Many people out there think that they’d make great teachers, but for whatever reason they don’t feel they can pursue licensure or certification. They might wonder if it’s possible to teach without these important credentials and how they can go about doing so. Their reasons range from financial issues to difficulty getting into college programs or simply wanting to launch right into the workforce.
The truth is that while in some states you can teach without certification in some places, it’s almost never a good idea to try to undertake this process. Read about teaching without certification, the ways you can earn a living this way and why you should consider seeking licensure and certification in your state.
Teaching without Certification
The first thing to know about teaching without certification is that if you are not a licensed teacher in your state, you will not be able to teach in the public school system. Federal standards require that all public school teachers be certified and state licensed.
That being said, there are some ways in which you can teach without licensure. You may function as an adjunct professor at a college and university. These positions are on a contractual basis from semester to semester, and the need constantly fluctuates. You will likely need at least a Master’s degree, if not a doctorate, to pursue this path.
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You may also function as an online instructor, a corporate trainer or an adult educational instructor. These areas are all growing in importance and don’t require licensure, though certifications do exist which can help you improve your credentials and qualifications.
Finally, private schools aren’t bound by the requirements for licensure, so you may be able to obtain work as a teacher in one of these private institutions. You still, however, may be required to have at least a graduate-level education to prove that you have the necessary knowledge to develop and teach a curriculum.
Why Certification Matters
Certification is the only way you’ll be able to obtain work teaching in the public school system. In addition, should you manage to get work as a teacher in another area without certification, you won’t be paid as much money for the job, and indeed, it can be very hard to make ends meet as a non-certified teacher. Some corporate educators and adult educators make a decent living, but it can take many years of hard work climbing the corporate ladder to get there, with no guarantee of success.
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Affording Your Teaching Degree
There’s a lot of discussion about how hard it is to afford school these days and the amount of student loan debt that young people gather during their academic careers. This is all true, but in the end it’s worth it, and there are programs available to help people of low income seek higher education.
You can always start with courses at a community college, especially if your high school transcripts weren’t the best. It’s affordable and allows you to explore your goal while fulfilling basic requirements. Then, look into financial aid and what is required in becoming a teacher.
In the end, while teaching without certification in some respect is possible, you’re always better off if you seek licensure in your state. Check out the requirements to get started today!