming a certified teacher encourage you. Yes, it took me WAY longer
than necessary to become a certified teacher, but I am thankful that God makes
all things work together for good (Romans 8:28). If you have the desire,
believe that you will be equipped for this! I posted on Instagram a few weeks
ago, but I wanted to share this again on here. “All fear I ever had towards
this job has dwindled. Fear was the biggest reason it took me so long to jump
into teaching: fear of failure, fear of not being liked, fear of doing a bad
job, etc. I have had nothing but good reports, observations, and encouragement.
Praise the Lord! Everyone was right, God would put me in the school I am
supposed to be in. I totally believe that. All of this to say…He is faithful!” I hope I have answered any questions you may have about the
program. Let me know if you have any other questions, and I would be happy to
help. Also, feel free to share this with someone you know who may need a boost
of encouragement in wanting to teach. Living out my dreams of being a teacher
was definitely worth every tear, hour, and sacrifice it took to go through with
getting certified through an alternative teaching program.
-Becky
