Requirements for ECE Teacher Certification in Virginia
Teaching is a noble profession. There will always be a need for teachers as long as there are children who need to learn. Choosing to enter the teaching profession requires a level of skill and dedication not everyone possesses. If you are one of those people who desire to help educate the next generation, future forecasts for jobs and the population indicate that your assistance will be greatly needed. This applies to all levels of teaching and education, including preschool teachers.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for preschool teachers is expected to grow faster than average from 2016 to 2026. This is because the population of preschool age children is expected to increase over the next decade. If you plan to teach in the state of Virginia, you’re also in luck; there is a demand for preschool and elementary education teachers. So, if you were considering becoming a preschool teacher, there is no time like the present to get started.
Virginia Steps to Follow for Teachers
Virginia has a specific set of guidelines potential teachers are required to follow in order to teach in the state. Although employment can be attained in a preschool setting with an associate degree, in order to teach and run a preschool classroom, a bachelor's degree is required. A license is also a requirement to teach preschool in the state of Virginia. The process to attain licensure is outlined below.
Step 1. Earn Your Degree
The degree must be from a college or university with regional accreditation. Examples of acceptable accreditation boards include the Higher Learning Commission and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. On top of that, the school must offer an educator preparation program, which means you will take specific courses that meet state guidelines and the program will end with a student teaching experience. To obtain a license to teach preschool, an elementary education specialization for either pre-K - 3 or pre-K - 6 must be included as part of the degree.
Step 2. Pass Your Exams
Virginia requires its teacher to take and pass several exams. First, the PRAXIS CORE Academic Skills for Educators, which includes reading, writing, and mathematics sections. Then, for those who wish to teach in early childhood or elementary education, you must also take the Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects exam. You will take these tests after you have obtained your bachelor’s degree in order to prove your competency in the subjects you will teach. Along with those two exams, Virginia also requires teaching candidates to take and pass the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA). This exam is taken after all college requirements have been fulfilled as required by the Virginia State Board of Education.
Finally, teachers who want to be licensed in the state of Virginia must complete several specialized courses:
Certification of Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition and Intervention Training - this course helps educators recognize the signs of child abuse and trains them on how to effectively report and intervene when abuse is identified. This course is a part of most education programs in the state of Virginia, but for those who are applying with degrees from other states, the course can be taken at no cost for the teaching candidate.
Emergency First Aid, CPR including hands-on practice, and AED training or certification
Dyslexia Awareness Training - as with the Certification of Child Abuse Recognition and Intervention, this course is included in VA teaching curriculums but can be taken at no cost for degree holders from other states.
Step 3. Apply for Your License
The following steps are required to apply for a teaching license in Virginia
College Verification Form - the form must be completed by the certification or licensure officer of the college or university where each program was completed. For example, if you have an associate degree from one school and a bachelor’s degree from another, the officer from both schools must provide a verification form. The form also must include verification of each student teaching practicum that was completed.
Report on Experience - this form is filled out by an appropriate official at the school or organization where you worked or taught. For instance, you taught in a preschool classroom during your students teaching experience while attaining your bachelor's degree. An official from the school you taught at will need to complete this form.
Submission of the PRAXIS I, II and VCLA exam results.
Transcripts from all schools attended where coursework was completed. These must be official, sealed transcripts.
Proof that the Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition and Intervention training has been completed.
Proof that the Emergency First Aid, CPR including hands-on practice, and AED training and certification have been completed.
Proof that Dyslexia Awareness training has been completed.
Application fee - As of 2019, the fee for in-state applicants is $100 and $150 for those who live outside Virginia. The address on the application determines the application fee.
Popular Career Choices
Preschool Teacher
Kindergarten Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Get Started
Attaining a license to teach in the state of Virginia takes dedication and hard work, but the process is worth it if you want to teach children. Since the demand for teachers is not expected to decrease, there is a certain level of job security that comes with teaching; there is also room for advancement. If you choose to move from teaching preschool to elementary school-aged children, that is an option. You can also opt to leave the classroom and move into an administrative role. The path you choose is up to you but getting a degree and becoming a preschool teacher in Virginia is a good place to start.
Accredited Virginia Programs
There are other types of certification that teachers can receive by taking the appropriate PRAXIS exam and meeting other certain requirements. Here are some of those:
Teach English as a Second Language –
Test: English to Speakers of Other Languages – Endorsement
Reading Specialist –
Test: Reading for Virginia Educators – Certification
Special Education, General Curriculum –
Test: Reading for Virginia Educators: Elementary and Special Education – Certification
Special Education, Hearing Impairments –
Test: Reading for Virginia Educators: Elementary and Special Education – Certification
Special Education, Visual Impairments –
Test: Reading for Virginia Educators: Elementary and Special Education – Certification
Administration and Supervision –
Test: School Leaders Licensure Assessment – Certification
Accreditation
Accreditation is a very important part of your education, especially in states like Virginia, where you can have earned your degree in another state and still obtain licensure, but only if the program you attended was accredited. Regional accreditation is provided in Virginia by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. If any program you are considering is not accredited by this agency or another regional accrediting agency, you should remove it from your list of options, as it won’t provide you with the credentials you need.
