Were you made for the desert? Do you have loved ones who live in Tucson? Are you transitioning from a school that doesn’t require credentialing to one that does? Maybe you’re just looking for a change of pace and a cross-country move?
Whatever your path to seeking an Arizona teaching credential, OneTeacher has answers for you.
Where Do I Start?
The answer to this depends on what you’ve already done. In Arizona, there are a few stages you could be at right now:
- I am a student that wants to follow the traditional route to teaching.
- I taught in another state, and now I want to be certified in Arizona.
- I want to change my career from something else to being a teacher.
- I want to do an alternative-route teacher preparation program.
Students on a Traditional Path
This route means you are in an education-degree program at a college or university, preparing to enter the classroom in a traditional way. If this is true, your college advisors and professors will be excellent guides in ensuring you meet all of your university requirements, including student teaching. A full list of Educator Preparation Programs approved by the ADE can be found here.
Many institutions of higher learning also support educators with job fairs and on-campus opportunities to interview. Look for these opportunities and determine in which you may want to participate.
In addition to meeting with your academic advisor and professors, it’s wise to look into the credentialing expectations set forth according to content and grade level by the ADE. Similarly, each grade and content will require different types of exams. Many teachers and administrators will also be willing to have an informational interview with you should you call or email and ask.
Teachers Who Have Taught in Other States and Wish to Transfer Their Certificate to Arizona
If you have a valid teaching certification in a different state, it may have reciprocity with Arizona. Many states have reciprocity with Arizona, and if you’re eligible for reciprocity. Full information about reciprocity can be found on the ADE website here.
If you were formerly a teacher in a different state, but your certificate has expired, review the Teaching Certificates Requirements & Expectations links on this page to determine what the requirements are for the specific grade level and content area you’re interested in teaching.
Career-Changers Who Wish to Be Teachers
First, congratulations on this choice! It takes a lot of bravery and enthusiasm to make a shift to being an educator. The professional experiences you’ve gathered elsewhere will be invaluable to students in Arizona.
To make the shift, there are a number of options. You can take a non-traditional path (more details in the next section), or you can take the route of comparing (and possibly adding to) the coursework you’ve completed, taking a PRAXIS and/or other certification exams, and then applying for your certificate.
Information about what you need to do according to grade level and content area is available on the Teaching Certificates Requirements & Expectations links on this page.
A Note about Non-Certified Roles
Some schools will hire teachers without a certification. These roles are sometimes filled by people who have degrees in their content area or have professional experience that make them qualified for the role. Other times, schools have such a strong system for training and professionally developing their teachers that a certification isn’t a prerequisite for employment. If finding a non-certified position is something you’re interested in, read this post, and contact OneTeacher to help you find a match!
Alternative-Certification Routes
Another way to enter the teaching profession is to join an organization or program that will put you on track toward getting certified. One major benefit of these programs, in addition to acquiring your credentials to teach, is the possible cohort experience out of which a support and social group may arise among people who chose to do these programs at the same time as you. Many of these programs also provide additional coaching and support when you enter the classroom.
Some examples of alternative-certification programs include:
- Teach Arizona (master’s program)
- Teaching Intern Certificate (for those with a bachelor’s degree)
- Arizona’s Alternative Pathway to Teaching Program
- Career and Technical Education Certificates
- Arizona Teachers
- Teach For America
Get Going!
Students across Arizona are ready for teachers who have knowledge, passion, and excitement for the career. Whatever your background, and whatever your specific future, we’re glad you’re considering a profession that has such an impact.
How do you plan to become a teacher, or how did you become a teacher? Share your experiences and your questions in the comments below!
Note: This information was current at the time of publishing and may change at any point, so before (and during) your credentialing process, it’s wise to double check your path with the Arizona Department of Education (ADE).
Whether you are an educator looking for teaching jobs in Phoenix or a Title I school with vacancies to fill, we can help! OneTeacher specializes in matching qualified teachers with teaching jobs in Phoenix Title I schools. Contact us today to learn how we can help!
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