Certified to teach p1 - Military Transition - Military Times EDGE

When George Amonette left the Army in 2001, he took a full-time job, studied for a professional certificate and enrolled in night classes — all for the privilege of drawing so-so pay and dodging spitballs from 7-year-olds.

That’s how bad he wanted to teach.

Today Amonette, 50, heads up a room full of second-graders at Huie Elementary School in Clayton County, Ga., where he’s glad to be giving back to the community.

Whether by passion, vocation or love of the challenge, those who want to teach must cross several hurdles to earn the right. The typical path to a classroom command post begins with a bachelor’s degree in education, followed by teacher certification. For those leaving the military, this can set a high bar. You may not have a degree, and if you do, it’s probably not in education.

Alternative certification

Amonette earned his stripes through the Georgia Teacher Alternative Preparation Program (Georgia TAPP). Under this program, he was able to start teaching straightaway, learning the ropes in the classroom while completing required coursework over two years of night classes.

Georgia TAPP is open to people who have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university but who did not complete teacher-education requirements as part of their degrees. Similar programs exist nationwide.

For those who haven’t taken the traditional route to the classroom, these alternative training programs offer a valuable way to jump-start a career. “For people who already have a bachelor’s degree, they really do expedite the process of becoming a teacher,” said Emily Feistritzer, president of the National Center for Alternative Certification.

Established in 2003 through a discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the center acts as a clearinghouse for information related to alternative certification programs, which are offered in all 50 states.

What’s required

While the details of each state’s program will vary, the basics of alternative certification are pretty consistent.

“Typically it includes a summer institute that is an orientation to schooling and classroom management and the basics of teaching,” Feistritzer said. “Then the programs generally get people into the classroom as teachers while they finish anything from one to 40 credit hours.”

The center’s Web site has information on each state’s program, along with relevant contact information. Those looking to teach can also learn about alternative certification through Troops to Teachers, a joint effort of the Defense and Education departments.

Those who take this route won’t be alone. Feistritzer estimates a third of all new teachers enter the trade through alternative certification.

In the classroom

What’s it like when you finally start teaching?

“You have to have a lot of enthusiasm and be goal driven,” Amonette said. “You have to have flexibility, the ability to think on the run and problem-solve while multitasking constantly. You have to be dedicated beyond the paycheck, since you spend so many hours preparing, practicing, assessing and documenting.”