So you’ve decided that you want to become a teacher in New York. Congratulations! Teaching is an incredibly rewarding profession, and there’s no better place to do it than in the Empire States. Teacher certification can be described as a process of authorizing an individual to teach in a given jurisdiction or state. Many people believe that the process is complicated and time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be. If you follow these simple steps, you’ll be certified with a New York state teacher certification and ready to teach in no time.
Step 1: Complete an Accredited Teaching Program
The first requirement for New York state teacher certification is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Many different universities and colleges that offer to teach programs are accredited by the state. Your degree does not have to be in education, but you must complete all required coursework for your major and earn at least a 2.5 GPA. Do a thorough research and choose the one that best fits your needs.
Step 2: Student Teaching
The next step is student teaching, which must be completed as part of an accredited teacher education program. This is whereby you’ll be placed in a real classroom, under the supervision of a certified teacher. You’ll have the opportunity to put into practice all the theories and concepts you’ve learned in your education program. This will allow you to put your knowledge into practice and learn from experienced teachers.
Step 3: Take and pass the New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE)
All candidates for certification in New York State must pass required exams; the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), the Educating All Students test (EAS), a Content Specialty Test (CST), and the Professional Teaching Knowledge Test (PTK). The LAST is a content knowledge exam that covers a variety of topics including English, math, science, and social studies. The Educating All Students test (EAS) measures your ability to work with students of diverse backgrounds and learning needs. The CST covers the specific content area you wish to teach, such as math, science, or social studies. The PTK is a pedagogy exam that measures your knowledge of effective teaching practices. You can find study guides for both exams online or at your local library.
Step 4: Apply for Your Certification
After you have earned your degree, you will need to apply for certification. You can apply online through the New York State Education Department’s Office of Teaching Initiatives. The application process includes submitting transcripts and other required documents as well as paying a fee. Once your application has been processed, you will receive your New York state teacher certification in the mail! The notification will also include your NYSTCE scores.
Step 5: Find Employment
After completing all the requirements and having been certified by the state of New York, you can begin applying for teaching positions at schools throughout the state. Many school districts require teachers to have at least two years of experience before they will be considered for full-time positions. However, some districts offer new teachers mentorship programs or other opportunities to gain experience while they are still completing their certification requirements.
Step 6: Maintain Certification
Even after you have found employment as a certified teacher in New York State, it is important to maintain your certification by completing continuing education credits regularly. Most teachers are required to complete at least 30 hours of professional development every five years to maintain their certification status. This is because the field of education is constantly evolving and teachers need to keep up-to-date with the latest teaching methods and strategies. Professional development credits can be earned through a variety of means, such as attending workshops or seminars, taking online courses, or even participating in certain types of research.
Conclusion
Above is the guide on how you earn your New York state teacher certification. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to study for the required examinations and take advantage of any opportunities that come your way to gain experience in the classroom. With hard work and dedication, soon you will be inspiring young minds all across New York state!
