Pathways to Teaching
You’ve decided to become a teacher. Congratulations on choosing this rewarding career path!
ATPE has identified two paths you can follow to reach your goal. Soon you’ll reach your destination at the head of the class.
The College/University Path
Choose this route if you do not have a college degree. You should look into receiving a degree in an academic major as well as receiving teacher training in your undergraduate degree program.
The Alternative Certification Path
Go down this road if you already have a college degree. What should you look for in an alternative certification program? Look for tuition assistance, flexible scheduling so you may continue working, the availability of experienced mentors, college credit for life experience or previous training and course work, academic advising, and quality supervision.
Finding a Program and Becoming Certified
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) maintains a
list of the educator preparation programs
it has approved. The list includes university-based, post-baccalaureate and alternative/accelerated programs.
You must pass TExES/ExCET exams to become a certified teacher in Texas. Read
TExES/ExCET Exam Preparation to learn more.
Financial Aid
Whichever path you choose, seek out financial aid opportunities. Your first stop should be the financial aid office of the institution to which you are applying. Also, visit
www.sbec.state.tx.us for links to several other sources.
Federal aid is another option. Learn more at http://studentaid.ed.gov/ or by calling (800) 4-FED-AID. Also, find out if your current employer offers tuition assistance. Some school districts offer tuition assistance or scholarships to para-educators interested in becoming teachers.
Read Financial Aid Resources for more information.
Salaries in Texas
Review the current salary schedule for Texas. |
