Requirements for ECE Teacher Certification in Alaska
Teaching is one of the most noble, rewarding experiences. In Alaska, early childhood education allows you to enjoy an excellent career path. However, it will take several steps before you can become a certified educator. This article will walk you through each step and help you understand what you need.
Alaska Steps to Follow for Teachers
According to labor statistics, teachers in the state of Alaska earn higher than the national average. One factor is that the state is the least densely populated and teachers who are willing to teach in the region are scarce.
Scholarships and grant programs are available for financing teacher education. This helps to encourage more professionals in the state to enter the field. This work is heavily in demand, with rural areas in Alaska experiencing a shortage in the number of teachers.
In 2012, there were 670 employed pre-school teachers and the number continues to grow, outpacing the available workers.
The road to becoming a pre-school teacher in Alaska is more flexible than many other states. You need to have a degree or credential and you’ll have to undergo multiple tests, certifications, and necessary educational training. However, entry into the field can be achieved much more quickly in Alaska than in some places.
Step 1. Get Your Certification or Degree
Education is the foundation of your professional career. To become an ECE preschool teacher in Alaska, you must complete proper educational training. However, unlike most other states, which require a bachelor’s degree at a minimum and are increasing the educational needs for their teachers, Alaska may have available positions for those with lower levels of training. This includes a CDA Credential, Associate Degree, OR a Bachelor’s Degree. This gives you the opportunity to start working right away and earn experience and money while you continue or consider continuing your education.
However, a bachelor's degree is still a basic requirement and you should definitely consider either starting with one or continuing your education until you’ve attained one. We will talk more about this later.
Step 2. Pass Your Exam
After completing your degree and a teacher education program, you must pass a basic competency exam. This exam has certain components where you will prove your basic skills, including reading, mathematics, and writing.
Alaska allows you to use the PRAXIS exam testing Core Academic Skills for Educators (CASE), or a number of other state tests including: Alabama, California, Florida, etc. You can see the specifics of requirements from the state on the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development website.
Step 3. Get Your Certification
You may now start working as an educator after earning certification. Receiving your certification will require the basic application, though there will be differences depending on which degree or certification you earned and where you plan to work. With the basic teacher preparation and bachelor’s degree program, you’ll receive an Initial Teacher Certificate that will last for 3 years. You’ll need to take another test during these three years and earn an endorsement.
Step 4. Upgrade Your Certificate
You need to make the best out of your professional practice. Besides fulfilling regular work, further educational training is needed. You’ll need to complete 6 semester credit hours in graduate level courses in order to renew this license, along with completing a few other requirements like, time spent teaching, current employment, etc. In Alaska, your professional teacher certificate is renewed every five years.
Popular Career Choices
Preschool Teacher
Kindergarten Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Alaska Needs Teachers Like You
Now, you may be thinking that there aren’t that many schools in Alaska and your options are very limited. While this is, in part, true it isn’t the whole story. If you are looking to find more options for your schooling, be sure to check out the Western Undergraduate Exchange. Using this agreement between states, you have the opportunity to attend some out-of-state colleges at in-state rates. And better yet, Alaska has already made it clear that you can use most of these states teaching certificate tests in order to gain certification in Alaska. The bottom line is that Alaska needs teachers, and they are willing to be flexible in order to get you into the position as soon as possible!
Accredited Alaska Programs
Now that we have highlighted the basic roadmap, it is time to look into the specifics.
The whole process is regulated by the Alaska Board of Education and Early Development. In this section, we will list down the items that you need to pass and inform you on how you can obtain them.
Degree in Early Childhood Education
You must complete a bachelor's degree (or higher) in Early Childhood Education. This will be your primary ticket to a teaching license. A bachelor’s degree is a four-year undergraduate program offered by an accredited academic institution.
If you have a bachelor's degree in another field, you can seek alternative teacher certification. This is an opportunity for those who have completed a higher education degree previously and would like to transition to the educational field. You may return to school and complete a teacher preparation program.
These programs must be approved by the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development. Preparation programs can be completed within a year as a certificate program. It is a combination of undergraduate and graduate education. It also requires you to have a student teaching experience.
