Certification options

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Arina2010
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:18 am

Certification options

Post by Arina2010 »

I need some advice. I've been teaching overseas (Eastern Europe) for five years. I'm a specialist (Music) with a PhD in my field. When Search took me on five years ago they told me it wasn't a huge obstacle that I wasn't certified considering my field and level of education.

I would like to move on from my current position. My sights are on Africa but I am open. This season I put out a large number of applications, had two promising leads (interviews, references checked etc) only to be told that my lack of certification was the deciding factor in not offering me the position. It seems that despite what Search told me, a lack of certification is a big obstacle to landing a great position.

I'm trying to figure out the best road to take. I need to continue to work so online seems the only option. I'm looking at The American College of Education as they have a 1 year online program leading to certification. Another option is the ECIS International Teacher Certificate (ITC). Does anyone have experience being in this position? Thoughts or advice?

Thanks!
PsyGuy
Posts: 10789
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Northern Europe

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Post by PsyGuy »

Im sorry about SA, they tend to have to restrictions are you a logistical challenge (family/too expensive), and are you qualified (your not just some ESOL teacher who taught an academic english class in SK for a year). Beyond that they make zero if they dont take you as a client, and it cost them nothing if you fail, since someone might want a Ph.D music teacher and its been in more demand this and last season (not high demand just more demand, arts has likely had the best demand increase this season).
Certification and licensure is what separates a professional educator from an academic. A certificate license makes you legal, and for many schools either by regulation, policy, or market competition thats an important factor. This is still K-12 its not Juilliard, you dont need a master just an expert, so theres the value vs utility vs. expense factor (expense is more than your compensation). Lastly there is an issue of ego regarding admins referring to a teacher as "doctor", it chafes a number of them.

You could do all of that though those arent great programs. general consensus is to recommend the Teach Ready Program in Florida. A more practical option you may consider is applying for certification in Missouri. Missouri will issue you an initial teaching certificate on the basis of having a doctoral degree in your subject and completing the MEGA 063 Professional Knowledge assessment (a one day test). The assessment is offered by Pearson year round and nation wide. If you have US military base access or can get authorization to access the base, you can take it overseas. This would require no coursework, and save you considerable tuition, in addition to being far more efficient.
It can be found here:

http://dese.mo.gov/educator-quality/cer ... tification
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