Should alternative certification get teaching jobs before graduates of state approved teaching colleges?

Answer 1

NO! I worked in a school my first year teaching where a psychology major was getting her masters in education and was teaching while she did it. SInce she had 15 credits toward her masters already she made a lot more money than I did and it was her first year! I am certified in 3 areas and have a dual degree, and to top it off I was teaching Autism at the time. It is a low blow when someone with any old degree is paid to do a job I trained 5 years for. What if a teacher decided to enroll in med school and decided to practice while in school, would you let that Dr. treat you???? People need to realize teaching is an art form, not everyone can do it, and it is not easy.

Answer 2

Frankly, it depends upon the subject. No surprise there.

I teach physics and went through the alternative certification approach here in Texas. That was 15 years ago, and I can make a few observations. For quantitative courses like Math and Science--it's probably best to have a degree in the field you're going to teach. You have to have a real depth of comprehension about the subject in order to teach it. Period. At the same time, I know some teachers who have Education degrees and truly are fine teachers. Really. But, in fariness, they cannot always answer the questions that students pose. They sometimes lack depth and understanding of the more complex issues that sometimes go along with science (like explaining how & why to watch out for "pseudo-science").

Also, don't "knock" the alternative certification in general. One still has to get around 36 hours of college credit (in Texas anyway) to qualify for certification. Thats about another year of college coursework! So, the alternative pathway is not some "second-rate", cheap way of becoming a teacher. Know also, that after being certified, one has to accrue a yearly number of outside professional development hours to remain employed (again, that's here in Texas, anyway).

I can't, and won't, speak for other disciplines, but as far as math and science go, I'll stand by having a full BS (or even an MS) as opposed to a BA in Education. I have a PhD, and am grateful for this since I also teach AP courses, and can bring a LOT of personal industry-related work experience to my classes. I wouldn't trade that, and I'm sure neither would my students, for anything.

Just something to think about.

Answer 3

I think it depends upon the subject area.

As a teacher, I have plenty of training in human growth/ development/psychology, behavior management, testing, data analysis, the pedagogy of teaching and so on...that other majors typically do not have to have. Thus I feel that I am at an advantage in dealing with students, parents, and curriculum/school requirements overall.

However, I believe that in certain areas (math, science, English, etc.) in high school, it is better to have someone with a degree in that particular subject area with additional coursework in teaching methods.

I am all for alternative routes into the teaching profession as long as the person is committed for the right reasons and is not looking for an "easy alternative" to going through all of the traditional methods.

The one thing that does irk me however, is the implied message that "anyone can teach" and therefore it is a profession up for grabs. Many people still believe that teaching is an easy job and all you do is "babysit" and pass out papers. I await the day when we are valued and respected as educated professionals!!!

Answer 4

If I'm understanding the question, it really depends on the candidate. You can have one person come in with a teaching degree and their personality just isn't a good match for the job in question. You could have someone with alternative certification come in, great personality, lots more experience with kids than the one with the teaching degree. Who will be better for the job? The one who has the teaching degree or the one who has the experience and personality for the job?

A degree itself doesn't mean much. There are plenty of crummy teachers out there with teaching degrees and plenty of amazing teachers out there without teaching degrees. Teaching degrees just mean a minimum standard for teaching in public schools has been met. It doesn't mean that that person is better than someone without.

Answer 5

It depends on what you mean by alternative certification. I got my bachelor's in English and my master's in teaching, and my route was considered alternative. So, for example, if both of us went into an interview, I'd have more experience in Language Arts than the person with a bachelor's in language arts education because that person only had to take about 20 credits for his or her endorsement. Personally, I always think the "alternative" route is best, because it allows people with more experience the chance to get their master's in education specifically. And, hey, I got my current job over teaches with their bachelor's and a few years' experience. It also depends on the schools that you went to (I went to a private university that's known for it's awesome ed. program).

Answer 6

No. I have met several of these alternative certified teachers who lack in best practices knowledge. As in the military people teach as if they were teaching military people.

Answer 7

talk with somebody at a close-by college and discover out what the standards are, i.e how long will they provide you to get the PhD? And in case you do no longer decide to flow directly to get a PhD, it particularly is beneficial to think again so as which you will get a brilliant activity, no longer basically filling in with the aid of fact no one else grow to be obtainable. do no longer enable the shortcoming of further training carry you returned if it particularly is what you particularly need. discover the college which will hire you till you will get further training, yet delight in the activity you have on a thank you to that purpose. Getting linked is often approximately using. they don't understand you like the activity till you prepare, so do it in the previous somebody else gets the activity you like. And in case you're refused, ask why, and then prepare at different places. you could ask at a profession counseling place of work on your interior of reach college; they have distinctive counsel on a thank you to apply your degree.

Answer 8

The best person for every teaching position!!! Our children deserve it.