Alternative Certification Empowers Career Changers and Retirees to Become Skilled Teachers
These online programs create pathways for professionals with non-education bachelor's degrees to shift to a teaching career.
Across the United States, the demand for skilled teachers is rapidly outpacing the supply of qualified college graduates entering the profession. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, an alarming 86% of K-12 schools faced significant teacher hiring challenges for the 2023-2024 school year. Alternative teacher certification programs have emerged as a viable and increasingly popular solution. Retirees, military veterans, and busy professionals are now turning to these programs as a swift and accessible pathway to a second career in education.
Texas A&M University-Commerce is at the forefront of this movement, offering several innovative alternative certification programs. New educators, like A&M-Commerce student and incoming first-grade teacher Oghenetejiri “TJ” Emuakpeje, are stepping in to fill the gap, bringing much-needed expertise and enthusiasm to Texas classrooms.
“Every child deserves an education guided by skilled professionals who know how to improve student learning outcomes by delivering developmentally appropriate instruction and support,” said Sherri Harwell, director of Educator Certification and Academic Services at A&M-Commerce. “To become that skilled professional, future educators need both theory and practice, which are embedded in our preparation programs.”
Alternative certification for career changers, retirees and veterans
Alternative certification is an expedient path to a second career as a teacher. With fewer required education courses than traditional teacher preparation, alternative certification programs allow teaching candidates to get certified sooner.
Traditionally, aspiring teachers pursue a bachelor's degree in education, specializing in specific grade levels. Alternative teacher certification offers a path to the classroom for those with non-education backgrounds.
According to Tracey Stedman, A&M-Commerce's teacher certification coordinator, alternative certification harnesses the valuable skills that career changers, retirees and military veterans bring to the teaching profession.
“The life experiences and maturity level of alternative certification candidates generally make them great teachers,” Stedman said.
A&M-Commerce offers several alternative certification options.
Option 1: Standard Alternative Certification
Candidates with non-education bachelor's degrees can complete their standard alternative certification at A&M-Commerce in as little as one and a half to two years. Highlights include:
- Fully online
- 16-week semesters
- Six education courses totaling 18 credit hours
- Focus: Grades Early Childhood-6, 4-8, 6-12, 7-12 or All Levels
Option 2: Career and Technical Education Certification
Career changers and retirees with a bachelor's and professional expertise can use their work experience to focus on a specific field of study, such as agriculture, health science, marketing, technology or more. Students may complete this alternative certification track in one and a half to two years. Highlights include:
- Fully online
- 16-week semesters
- Six education courses totaling 18 credit hours
- Focus: Grades 6-12 or 8-12
Option 3: Competency-Based Alternative Certification
Competency-based alternative certification is a fully online program delivered in accelerated, seven-week terms. Students with non-education bachelor's degrees can utilize this program to begin their student teaching assignments sooner, benefit from a lower rate per term and complete their certification in as little as seven months. Highlights include:
- Fully online
- Seven-week terms
- Six education courses totaling 18 credit hours
- Focus: Grades Early Childhood-6, 4-8, 6-12, 7-12 or All Levels
Option 4: Master's Degree with Alternative Certification
Candidates interested in becoming teachers while gaining in-depth knowledge in a field of study may pursue alternative certification within their chosen grade level while earning a master's degree in either curriculum and instruction or special education. While alternative certification alone is ineligible for financial aid, this degree-seeking program is eligible.
- Fully online
- 16-week semesters
- Focus: Grades Early Childhood-6, 4-8, 6-12, 7-12 or All Levels
The student teaching experience
Beginning in September, the Texas Education Agency will require every alternative certification candidate to complete 50 hours of classroom observation before their teaching assignment, up from the 30 hours previously required.
“Half of those hours are in engaged activity, where they're in a classroom essentially co-teaching and helping with students,” Stedman said. “The other half is spent observing.”
Next, students must pass a content exam to become eligible for a teaching assignment.
Students at A&M-Commerce may choose a one-semester, unpaid student teaching assignment or a paid full-time internship.
The unpaid assignment allows the student to take over a classroom for one semester under the supervision and support of a cooperating teacher. The full-time option—which Stedman said is unavailable to traditional undergraduate education students—allows school districts to hire student teachers as teachers of record for a school year utilizing an intern certificate. In this option, a mentor teacher from the district observes the teacher-in-training throughout the year.
Oghenetejiri Emuakpeje: From cosmetology school to teaching in school
A&M-Commerce student Oghenetejiri “TJ” Emuakpeje transformed her life by pursuing alternative certification and a master's degree at A&M-Commerce. She discovered her passion for teaching during her vocational training to become a cosmetology instructor. There, she met an instructor who epitomized everything she wanted to be.
