Job Discussion Forums

angstrom · Joined: 03 Aug 2004 Posts: 27

I'm originally from NY, currently in Russia teaching English, and soon going to Japan for 3 months to teach English as well. The plan is to go to Alaska/West Coast next May and get a teaching license while teaching. Is that at all realistic or will I need the license before I can teach? ANy input welcome as to which State is the best to teach in, and live. I am planning to relocate permanently from NY, as it is a jungle out there... Especially looking for fine outdoors, decent cultural life, and amazing vistas.... Am I way off base here? Thanks for any info!!!!!

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

The state of Alaska will pay for your BA: Education if you are willing to teach in a remote native village to pay if off. I've had two friends do this. It was well worth it.

angstrom · Joined: 03 Aug 2004 Posts: 27

thanks! I have heard of this before, but do you have more concrete info, like a website or something like that; I'd love to teach in a remote area and have done a lot of web surfing on it, but haven't found anything as of yet. Thanks again though, that already is of great help.
NM

dtomchek · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 135

Hello:

It depends on what you want to teach. Nowadays, it takes 2 years beyond the BA in California to get a liceanse. That said, if you would be willing to teach Special Education, districts have programs that are designed for you to teach while you are getting the certificate. Other than that, you pretty much have to get the liceanse first. I know as I was offered a Spec Ed position before coming to Japan on one of these programs for San Diego Unified School District. LA also has a program for it.

Good luck.

yodetta · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 68 Location: California, USA

University of California at Santa Barbara, Givertz Graduate School of Education, offers a good one-year M.Ed/credential program...though it's pretty intensive, running from August to August. Look it up at:

www.ucsb.edu

And there's always the "Teach for America" program...

I'd like to learn more about K-12 in Alaska myself! Let's hear more about that...any links? I've got relatives in Nome.

Y

melirae · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 145 Location: Korea

Pretty interesting! I did a little reseach on the web and just wanted to share what I found:

This link has other links that have lots of info-
http://www.neaalaska.org/teach/

This seems to be only for Alaska residents-
http://alaskaadvantage.state.ak.us/page/155

I still would be interested in anything else someone may know about teaching in Alaska.

If you don't have your heart completely set on Alaska, Georgia offers certification in 1-2 years through their TAPP prgram. To qualify, you need a Bachelor's degree with at least a 2.5 GPA. Check out this link for the steps to take-
http://www.gapsc.com/GATAPP/home.asp

There are a lot of beautiful places to live in GA! Very Happy

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

I'd rather gargle razor-blades than live in Georgia.