An organization that works to build rural communities through education and employment will host a job event Thursday evening to recruit new teachers.
In a statement announcing the job event, The American Board, which describes itself as “a non-profit dedicated to recruiting and certifying community-based teachers in South Carolina,” will “host a public event on how residents can become certified South Carolina teachers.” During the sessions, which will be held at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Quality Inn, 315 N. Duncan Bypass, Union, participants “will learn what to expect in a career as a teacher” and be advised on “a personalized path to teacher certification.”
The event will be led by South Carolina Teacher Certification Specialist Katelyn Price.
“Anyone with a bachelor’s degree can become a full-time teacher within a year as long as they plan the right path.” Price said. “We are searching for people who have real-life experience and want to apply that experience in the classroom.”
Price can be contacted at kprice@americanboard.org or (803) 600-8010. Visit www.abcte.org for more information on becoming a teacher.
On its website, the organization states that the United States needs 240,000 new teachers each year and that there are severe shortages of math and science teachers. It points out that teachers are retiring “in record numbers” with one out of five now teaching to retire within the next five years. Furthermore, they are not being replaced as fewer college students are studying to become teachers. In 2006, only one percent of the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees were in Education compared to 25 percent in 1970. By 2014, the United States will need 2 million new teachers.
To help meet that need, The American Board is working to bring more people into teaching. The organization provides professionals interested in changing careers with the opportunity to do so through its alternative teaching certification which “is offered in a variety of subject areas and offers a customized study plan for each candidate.” Those wanting to participate in the program must:
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in any subject area from an approved college or university
• Pass a background check
• Pass the ABCTE Professional Teaching Knowledge exam
• Pass the ABCTE subject area exam (in the candidate’s chosen subject area)
Those participating in the program “study on their own time and at their own pace using a variety of resources, including practice exams, online refresher courses” and the organization’s “Prepare to Teach workshops. Candidates receive a study plan and program checklist, plus additional resources and ongoing program support throughout the certification process.
The website states the program is accepted in 11 states, including South Carolina, as a route to teacher certification.
The American Board
The American Board is a state approved teacher certification non profit that certifies career changers, substitute teachers, paraprofessionals and out-of-field teachers. Founded in 2001 via a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the American Board’s focus is building rural communities through education and employment. The American Board’s program allows highly-knowledgeable individuals from within their community to earn certification without additional class time, student teaching or state exams. Through improving the accessibility and affordability of certification, schools now have the opportunity to hire highly-qualified teachers from within their community.
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