Job Discussion Forums

[fladude]

I am still slowly but surely moving towards a career in ESL. I've had some setbacks most particularly in terms of not being paid by the US Government for a substantial sum that I am owed (I will be paid but it's taking a long time). Since it looks like I have a couple months to wait, I decided to bulk up my teaching status here in the States. I found a local community college (it's a State College and is accredited) that offers a high speed summer session which gives 15 hours of college credit and results in teaching certification (and I believe that my own State's certification is reciprocal with most, if not all other states). I had planned to become certified in ESL, English and Social Sciences (my background is in law and history so I know that I can pass the Social Science exam easily and decided to just spend the extra 65 dollars on the certification). I already have a BA and a JD so the college credit is pretty worthless, but the certification seems like a good deal.

I guess I'm going to do this even if it's worthless since I'm stuck here anyway and it's relatively inexpensive (might as well do something while I'm waiting to get paid). At least I will be certified to teach somewhere. But do you think it will be worthwhile?

[Chancellor]

[fladude]

Chancellor,

Thanks for the info. I'm certainly hoping to teach adults, or at least older students. I am getting certified for 7th to 12th grade (high school education). I don't know if Florida has a State certification for teaching ESL to adults, although I am under the impression from what I can gather on the State website that the State would deem me qualified to teach ESL to adults once I am a certified high school teacher as long as it wasn't for college level credit (for which I assume I need a Master's degree from an accredited University).

Edited to add: I did find a certification for adult education administration, but I think it's for administration rather than teaching. I won't be able to do that though because it requires you to be a certified teacher for three years first.

[naturegirl321]

Licenses are worth having, however, if you're not planning on using them, then they're not much good. I mean, if you get a license in teaching kids and you're teachin Bus English, it probably won't help.

If you want to teach in an intl school, then go for it.

[hollysuel]

If you ever plan on returning to the states you would then have more options open to you if you have the credentials.

[johnslat]

But license certification does expire (as do we all.) In New Mexico, the provisional license last five years, but during that time you have to be doing stuff (workshops, courses, etc.) to get a permanent license. And the permanent licenses holders also have to do "professional development" to keep their licenses.

[fladude]

[johnslat]

If you have a professional certificate, renewal looks pretty easy:

Florida teachers who are already certified need 6 credit hours every five years to renew their permanent certificate. This program is also good for those who want to reinstate an expired certification. You may take almost any SPC course with an education prefix or courses specific to your certification area to meet the requirements for renewal. Here is a list of Coursework for Certification Renewal & Reinstatement

http://www.spjc.cc.fl.us/bachelors/docs/Coursework_Certification_Courses.pdf

If you are employed by a private school, or if you are not currently employed as an educator, apply for renewal online or request Application Form CG-10R and submit the completed application to the Bureau of Educator Certification.

Six (6) semester hours of college credit or equivalent must be earned during each renewal period to renew your certificate. See information below for retaining all subjects on your certificate.
Renewal requirements must be completed during the last validity period of the Professional Certificate and prior to expiration of the Professional Certificate. It is the responsibility of each applicant to obtain current information regarding renewal requirements from the employing school district, nonpublic school, or Bureau of Educator Certification.
The application form and appropriate fee must be submitted during the last year of the validity period of the certificate and prior to the expiration of the Professional Certificate. However, the renewal application may be submitted after expiration of the Professional Certificate if the following criteria are met:
Appropriate renewal requirements are completed prior to expiration of the Professional Certificate, and
Renewal application form, application fee, and $30.00 late fee are submitted to the Bureau of Educator Certification prior to July 1 of the year following expiration of the certificate.
A grade of at least �C� must be earned in each college course used for renewal. A grade of �pass� or �satisfactory� is an acceptable grade.
In the event a subject is deleted from the certificate at the request of the certificate holder or due to noncompletion of renewal requirements, all requirements which are in effect when an application is submitted to add the subject to the certificate again must be completed.
College level credits used for certificate renewal must be completed at an accredited or approved institution. Florida residents may view a list of our state's accredited colleges and universities and accredited community colleges.
College credit awarded for CLEP, DANTES Subject Standardized Test, Excelsior, other examination, life experience, or other method is acceptable for renewal if the credit is reflected on an official transcript by an accredited or approved institution and the content of the course is appropriate.

http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/renew.asp

Regards,
John

[Chancellor]