Required coursework
In order to acquire certification, you must accomplish the required coursework. Both multicultural coursework and Alaska studies coursework are required. Each area requires at least three semesters.
Some programs do not have Alaska studies. This is especially true if you acquired your degree from a different country or state. It is highly recommended to have units in this coursework, as it will affect your ability to acquire a license.
Considering a master’s degree
A highly recommended option is to pursue a master's degree in education. To maintain your license, you will have to take graduate units, so using those units to attain a master’s will open the doors to better employment opportunities and higher wages. Investment in further education is an excellent option.
Competency Examination
After obtaining a degree or master’s degree, you need to pass a basic competency examination. The test covers reading, writing, and math.
There is no single prescribed exam for you to take. The PRAXIS Academic Skills for Educators exam is a popular option. You can choose from other State examinations such as the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), Washington Educator Skills Test (WEST-B), Michigan Test for Teacher Certification, etc.
You can choose which examination is most convenient for you or closer to your home state.
Initial Certification
In your career as an early childhood educator in Alaska, you will be acquiring multiple certifications.
After passing the competency exam, you must apply for initial certification as a pre-school teacher (PreK-3) in Alaska. A Teacher Certification Application must be completed together with an institutional recommendation.
Here are the following documents that you need to submit:
Official transcripts (for bachelor's degree and teacher preparation program)
Institutional recommendation (from an official in your preparation program)
Fingerprint card (a background check with both the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the FBI is required)
Verification for passing basic competency exam
Payment of fees
There are two kinds of certifications that you can apply for. To apply for an Initial Three-Year Teacher Certificate, you must complete the required three-semester Alaska coursework. Otherwise, you may only apply for an Initial Two-Year Teacher Certificate.
Therefore, if you would like to apply for an initial certificate with a longer period of validity, make sure that you have passed an Alaska Teacher Preparation Program.
Content Area Examination
During the certification period, you must pass a PRAXIS II content area examination in Elementary Development (K-8). This is a specialized test. Passing this test will give an Alaska teaching certificate in early childhood education.
Maintaining a Professional Teacher Certificate with an Early Childhood Endorsement
Obtaining a certificate in ECE, together with a two-year or three-year teacher certificate, is not the last step in your professional career. This will allow you to gain employment as an educator and acquire teaching experience.
The next step is to apply for and maintain professional certification.
You must prove that you have/are:
Presently employed as a pre-school teacher in Alaska
Completed a minimum of two years' teaching experience
Taken and passed the PRAXIS II examination for your endorsement in ECE
Completed a minimum of 6 semester credit hours in higher-level coursework
Accomplished the mandatory Alaska coursework
Every five years, your professional teacher certificate is renewed.
You’ll get it upon accomplishment of at least 6 semester credit hours of graduate courses. For this reason, many educators choose to complete a master's degree, allowing them to meet the continuing academic requirements and move up in their career with higher pay rates and a wider scope of opportunities.
A master teacher certificate in Alaska, issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), is valid for 10 years.
Accredited Early Childhood Educator Teacher Preparation Programs
The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education monitors and manages all colleges in Alaska. For those who seek higher education, community and technical colleges are a popular option.
At present, there are a number of accredited ECE teacher preparation programs to choose from. Here are some institutions to consider:
Alaska Pacific University
Degrees Offered:
Elementary Education; Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Post-grad Certificate
Accreditation By:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
University of Alaska Anchorage
Degrees Offered:
Elementary Education (Pre-K-3 & K-6); Bachelor’s & Post-grad Certificate
ESL Teaching; Post-grad Certificate
Special Education in Early Childhood; Post-grad Certificate
Early Childhood Special Education Minor
Accreditation By:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
University of Alaska Southeast
Degrees Offered:
Elementary Education (K-8); Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Post-grad Certificate
Reading Teacher Education; Master’s & Post-grad Certification
Special Education (K-12); Bachelor’s. Master’s, & Post-grad Certificate
Educational Leadership and Administration (K-12); Master’s
Accreditation By:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
The Alaska Department of Education as well as Early Growth (EED) supervises the Alaska teacher licensing procedure. Training in Alaska K-12 colleges requires an active coach certificate issued by the EED. The Alaska teacher certification procedure is detailed listed below to assist you discover exactly just how to end up being a teacher in Alaska. To get Alaska teacher certification, potential instructors need to get a bachelor's level as well as a full teacher preparation job program.