Accredited Early Childhood Educator Teacher Preparation Programs
Liberty University
Degrees Offered:
School Counseling and Guidance Services; Master’s
Curriculum and Instruction; Dr.
Early Childhood Education and Teaching; Associate’s, Bachelor’s, & Master’s
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism; Post-grad Certificate
Education/Teaching of the Gifted and Talented; Master’s & Post-grad Certificate
Educational Leadership and Administration; Master’s, Dr., & Post-grad Certificate
Elementary Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s & Master’s
Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching; Undergraduate & Post-grad Certificates
Reading Teacher Education; Master’s
Special Education and Teaching; Master’s
Student Counseling and Personnel Services; Master’s
ESL Teaching; Bachelor’s & Undergraduate Certificate
Accreditation By:
NCATE
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Randolph College
Degrees Offered:
Curriculum and Instruction; Master’s
Education, General; Bachelor’s
Special Education and Teaching; Master’s
Accreditation By:
CAEP
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Hampton University
Degrees Offered:
Student Counseling and Personnel Services; Master’s
School Counseling and Guidance Services; Master’s
Early Childhood Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s & Master’s
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities; Master’s
Educational Administration and Supervision; Master’s
Educational Leadership and Administration; Master’s & Dr.
Elementary Education and Teaching; Bachelor’s
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching; Bachelor’s
Accreditation By:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
CAEP
Teacher licensure is called for to instruct in Virginia public institutions in addition to in a lot of independent schools in the state. The Virginia Department of Education and learning As well as Learning supervises the trainer accreditation treatment, which is described thoroughly listed below for those that wish to learn specifically how to wind up being a teacher in Virginia. Virginia has actually established information demands that need to be fulfilled in order for a private to acquire a Virginia mentor qualification.
Virginia makes use of a tiered system for instructor licensure. The normal path to licensure produces the issuance of the Collegiate Specialist License, which is a five-year sustainable qualification for those that please all licensure needs to instruct. Those that go on to finish a graduate degree might become approved for a Postgraduate Expert Certificate.
You can contrast essential metrics for Virginia state-approved teacher preparation job programs by making use of the sortable table on our Virginia universities web page. Potential customers who go to an out-of-state college or an online program should realize that any kind of such program has to be licensed by that state's Department of Education and learning as well as finding out as a teacher prep job program in order to be qualified for Virginia licensure.
Additionally, programs could hold accreditation from the Council for the Qualification of Instructor Preparation (CAEP). Although CAEP accreditation is not called for, a great deal of universities make an application for its accreditation due to its prominent credibility. The very first step in the direction of happening a qualified instructor in Virginia is to complete a bachelor's level that consists of a state-approved instructor prep work program.
The course is provided online at no cost. Moreover, every applicant searching for first licensure or renewal of a license needs to complete hands-on training in emergency situation first aid, CPR, and also AED credentials, ideally from a program recognized by the American Heart Organization or the American Red Cross. Licensure candidates should furthermore finish VDOE-approved dyslexia acknowledgment training.
The initial is the Virginia Communication as well as also Efficiency Evaluation (VCLA), an action of scholastic abilities that is needed for educators in all self-controls. Next, the Technique topic analyses examine the teacher candidate's expertise of his/her material area. Eventually, the Analysis is needed for those looking for suggestions in Elementary as well as Special Education And Learning.
Therefore, beginner trainer candidates require to end up a fingerprint/background check as an element of the preliminary application treatment. Virginia additionally examines the National Organization of State Supervisors of Teacher Education And Understanding along with Accreditation (NASDTEC) clearinghouse for restorative actions against training licenses kept in different other states, which might impact a prospect's certification to receive Virginia.
The prospect should give the complying with documents to support the application: Confirmation of conclusion of a bachelor's degree and state-approved teacher prep job program. Evidence of completed program in youngster misuse acknowledgment as well as treatment. Proof of Emergency Situation First Aid, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and AED Training and additionally Accreditation. Passing ratings on the Virginia Interaction along with Proficiency Evaluation (VCLA) and additionally Praxis content-area tests.
