The first year is so challenging. I’d never start teaching without a degree in it ahead of time.

Just get the masters if you're serious about teaching as a career. They'll walk you through licensure. I did mine through Marymount in a night/weekend cohort (I think it was every other friday for 4 hours and Saturday for 8) for 2 years. At the end I had a job, a degree, and the ability to be successful in the classroom. It was affordable when I did it, not sure how it is today. I would not recommend an online program. The biggest value I got was conversations with my classmates. That would be lost in a discussion board format.

My school didn't hire any provisional license candidates this year. We had enough with full licensure to not have to deal with it. When we did hire provisionals, it was pretty much only for SPED roles. The ones you mention (small group pullouts) are really desirable for experienced classroom teachers trying to get out of a full time classroom. You won't get hired straight into a resource role.

Anonymous wrote:I’d also just get a Master’s in Teaching. You’ll be trained properly with a student teaching internship. Most of our career switchers don’t last past the first year. I got an MAT and then took additional courses to take the Praxis for ESOL.

There are tons of career switchers still in teaching. If you can pay for an MAT, go for it, but I'm not sure it's worth the time/investment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are still looking for sped teachers in Arlington.

Or go private, no license needed.

Another option. I will look into this as well. Perhaps send me kids to private with me!

Teacher here and I recommend the private route.

Many privates, especially Catholic schools, do require certification. They’ll help you get it, though, and you can begin without it.

I can’t speak for other types of private schools, but many Catholic schools are expanding their Special Education and Resource departments to serve an ever-growing population of students who need additional support.

And, as a person who has worked in both Catholic and public schools, I can tell you that Catholic schools are often good workplaces.

I’d also just get a Master’s in Teaching. You’ll be trained properly with a student teaching internship. Most of our career switchers don’t last past the first year. I got an MAT and then took additional courses to take the Praxis for ESOL.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are still looking for sped teachers in Arlington.

Or go private, no license needed.

Another option. I will look into this as well. Perhaps send me kids to private with me!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP what do you mean by resource teacher? Also OP do you want to teach elementary or secondary? Also, what was your major when you got your bachelor's degree?

Op here-
Thanks everyone for the comments and input.

Resource teacher as in small groups in areas of reading or math… where student can have learning challenges.

I would prefer elementary students.

Bachelor’s in political science.

Those are risky positions because those teachers are the firsts to go or have their hours reduced when the budget gets tough.

If you did ever have any full-time job(s) totally at least three years, then faster and cheaper than getting Masters is to complete career switcher course. Shenandoah university has one , and there are others.

Anonymous wrote:They are still looking for sped teachers in Arlington.

Or go private, no license needed.

They are still looking for sped teachers in Arlington.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP what do you mean by resource teacher? Also OP do you want to teach elementary or secondary? Also, what was your major when you got your bachelor's degree?

Op here-
Thanks everyone for the comments and input.

Resource teacher as in small groups in areas of reading or math… where student can have learning challenges.

I would prefer elementary students.

Bachelor’s in political science.

Those specific resource teacher positions are incredibly difficult to get without an existing teachers license. Teachers looking to leave the classroom apply to those positions, and the teachers that have those positions rarely leave. In addition, those positions are not guaranteed at schools because they have to be approved by the budget office every year.

It’s more work to get licensed as an elementary teacher (additional classes/tests required) than a middle school or high school teacher. The career switcher programs are geared towards those upper level teaching positions, because the criteria is easier.

Ah ha! Yes, I noticed on the link that a previous poster posted that that certain programs endorses ms and hs. It all makes sense.

I would much prefer es by all accounts.

Thanks everyone for the plethora of info.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP what do you mean by resource teacher? Also OP do you want to teach elementary or secondary? Also, what was your major when you got your bachelor's degree?

Op here-
Thanks everyone for the comments and input.

Resource teacher as in small groups in areas of reading or math… where student can have learning challenges.

I would prefer elementary students.

Bachelor’s in political science.

Those specific resource teacher positions are incredibly difficult to get without an existing teachers license. Teachers looking to leave the classroom apply to those positions, and the teachers that have those positions rarely leave. In addition, those positions are not guaranteed at schools because they have to be approved by the budget office every year.

It’s more work to get licensed as an elementary teacher (additional classes/tests required) than a middle school or high school teacher. The career switcher programs are geared towards those upper level teaching positions, because the criteria is easier.

Anonymous wrote:OP what do you mean by resource teacher? Also OP do you want to teach elementary or secondary? Also, what was your major when you got your bachelor's degree?

Op here-
Thanks everyone for the comments and input.

Resource teacher as in small groups in areas of reading or math… where student can have learning challenges.

I would prefer elementary students.

Bachelor’s in political science.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the reply and link!

So in layman terms:
If I were to call or email a school in which there is a vacancy, provide my “resume” and interest, interview, and should there be an opening in which I am a good fit, would they offer me a provisional license? Is that how it works?

No. They can’t offer you a provisional license. You take the trainings online under the VALO tab within VDOE. Then you wait about three months to hear from them. You also need to upload your transcripts. This is for the provisional license only which lasts three years.

Curious- bc a friend I know was an IA, then they moved her to 6th grade- on a provisional license.

Maybe chances are better when you work for a school already?