Teacher education and learning as well as finding out programs may furthermore hold certification from the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Prep Work (CAEP). This business is the result of the merging in between the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education And Learning And Discovering (NCATE) and also the Educator Education And Learning As Well As Discovering Certification Council (TEAC). CAEP certification brings a notable integrity for laborious requirements in teacher prep work.
The Alaska Division of Education And Learning And Knowing & Early Growth furthermore calls for all instructors to take 2 courses, one in Alaska research as well as one in Alaska multiculturalism. A listing of accredited training courses is readily offered via the department's web site. These programs need to be taken within the very first 2 years of a Very first authorization in order to recover a mentor qualification.
Prospective instructors in Alaska should pass a basic proficiency assessment. There are a variety of expertise examinations that meet this requirement for Alaska instructor accreditation, which are given with the Division of Training & Recognizing Assistance internet site. In addition to demonstrating essential skills, potential customers have to also show content-specific experience for their recommendation place( s) by taking the appropriate Praxis Subject Evaluations.
All Alaska mentor candidates are asked to finish a background speech with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) in addition to a government background contact with the FBI. Finger prints should be rolled or checked by a qualified expert. Appropriate finger print cards can be requested for from the Alaska Division of Education As Well As Discovering & Early Development.
You will absolutely need to familiarize yourself with this website, as it has lots of resources beneficial to both hopeful teachers as well as also current instructors. There are numerous various types of accreditations offered to educators in Alaska.
Wage over nat'l. avg. Take a look at the very early childhood teacher task openings released basically throughout Alaska along with you'll swiftly discover that wages in a great deal of classifications overtake the across the country average. Many substantial are the revenues amongst special education teachers in preschool as well as primary university settings, with instructors in both these areas obtaining almost$ 10,000 above the national standard. Jobs for Alaska's child care staff members are forecasted to boost by 5.9% with 2026. About 1500 youngsters, members of the family, and social workers.
Teacher education and learning and finding out programs might furthermore hold accreditation from the Council for the Qualification of Teacher Prep Work (CAEP). This firm is the result of the combining between the National Council for Certification of Teacher Education And Learning As Well As Learning (NCATE) and the Teacher Education And Also Knowing Qualification Council (TEAC). CAEP certification brings a prominent track record for extensive criteria in teacher preparation.
The Alaska Division of Education And Learning And Learning & Early Development furthermore needs all teachers to take 2 courses, one in Alaska research studies and also one in Alaska multiculturalism. A checklist of approved programs is easily available through the division's website. These programs ought to be taken within the extremely initial two years of a Preliminary authorization in order to restore a training certification.
Possible teachers in Alaska ought to pass a common proficiency examination. There are a range of expertise assessments that fulfill this need for Alaska teacher credentials, which are given with the Department of Advisor & Discovering Assistance site. In enhancement to showing standard abilities, prospects need to in addition show content-specific expertise for their recommendation area( s) by taking the appropriate Technique Subject Evaluations.
All Alaska training prospects are needed to end up a background in touch with the Division of Public Security (DPS) along with a government history call the FBI. Fingerprints need to be rolled or checked by a skilled professional. Acceptable fingerprint cards can be requested from the Alaska Division of Education & Early Development.
If you are thinking about teaching kids at a younger age, then it is time to learn how to become a preschool teacher in Alaska. With the new curriculum that is being taught at the state's preschools, it is no wonder that there are so many positions available. And because of the shortage of teachers in Alaska, you can expect to see some salaries that are much better than those of teachers in the rest of the country. So get ready to do your part in getting your degree before starting your career.
In order to be considered for a teaching job in Alaska, you will have to have a high school diploma, along with a minimum of two years of experience in either elementary school or pre-kindergarten teaching. Plus, you will also need to have an advanced degree such as an associate, bachelor's or master's degree in education. You should also show a commitment to education in your background. This will make it easier for your prospective employer to assess your educational potential. And you will likely find that if you show good academic progress and if you have an interest in the subject matter, then your future will be quite promising.