Payment of non-refundable handling fees. The application, which can be downloaded and install and set up from the Virginia Division of Education, have to be sent out to: Virginia Department of Education. Division of Teacher Education and learning along with Licensure. PO Box 2120Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120Visit the state's Division of Education for additional information on instructor accreditation in Virginia. Throughout the 2016-2017 school year, there were 2,134 K-12 public establishments in Virginia, with an approximated pupil population of 1.28 million.
You must likewise pass the usual analyses for Virginia teachers in addition to the Praxis Collection Analysis for Virginia Educators: Elementary and additionally Unique Education and learning reading assessment.: Precisely how do you come to be an alternative teacher in Virginia?: To end up being a replacement trainer in Virginia, you need to put on specific districts. Each area has its very own demands for alternatives.
Becoming a teacher is one of the most sought-after jobs in the United States. Many parents have always wanted their children to experience early childhood and now there are more teachers than ever before.
If you want to become an early childhood teacher in Virginia, then there are some basic steps that you need to take first. First, you will need to attend an approved teaching academy. You can also get certified by your local education department.
Once you have completed your education you can apply for a teaching job in Virginia. It may be difficult at first, but if you focus on your goal and work at it, you can become a quality teacher and make a good living teaching other children.
The first step towards getting hired is to get recommendations from teachers who are already working with the school system. You can also submit your resume to a company that is looking for teachers.
The great thing about becoming a teacher is that you do not have to live in the same area where you are teaching for the rest of your life. Some states will only allow you to teach in certain areas.
You will also want to take courses that show you how to teach. These will help to prepare you for your job and you can earn the teacher license after completing all of your courses.
The best teacher you can hire will have good references. Make sure they are people that you can trust when you hire them.
There are many schools in Virginia and every school district has different requirements for teaching licenses. You can get started on your journey today.
It is best to start working with your local school system right away, so that you know what you are doing and can build your teaching career in the correct manner. If you get into trouble with the state education board you can get into trouble with the school system as well.
You will want to avoid making any controversial statements in your lectures or writing on your blog if you want to stay in good standing with the education board. If you make a statement that can offend anyone, you may lose your job.
A good teacher will always make a connection with their students and teach the topics they are interested in. Once a student is interested in something, they will learn it.
They should find new and interesting ways to teach the material in the classroom so they feel like they are not bored. This will help keep the class moving along. You will also be amazed at the impact that some simple things can have on the classroom.
A positive attitude is important. Students want to learn things that they can use in their everyday lives.
You should always keep yourself happy and upbeat. If you become a teacher who is not happy, you may not have the motivation you need to keep on learning.
You should always look your best when you are teaching. Students will be curious to see what your hair looks like and they may even be interested in the type of clothes that you wear.
Your classroom environment should be clean and uncluttered. If you do not have enough space to teach effectively, you will not be effective at all.
To make things more interesting in the classroom environment, there are many ways to make it fun. such as music, books, puzzles and other activities.
If you get the right training, you will be able to work in an established school system and you can take your passion and make it a career for life. Just remember that to become a good teacher you must learn the basics of the trade and then continue to grow and develop your skills as time goes by.
Career Options and Salary Info for Teachers
There are several areas where potential teachers can focus their teaching interests. Many assume that the only place where preschool teachers can work are actual preschools. This is not the case. For the most part, any school or organization that offers services for children who are younger than school age (five or younger), should be supervised and taught by experienced, educated, and licensed preschool teachers.
Public Schools:
Public school systems are adding pre-K programs to their offerings, which is creating a need for preschool teachers to work in these classrooms. These programs appeal to parents because, for those who have several children, being able to place their kids in the same school is more convenient and offers a level of peace of mind.
Private Childcare:
For parents who aren’t ready to place their preschool age children in a traditional school setting, a private childcare situation, where the child can also receive a level of education and learning from a trained professional, is a positive alternative.
Private Schools:
Schools that are nontraditional, religious, or otherwise offer a private school education are required to have teachers who are certified and licensed by the state of Virginia.
Head Start Programs:
Head Start helps children of low-income families with education, play, and social services. Trained preschool teachers are needed to help teach and assess the needs of these children and their families.
Community-based Programs:
Groups and organizations often offer before- and after-school care services for young children, as well as daycare services for preschool-aged children. These programs need licensed and trained teachers to run the programs and help secure funding.
Faith-based Programs:
Churches, synagogues, and other religious organizations can offer programs for their parishioners’ children and other kids in the community. From before- and after-school care programs to full-fledged preschools and more, licensed teachers are needed.
Military Programs:
Preschool children on military bases also require education offerings. The military sometimes provides this through on-base schools and services. They bring in a trained teacher to teach these school programs and it is a great opportunity to serve military families without necessitating actual military service.