NY state Alternative Teaching Certification info/advice (Cooperstown, Hammond: fingerprints, credit)

[homeward bound]

I'm intent on becoming a elementary teacher--1st grade, probably--after 20+ years teaching college. We're going to re-settle upstate, probably in the Cooperstown area, but as far west as Hammondsport is a possibility, too. Definitely the central/Finger Lakes part of the state, and definitely within 3 or 4 years. (Sooner if finances allow!)

I've skimmed through the state's website on alternative certification, but it seems pretty vague.

Any specifics/advice anyone can give about getting alternative certification?

I'm of course willing to take all the tests I need to, but I'd really like to avoid/minimize going back to college. I've had enough of college, obviously, and we can't afford to have me not working. Is there a way to get Alt. Cert. that doesn't require me to go back to grad school?

Also: This may sound crass, but as an experienced & accomplished college teacher and as a male, would I as an Alt. Cert. applicant have some advantages over other elem. ed. applicants, or does Alt. Cert. weaken your odds of being hired no matter what?

Thanks in advance for any & all help.

[Sgoldie]

Here's a funny story - A friend who was previously a college professor also decided he wanted to teach in the public schools. He took the LSAT test, and the Content Specialty test, and did the School Violence Certification, and the Fingerprints. He had 30 credits in the subject he wanted to teach but needed a minimum of 12 education classes and an edu psych as well as student teaching for a semester with requisite video tape class demo.

The funny part was in some of his required classes he was taught by a professor who was using a book he (the prospective teacher and former professor) had written, although he could not use that or his previous experience as qualification.

[homeward bound]

Youch! I'm wondering....

The state says it has an Alternative Cert. program that should have given him a lot more credit and even waived some of the requirements you list him meeting. Did he not pursue this approach?

Does the state not grant Alt. Cert. very often even though it says it has that route?

Was it a local situation where a specific school district he was applying to didn't want to grant Alt. Cert. and made him go the customary route?

Anybody out there know ANYbody who went the Alt. Cert. route to get into NY state public schools? I really want to teach at the elementary level, but really need to avoid going back to school myself to do so. We just wouldn't be able to afford me not having a salary/paying tuition again.

Thanks!

[D&T]

http://www.esc.edu/esconline/online2...escforyou.html

Try checking out the above website for Empire State College in NY. They give credit for life experience and I'm sure they could help direct you and aid you in finding answers to your questions.

Good luck to you, and sorry I can't help you more!

[Sgoldie]

Yes, Empire State does have a program. It's one year of classes at home (I believe) and two years working as a teacher in the schools under guidance. They will only place you in urban schools and the list of certification areas are confined to high demand subjects such as math and science (and a few others).

The good part of your situation is that you already have a master's which is required within three years of first position. If you're in-state contact your local BOCES they can evaluate for certification and tell you what else you need. There is a fee for this service. You don't need to be in a program to take the LSAT tests and others (which are all pretty easy IMO). You will need 30cr in your subject area and 12 (?) credits in classes titled 'education' as well as a semester (unpaid) student teaching, or, a paid full-time classroom assignment in a public school in the subject and at the grade level you want to be certified in. Better check for sure.

[homeward bound]

Thanks very much for the info! Feels good to get the new-life ball really rolling.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is BOCES?

[Sgoldie]

BOCES are regional county public school centers that offer career education at the high school level; hairdressing, auto mechanics, nurse's aide and things of that sort. Kids are pulled from different area schools for half the day, usually it's the ones at risk of flunking out. They also offer teacher enrichment training programs and other things they sell to local schools.

Sometimes they will have a special full-time academic section for kids who have been thrown out of other schools.

Please see your other post about 'leaving N Calif'. Having realized it was you on both I left further info there for you.

[KarenBo]

Originally Posted by homeward bound

Anybody out there know ANYbody who went the Alt. Cert. route to get into NY state public schools? I really want to teach at the elementary level, but really need to avoid going back to school myself to do so. We just wouldn't be able to afford me not having a salary/paying tuition again.

Thanks!

I became a teacher through the NYC teaching fellows program, but that program is aimed at people who don't have an education degree. I received a partially subsidized Master's in Education through the fellows two year program. I student taught for 1 Summer, then I was placed in a NYC High school where I taught full-time while taking classes towards my Master's degree at night. I had a positive experience but I know people who dropped out of the program for various reasons.

I'm not sure about the other alternative certification programs, but in general, it seems that these programs are aimed at staffing hard to staff schools or positions (poor/high needs areas like special education).

I would check the NY state website for certification info. Most alt programs include master's programs in education.

Hope that info helps!

[I-Mamma]

I suggest that you write directly to the district in which you wish to be employed. Most NY schools have online sights where they accept applications. I would imagine that, should you make your case clear, a principal will sponsor you and you can get certified while in the classroom. You sound like a gem.

I am a former Teach for America Teacher, and received my certificate the alternative route. The district sponsored me, I took a simple test, and viola~! I had the certificate. It was good for two years, then I had to take another test and submit a vidoe of me teaching. (which I failed to do because I thought I wouldn't teach again and so now I am trying to get it renewed)

Many of my colleagues were coming from the professional arena to be teachers, none of whom were certified.

Good luck~!

[homeward bound]

Thanks for the advice, I-Mamma! This is very reassuring--would help us zero in on places where we'd like to live rather than throw out the big net and see what we snag.

Best of luck in your own teaching venture!