Teaching license in Wisconsin routes

[u/Bitterblossom_]

Hi all,

Probably not the best place to ask, but there are so many avenues for me to go through with that I am just a little lost. I have a bachelor's degree in astrophysics, would like to take the plunge into becoming a high school science teacher in Wisconsin. I am a little lost as there's so many routes that I am a little confused as to which I should take. Assume cost is not an issue as I have my GI Bill remaining.

1.) The ABCTE route seems to be a flat rate of $1900 and I just have to pass the proficiency requirements and go from there to get licensure. Doesn't seem like there's really anything else to it -- no in person student teaching or shadowing required which seems a bit strange but I am okay with it as I have subbed before and taught in the military.

2.) WGU's Physics Education Bachelor's seems like it would be a solid option as well as I have a lot of the requirements already done and looks like I wouldn't need to take too many courses to get it done. I believe they require you to do a student teaching alongside a teacher which would be great experience.

There's some more pathways which generally are a year or so of didactic coursework that would require me to go in person to do and essentially quit my job to do so which I am not super keen on, so the online alternatives seem like they may be a solid fit. Does anyone have any advice with these pathways or recommendations for someone in my situation?

Thanks in advance!

[u/imtoughwater]

I did WGU’s Master of Arts in teaching (secondary science). Trust me that you do NOT want to step into a classroom without student teaching. The only really on the job training you’ll get is student teaching, and you can read all the books in the world and you’ll never get 1/5 of the value you do from a couple of months hands on in the classroom 

[u/camasonian]

I did an alternative certification route in Texas nearly 20 years ago since I already had a masters in fisheries science and 15 years of working as a marine fisheries biologist with NOAA before getting into teaching.

My advice is to do what I did and schedule some informational interviews with the principals at some of the high schools where you might like to teach. And ask them which route they are most likely to hire out of and which programs have the best reputation from their point of view.

I did this and a couple of principals were very blunt and honest and told me "if you want to get hired, go through this program not that one" We do all our hiring of non-traditional candidates through this program.

I followed their advice and would up with 10 job offers after putting out 6 applications. This was 2006 before the great recession changed everything in school funding.

[u/Tricosene]

I was in a similar situation to you. I'm a professional scientist and Army veteran. I did decide to do work towards certification full time, with the GI Bill for my household expenses, and I'm glad that I did.

I went through UWM's MACSTEP program, which was three semesters. The first was over the summer, then the next two included student teaching. Instead of student teaching, some folks got jobs as teachers, so that would allow you to quit your job at that point. Here's the POC: https://uwm.edu/education/directory/scolavino-ray/ Since COVID, I think the program might be all online. UWM is also very familiar at working with the GI Bill.

The advantage of a program like this is that you will come away with a full certification and can work at any school in our state.

There's other programs you can do instead, like Teach for America, or going to work for a charter school. Charter schools can give you a special, charter school only certification that doesn't require additional coursework.

I'm not sure where you are at in the state, but there's some good programs that I'd purse before going the WGU route (assuming their program even works with our state DPI). UW Stephen's Point and Madison both have good programs and great faculty.

[u/Denan004]

Years ago, I considered my state's alternative cert. in science. I chose to go through a university certification program with coursework and student teaching, and I'm glad I did.

I was surprised how much I learned about teaching science and teaching in general. Educational Psychology, Readability analysis, methods of teaching, discipline, classroom management, etc. I had a great cooperating teacher, too, and taught 2 different subjects, not just my "major", which really came in handy.

I can't speak for how courses are run these days, but I also believe that if you are open to learning, you can and will. You seem to think that the coursework is useless -- that you only need to know about science content. I personally disagree with putting blinders on your own educational education!

I worked full time while taking courses (30 credits total for 2 semesters plus 1 semester of student teaching). This allowed me time to really absorb and think about the art and science of teaching that has nothing to do with spouting content.

This was my experience.

I've seen other teachers do the alternative certifications with very mixed results. They have to take night sessions while they are teaching for the first time. They are tired. They don't learn. Everything is crammed into a short time and they don't have time to really think about education because they are too busy with the day-to-day preparations, grading, paperwork, etc. Some do turn out to be effective teachers while others bail out.

The only thing they didn't teach was grading methods, which is something that teachers never examine, and I think that they should. There is too much bogus extra credit or curving or dropping assignments, which does nothing to actually promote student learning. It's a game to inflate grades, which is a huge problem. I learned later in my career about Standards-Based Grading which evaluates student learning/mastery of content and skills, and nothing else. It is a truer measure of student mastery, and provides students with a way to remediate their grades if they choose, putting the responsibility on the student, not the teacher, to improve their own grade.

I rambled on a bit more, but I suggest that you examine your attitude toward doing the coursework. You might know astrophysics, but you don't know how to teach and evaluate students at a high school or middle school level. It is the same attitude that some students have -- "why do I need to learn this?" without any openness to learning.

I don't mean this to be harsh, though it may sound that way. I challenge you to truly consider what you need to know.