VA teachers: Recertification
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
I am a former elementary specialist teacher who is looking to return to teaching within the next 1-2 years. Though I had close to 140 recertification points, I neglected to find out that those points, also expire within 5 years, so I am starting from scratch. (AAAHH!!!) I plan to take 6 credit hours in order to earn the needed 180 points.
I have looked at various online options. PBS teacherline would run me about $500 for 2 credit hours, though I did not see a course that interested me there. I am not opposed to taking a class in person as well as my youngest is starting K, and I work only part-time. Since my Bachelor's and Master's Degrees are both from out of state, I am wondering what the more affordable options are in VA? (offering resident tuition rates, etc.) Since I have a Master's I do not need to take courses in my field, which opens up a lot of options. |
Anonymous
|
Don't just look at the recert requirements. Consider, carefully, whether any school would actually hire you if you simply go on-line and have had no other experience in the last several years. Attending at least part of the program in a traditional classroom session would give you some renewed contacts, be more stimulating, and be received better by principals and admins. In this market, a "former" licensed teacher is no different from any other unemployed job-seeker.
|
Anonymous
| Thankfully, due to my field, I have been working with children since leaving public school teaching, just in a slightly different capacity (preschool teaching, choir directing job, run an early childhood business). It has left me with no resume gap. I agree though, taking at least one of my classes at George Mason, or the like, would be good for connections, and be more stimulating. That is a great piece of advice. If I can find a Fall course, or Spring course that can work with my work and pickup schedule, I am definitely interested. I just checked today, and see I missed some great summer programs at Mason. |
Anonymous
| UVA has some great online options. I think that they run through the Curry School now. They also offer classes in Falls Church. |
Anonymous
The UVA Northern Virginia Center has some great education classes, and most of them are offered in the evenings. Its a pretty good selection: http://www.scps.virginia.edu/programs#complete-a-certificate-series |
Anonymous
| NOVA has online classes that will count toward certification. They aren't necessarily the most stimulating classes, but they're cheap and you only have to be on campus a few times a semester to take exams. |
Anonymous
|
I've taken some of these courses:
http://www.canter.net/ |