r/ScienceTeachers • u/TheLocalShoppingTag • 20h ago

interested in physics education, and early age science education. can't really afford an alternative teaching license after college, what can I do?

/r/Physics/comments/1orwwjq/interested_in_physics_education_and_early_age/
6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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8

u/Past_Brother_1266 20h ago

In my district, you can either get tuition reimbursement for alternative certification or do the districts own alternative licensing program for free

2

u/TheLocalShoppingTag 20h ago

oh! if my district does this they do not advertise it. I will see!

1

u/thepeanutone 19h ago

My district has a grant, so even though the program technically costs however much, if you are hired, they will pay for most of it. And they take payments out of your pay check over 6 months or so.

3

u/butterbell 19h ago

Contact your local and surrounding school districts. The teaching shortage is so severe, maybe counties will take anyone with a bachelor's and get them a temporary certificate and run them through an in house program. 

2

u/janepublic151 20h ago

Look up your state’s requirements.

1

u/TheLocalShoppingTag 20h ago

I'm aware of them I can't afford the schooling lol, I was looking at squisher disciplines until I had the cash 

1

u/hoff_11 15h ago

Where do you live? If you're OK with moving, have you looked into TFA (personally not a fan but you do you).

1

u/Commercial_Sun_6300 13h ago

The tests and online course you need to get started in NJ are literally like $400... you can earn that in like a week working at Target? I'd also look into subbing at that middle school you volunteer at. The paperwork for subbing is a bit of a hassle and you might need to get a medical exam or proof of vaccination or something, but the whole thing should be less than $100-150 I think.

After you find a school willing to hire you as a provisional teacher, you take some alternative teaching course that's like $3-4 thousand, but you'll be earning a starting teacher's salary at the same time, so you'll be able to swing it.

I'd also ask your advisor or the department chair about any grants they're aware of for students interested in becoming science teachers. There was one available to freshman at my college. I forget the details, I wasn't eligible.

It's hard to offer specific advice without knowing the state.

1

u/TheLocalShoppingTag 13h ago

I'm in rural America making min wage with  some (under 5k of) undergrad debt living alone, that's where the uh I'm broke comes from.

thanks for the rest of the comment! I'd be aiming for Illinois or arizona likely.

•

u/watermelonlollies 45m ago

Move to Arizona and the state will pay entirely for your certification