Expert: Bonnie Shimmin - 1/26/2010

Question
I am an ex-teacher who went the normal route of getting my degree and certification through 4 years of college when I was out of high school. However, now I have a friend who wants to get into teaching as a mid-career change and I am trying to help. What is the most direct route for a 39 year old male hispanic with a master's in Educational Policy and Management to get in the classroom as a teacher (middle or high school)in Southern California? He does not have any classroom teaching experience (except a small amount of substituting) and does not have a teaching credential. However,in researching the credential requirements, it appears that CA would expect him to "start over" with many hours of course work at considerable time and expense. Surely there must be a secret back door way into teaching for people who are already highly-educated and have years of work experience. He would not mind having to take a few courses while teaching to earn the credential, but does not want or need another degree. University and private institutions seem to only offer degree programs. Are there any CA community colleges or other avenues that would provide the needed coursework only to grant a certificate (without an additional degree)? For example, I found that Pima Community College in AZ offers a certificate only for post-graduate professionals who want to teach--non-degree program. My friend would make an outstanding teacher and is motivated to do so, but seems to be being blocked by the system. Does CA have a "lateral entry" provision? If so, how does one go about pursuing that? If not, what do you advise as the best path to get a teaching position in which he can work while he earns the credential and where can go (physically or online) to find out what courses he would need and how to complete them based on already having a master's? (By the way, although he knows that teaching is not a financially lucrative job, it does have its intrinsic rewards and provides good benefits. Substituting for any length of time is not an option because of having to self-insure health and other benefits.)Please help. This man should be in a classroom doing wonderful things for kids if possible and as soon as possible!

Answer
Dear Kathy,

Your friend is going to have a hard time getting a teaching job in a public California middle or high school with his present certification and background.  As a principal, I knew of many people who would be great at teaching this or that subject for which they didn't have the correct credential.  But they were not able to do it because the law precluded me from allowing it.  I don't believe this was peculiar to my school district.  In order to be considered "Highly Qualified" and therefore able to teach in any school getting state or federal funds, teachers must be certified by the state, and must have an undergraduate degree (or sufficient classes to justify a degree) in the subject to be taught.  

This has not always been so.  When I started teaching nearly 40 years ago, it was as an intern for a local, private college with a BA and nothing else.  I spent the summer student teaching and in the fall, got my own class (and $6909 a year), a teaching supervisor who came in each week to observe me, and night classes for about 2 years.  At the end of that time, I received my credential, but had been working full time.  This seems like the sort of experience you envision for your friend.  It's just that there aren't many of those opportunities anymore.  I would suggest "Teach for America" or a college intern program that focuses on geographic areas that are hard to staff with teachers.  It might help to talk to college counselors personally about his ambitions.  Sometimes email is easier to dismiss than an eager teacher standing at your desk.  

Best of Luck,
Bonnie