Alternative Teacher Certification Programs in Georgia
The push for alternative certification routes in Georgia got its start in the late 90s when the student population in Northwest Georgia began to grow faster than the rate of new teacher graduates, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Education. Read on to learn about how to become a teacher in Georgia without an education degree.
GATAPP Programs
To address those teacher shortages, the Northwest Regional Educational Service Agency worked with the Georgia Board of Education to develop an alternative certification pathway. That program was the precursor to the state’s present-day program, the Georgia Teacher Alternative Preparation Program or GA TAPP.
Designed for career switchers with a bachelor’s degree, GA TAPP programs provide an internship and induction program that lead to a renewable teaching certificate. At the beginning of the century, one-third of the nation’s new teachers were leaving after three years. Today, there are more than a dozen regional educational service agencies throughout the state, which offer alternative paths to certification. Exact requirements vary by program but all involve supervision by a team of qualified mentors called the Candidate Support Team (CST). The CST evaluates program participants and recommends appropriate paths through which participants can acquire core competencies.
Another alternative preparation option is the Duke University-based Georgia Teaching Fellows program, currently accepting applications for its Augusta, Southwest GA, and metro Atlanta locations. This program requires participants to commit to teaching three years in a high-need school district. The program starts with an intensive, six-week summer training institute to prepare fellows for the reality of the classroom. Fellows then teach full-time while completing coursework in the evenings.
There is also the Georgia State Woodrow Wilson Fellows program, that annually sponsors about 30 fellows who will commit to teaching in high-need secondary schools.
Top Online Schools for Alternative Teaching Degrees In Georgia
The state of Georgia not only values the enrichment of their students, but also the teaching faculty that have taken up the task of educating them. If you are seeking a way to join that group of educators, one viable route is through online certification.
- University of GeorgiaThe University of Georgia is home to a well-regarded school of education online. An appealing factor to potential students is the close to sixty thousand alumni, some who still maintain close ties to the school and help advise other students.
- Walden University Walden University online programs in education can be a great help to those looking to attain teaching degrees while balancing other duties. In addition to up to date curriculum, the school also provides a series of webinars for their students’ betterment.
- Valdosta State University Online degree programs at Valdosta State University are becoming more amenable to students seeking alternative means to start teaching. One way that this is established is with the school’s own specialized online collaborative learning management system and student support teams.
- Grand Canyon University Online Grand Canyon University has gained attention due to their online degree programs for teaching. These courses have kept the school in a competitive position with others over the years. Prospective GCU students may find their tuition costs to be on par with state averages.
Work in Education with Georgia Teacher Certification
Students in a Georgia alternative teacher certification program should be prepared to utilize a variety of educational sources to learn about new developments in the field of education and figure out the current trends. Sources that alternative teaching students should be comfortable with include professional literature and reputable Internet sites. In order to create effective teaching plans and curricula, alternative certification students should anticipate learning how to use a wide range of technology and resources in their educational planning. These skills and a strong knowledge of the educational field as a whole can prepare you to take the GACE certification test.
Increase Your Impact in Education
These educational plans and instructional tips should reflect the idea that all students are capable of learning when given the right tools and method of instruction. To reach this goal, you may need to adapt their curricula and teaching methods to suit different classes and individual students. Another important part of a certification program is self-reflection; at each step of the educational process, it’s crucial for you to be able to evaluate the success or failure of yours curriculum, look at how your instructional practices affect their students, and figure out how to encourage greater academic achievement in your students. Throughout the course of their career, students should be able to identify areas that need improvement and address those areas with a quality improvement plan.
