Want to teach? Career-switcher program seeks applicants

The alternative-licensure program for public school teachers offered through Virginia’s Community Colleges is now registering for the next 18-week session starting in January.

The licensure program is for individuals who do not have a background in education, but are seeking the opportunity to teach in public schools. Program completers become certified to teach at the secondary level, including grades 6-12.

Besides English, social studies and physical education, some of the in-demand subject areas are

Upper-level mathematics
Physics
Earth and space science
Technical education, including computer-aided design
Business and marketing

To be eligible for the program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university and five years of work experience. The program is offered at multiple Virginia community colleges, including Tidewater Community College.

The next session begins Jan. 17 and concludes May 13. The enrollment deadline is Nov. 18. As part of their application, prospective students must successfully complete the Praxis II examination in the subject they wish to teach, as well as the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA).

“Results take three weeks, so time is of the essence,” said Kimberly M. Ogden, who directs the program, known as EducateVA, at the Community College Workforce Alliance in Richmond.

If you miss this deadline, applications for the Fall 2017 session are due by May 17.

Webinars are held each month for prospective students. Register by visiting educateva.com. All of the webinars are from noon to 1 p.m. on these dates:

Oct. 19
Nov. 16
Dec. 14
Jan. 18

Each 18-week program includes six Saturday sessions, which are taught by distance learning at the Advanced Technology Center on TCC’s Virginia Beach Campus. Students also take six online courses and are assigned a 40-hour field internship.

The cost is $3,900. The program is eligible for the New Virginia Economy Workforce Credential Grant, which reduces the cost to $1,300.

“Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk and Hampton are hiring our program completers, so I have no doubt there is a need for this program in Hampton Roads,” Ogden said.

For more information, visit educateva.com. You can also contact Ogden at kogden@ccwa.vccs.edu or 804-523-5671.