How do I Become a Teacher?

 


 

I would like to become a teacher!

For certification, applicants who have completed a bachelor's degree or higher but who did not qualify for teacher certification upon graduation three types of alternate route certification programs are available:

  • Provisional-level Non-Renewable (Test-Based Route)
  • One-Year Pathways Program offered through Metro RESA. (Would qualify for a Provisional-level Non-Renewable certificate.)
  • The GATAPP Intern Route - offered through the Georgia Teacher Alternative Preparation Program (GA TAPP). The Douglas County School System participates in the Metro RESA TAPP (http://www.mresa.org). (Would qualify for an IT (Intern) Certificate at the provisional salary level.) See website for MetroRESA. The subject-area content assessments must be passed before beginning the program.

1. Eligibility for Provisional-Level Nonrenewable Certification (Test-Based Route):

  • You must pass the content assessment/s required for your certification field. GACE (Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators) information on can be obtained at http://www.gace.nesinc.com/. In addition, candidates must post passing scores for the GACE Ethics assessment to your GAPSC account.

  • You would then be eligible to be considered for employment by a Georgia school system. Douglas County employs teachers eligible for these types of certificates on an emergency basis only. If offered employment with our school system, we will assist you with applying for a non-renewable, provisional-level certificate.

  • Following employment, you would then need to complete an approved program at a college or other approved provider in order to be recommended for full renewable certification.


2. Eligibility for the One-Year Pathways Program (through Metro-RESA):

  • For teaching fields only, you may participate in the One-Year Pathways Program if you have the following:
  • Not all degree fields (majors) are well matched to certification teaching fields. Information on degree fields can be found on the PSC web site (http://www.gapsc.com/).
  • Douglas County participates in the One-Year Pathways Program through Metro-RESA, but hires these candidates on an emergency-basis only. Program fees are the responsibility of the participant.
  • The GACE Subject Area Content assessments and GACE Pedagogy assessment will be used after September 30, 2006. Information on GACE can be obtained at http://www.gace.nesinc.com/. There are still a couple of fields which utilize the Praxis II for subject area content assessments including Speech-Language Pathology, and Latin.
  • In addition, you must post passing scores for the GACE Ethics assessment to your GAPSC account.

3. Certification Through Georgia TAPP (Intern Certificate)

  • You must be accepted into a PSC approved GA TAPP program. In order to be accepted you must have a bachelor's degree or higher from a PSC approved institution in a related field. The only exception to having a degree in a related field is for certification in special education. Program fees are the responsibility of the participant.
  • You must pass the GACE Ethics Exam.
  • Except for the field of special education, the subject-area content assessment tests must be passed prior to entering the program. The GACE assessments are the required content assessment in Georgia, with the exceptions listed above. Information on GACE can be obtained at http://www.gace.nesinc.com.
  • You must be offered employment in a Georgia school system. Georgia school system personnel are knowledgeable about the GA TAPP program and can assist you with enrollment in the most convenient GA TAPP program. As part of the application process for GA TAPP certification, the school system personnel office that hired you must submit evidence of your employment with an Employer's Assurance Form or on-line equivalent.

    Note: If hired by Douglas County, we will apply for your intern certification online after you have provided required basic information and materials. Douglas County hires these candidates on an emergency-basis only.


Documentation Required for Provisional-Level Non-Renewable (Test-Based Certification), the One-Year Pathways Program or GATAPP Intern Certification

  • Official Transcripts from all colleges you have attended. Your bachelor level transcript must show the graduation date and GPA information. The transcript showing your highest degree, regardless of major or specialization area, will be used to determine your highest certificate level and will likely affect your pay as a Georgia teacher. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission accepts credit only from colleges which are accredited by specific agencies. Accreditation information can be found on the PSC web site (http://www.gapsc.com).
  • Passing Praxis II (prior to September 30, 2006) or GACE Content Assessment Test Results for the Tests Required for your Certification Field.
    (Optional) Passing GACE Professional Pedagogy. (For One-Year Supervised Practicum participants.)
  • Employment Verification. After you have been offered employment with a Georgia school system, the certification official will submit an Employer Assurance Form on your behalf. Employment is a requirement for the Provisional-level, Non-Renewable (Test-Based) certificate as well as the One-Year Pathways Program and the GA TAPP Intern Certification.
  • A PSC Application form containing your answers to the following questions:
    • Have you ever been dismissed, non-renewed, terminated or resigned while under investigation for allegations of or commission of a felony, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or a violation of any profession's code of ethics?
    • Do you have any charges pending against you for committing a felony, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or a violation of any profession's code of ethics?
    • Have you ever had any adverse action (i.e. warning, reprimand, suspension, revocation, voluntary surrender, etc.) taken against any professional certificate or license by any agency (in any state) other than the Georgia Professional Standards Commission?
    • For any felony or for any misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude, have you ever:
      Pled guilty;
      Been found guilty;
      Entered a plea of nolo contendere;
      Been granted first offender treatment without adjudication of guilt;
      Participated in a pre-trial diversion program; or
      Been placed under a court order whereby an adjudication or sentence was withheld?

"Moral turpitude" is defined at http://www.gapsc.com


Additional certification information, including a list of program providers, self-evaluation test, etc., is available at the Professional Standards Commission website.

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