Emuakpeje—who had previously acquired her associate degree—needed a bachelor's degree and teacher certification to become a teacher. After completing her bachelor's at A&M-Commerce, she enrolled in the university's alternative certification and master's degree program.
During that time, Emuakpeje completed her internship at Royse City ISD, where she previously worked as a substitute teacher and a computer lab aide. She is set to graduate in August with a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education.
Wraparound support is a key to success
District mentor teachers collaborate with the university's coordinators and field supervisors to coach student teachers through their teaching assignments. They provide encouragement, advice and support to help teachers-in-training succeed.
Mentor Teachers
During her internship experience, Emuakpeje relied on mentor teachers to help her create an effective learning space in her classroom. Indeed, mentor teachers are crucial in alternative teacher certification at A&M-Commerce.
“Mentor teachers must have at least three years of experience as certified teachers and must have outstanding evaluations,” Stedman said.
These knowledgeable educators are assigned to alternative certification students during their teaching assignments. Mentor teachers guide and support teachers-in-training, providing valuable insights and advice to help new teachers develop effective teaching and classroom management strategies.
“They helped me design my classroom and made sure it was an appropriate place to work and help my students,” Emuakpeje said. “They supported me emotionally, modeled lessons for me and helped me to keep going.”
Coordinators and Field Supervisors
Along with the critical support of mentor teachers, guaranteed access to A&M-Commerce program coordinators and field supervisors is another key to success. These individuals support and guide students as they navigate the challenging path to becoming teachers.
Stedman said coordinators at A&M-Commerce serve as a central point of contact, offering personalized assistance and ensuring students can access necessary resources. They help students stay on track, provide regular updates and reminders, and address concerns or questions.
Like mentor teachers, the university's field supervisors offer hands-on mentorship and practical advice in the classroom. They observe and evaluate teaching performance, providing feedback to help students develop essential skills in classroom management, lesson planning and student engagement.
Together, mentor teachers, coordinators and field supervisors help foster the growth and development that future teachers need for a successful career in education.
Making valuable connections
Beyond earning her teaching certification and master's degree, Emuakpeje established lasting connections with several A&M-Commerce faculty members, which have presented valuable opportunities for extracurricular development.
In March, she attended a professional conference in College Station, Texas, to network and hear from keynote speaker Dr. Josh Thompson, a professor of early childhood education at A&M-Commerce. Emuakpeji was enrolled in his class at the time.
“Dr. Thompson is a wonderful professor. When he told me about it, I said, ‘You know what? I'm going. I need to learn all I can to be better at what I do.' That's one of the skills I've learned … to come out of my shell and meet people in the field who I can learn from and that I can give to.'”
In May, she traveled to Guanajuato, Mexico, with Dr. Laura Slay, an assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at A&M-Commerce. The goal was to experience education from a different viewpoint. She said the trip was a “fantastic blend of teaching, cultural exchange and personal growth.” The experience added to her knowledge of culturally responsive teaching.
“The charming city, with its colorful buildings and lively streets, provided a perfect backdrop for learning and exploration. The students were very eager and enthusiastic, making the teaching process incredibly rewarding,” Emuakpeje said. “I was able to connect with fellow educators and locals, gaining insights into Mexico’s educational system and cultural distinctions.”
A new school year and a new career
Emuakpeje will enter her first academic year as a full-time teacher in August, serving as a first-grade teacher at Harry H. Herndon Elementary in Royse City. She said the feeling is a mixture of excitement and anticipation, yet she is confident that the educational theory and practical strategies she gained at A&M-Commerce have prepared her well.
“I have learned the importance of adaptability, effective classroom management and creating engaging lesson plans. I am eager to apply these skills in my own classroom and build positive relationships with my students,” she said. “Though I expect challenges, I am confident that my training has equipped me to handle them and make a meaningful impact on my students’ learning journey.”
Success stories of teachers like Emuakpeje highlight the transformative impact of alternative certification programs. By offering flexible and accessible pathways into the teaching profession, these programs address the critical shortage of educators and enrich the classroom with varied experiences and perspectives.
As more career changers, retirees and veterans bring their unique skills to education, the future of teaching looks promising. Texas A&M-Commerce continues to lead the way, demonstrating that with the right support and training, anyone with a passion for teaching can make a significant and lasting contribution to the field of education.
Learn how alternative certification through A&M-Commerce can position you for a new teaching career.
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