Even if you don't have your own classroom, you can still teach classes or one-on-one sessions at community centers, public schools, private tutoring facilities and even at the local library. The more experience you gain, the more opportunities you will have to get into higher-level education programs. That is what really sets people apart from one another, after all - a commitment to your education that continues through your entire life.
Once you have completed your education at an institution of higher learning, it is important to check to see if there are any scholarships or grants available in Alaska. Since the state has made major investments in its education system, then you will want to be sure that you have the resources you need to pay for your education.
If you don't have enough financial resources to go into education right now, there are some options available to you that will give you the education you need to teach in Alaska. You could look into going to a private college or university. Although this is not the cheapest option, it is a better option than going back to school and taking out student loans that you will be paying for the rest of your life. In addition, it can help you gain an advanced degree that will set you far apart from other teachers in the area.
You may also decide to attend a private school in Alaska that specializes in early childhood education. The advantage to this is that you will be learning the skills and techniques necessary to be a great preschool teacher. Plus, these schools will often have professional development services to help you succeed.
If you really want to learn how to become a preschool teacher in Alaska, then you may want to enroll in an Alaskan private program such as Alaskan School of Art and Crafts. These schools offer a wonderful curriculum that will prepare you to be a great preschool teacher. Not only will you get a great education, you will also get hands-on experience in preparing children for kindergarten.
You may also want to consider enrolling in a summer camp or a college-level program in teaching preschool. Many of these programs are geared toward teachers who have just entered the teaching field. You can pick up valuable skills in elementary school.
Career Options and Salary Info for Teachers
After obtaining a degree, passing examinations, and earning certificates, you may now start your career as a pre-school teacher. There are various fields, work settings, and areas of expertise you can choose from.
In which specific fields would you like to practice? Here are some options for you to consider.
Public Schools –
Public school districts in Alaska provide services for children aged 3-5 years old. Working inside these classrooms, you help provide a positive, safe, and nurturing environment. Your responsibilities include formulating learning activities in a classroom setting. They must be in the context of meaningful play and support relationships among children with unique needs.
Private Childcare –
Private childcare is synonymous to daycare. As an educator, your primary responsibility is to care for and supervise a child (or multiple children, depending on the setting) with age ranging from six weeks to 13 years of age.
Private Schools –
If you would like to contribute to exceptional and exclusive educational services, teaching in a private school is a good option. Compared to public schools, private education provides unique academic offerings. The class size is also usually smaller. Some private schools offer religion and faith-based learning as well.
Head Start Programs –
Funded by the federal government, Head Start programs are designed for children of low-income families. They promote the school readiness of children up to five years old. The service models of head start programs depend on the local community's needs. All of them aim to meet the social, emotional, and psychological needs of young students.
Community-Based Programs –
Community-based childcare programs can take many forms. The nature of the program depends on the sponsoring community.
Local governments, religious organizations, recreational groups, or even committees formed by parents can sponsor these programs. Due to the nature of sponsorship, these programs are considered to be privately-owned. However, sponsoring committees do not gain profit. All funds are spent towards childcare service.
Each program has objectives and rules specified by the sponsoring community.
Faith-Based Programs –
Some childcare homes integrate tenets of religion into the educational curriculum. Christian faith is common among these programs. Specific practices and religious philosophies are included in promotional materials and handbooks. For example, children are taught prayer, Biblical stories, and creationism. All of these are intended to address the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of children.
Military Programs –
These programs are supported by the Department of Defense. Childcare is generally offered to children who are six weeks to five years old. Depending on the location, extended hours, weekend care, and respite care are offered. These programs generally cater to military families who are in need of care. You can expect to work with children whose family members serve the Army, Air Force, Navy, or Marine Corps.
Early Childhood Education Teaching Salaries in Alaska
Being an educator in Alaska comes with competitive pay rates. Depending on your level of expertise and job title, you can earn as much as $53 per hour.
Your career in ECE can be a stepping stone to more lucrative positions in the field. Take a look at the following table with pay rates according to occupation and experience.