Are you contemplating a career change and passionate about shaping young minds? Tidewater Community College (TCC) offers a robust career switcher program designed to help professionals like you transition into teaching in Virginia’s public schools. This intensive 18-week program is specifically tailored for individuals holding bachelor’s degrees outside of education who are eager to become certified teachers.
The EducateVA program, running from January 17th to May 13th, provides a pathway to secondary-level teaching certification (grades 6-12). Virginia public schools are actively seeking educators in a variety of crucial subjects, presenting excellent opportunities for program graduates. High-demand areas include core subjects and specialized fields:
- Mathematics (Upper-level)
- Science (Physics, Earth and Space Science)
- Social Studies
- English
- Physical Education
- Technical Education (Computer-Aided Design)
- Business and Marketing
To be eligible for this transformative career switcher program at TCC, candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution and demonstrate five years of relevant work experience. This program recognizes the valuable skills and knowledge that professionals from other fields bring to the classroom.
The application deadline for the upcoming session is November 18th. A critical component of the application process is passing the Praxis II exam in your chosen subject area and the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA). Kimberly M. Ogden, director of the EducateVA program at the Community College Workforce Alliance in Richmond, advises prospective students to act quickly, noting, “Praxis results take three weeks, so time is of the essence.” For those who miss the November deadline, Fall 2017 applications are due by May 17th.
To provide comprehensive information and support, EducateVA hosts monthly webinars for interested individuals. Mark your calendars for upcoming sessions from noon to 1 p.m. on:
- October 19th
- November 16th
- December 14th
- January 18th
Register for these informative webinars and learn more at educateva.com.
The 18-week Career Switcher Program Tcc blends flexible learning with essential in-person interaction. The curriculum includes six Saturday sessions, conveniently delivered via distance learning at TCC’s Advanced Technology Center in Virginia Beach. Complementing these sessions are six online courses and a mandatory 40-hour field internship, providing practical classroom experience.
Investment in your new career is made affordable through the New Virginia Economy Workforce Credential Grant. While the program cost is $3,900, eligible participants can reduce their expenses to just $1,300 through this grant.
The demand for qualified teachers in Hampton Roads is significant. “Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Hampton are actively hiring our program completers,” states Ogden, underscoring the strong job prospects for graduates of this career switcher program.
Take the first step towards a rewarding career in education. For complete program details, visit educateva.com. For direct inquiries, contact Kimberly Ogden at [email protected] or 804-523-5671.
