Want to teach in California?
A few people have asked me about what exactly I’ve had to do to go into teaching. It is a very long, confusing process (and probably unnecessarily so) and having gone through it I thought other folks might be interested in my experience.
(updated on 8/29/2003!)
The short story is that its a lot of paperwork and tests to get in, but nothing all that complex. Once you start the process, it turns out that the actual steps are simpler than they sound, once you get down to it.
I started the process in the spring of 2002. I looked at all the other permutations on “SF” and “U” (USF, SFU, UCSF, CCSF, etc) SFSU seems to be the most straight forward teaching program in the city, has a good reputation, and is cheap to boot. (something on the order of $2000/year) The program lasts one year, of full-time schooling.
The state has requirements for teaching programs like SFSU and will grant you a Credential upon completion of one of these programs. The state (not SFSU) also gives emergency credentials through school districts if you convince them that you’re getting your credential soon. Due to the budget crisis here in California, they’ve really been cracking down on uncredentialed teachers, by laying them off. (esp. those not currently enrolled in a program) The state does not require a masters, just an undergrad and the credential. A masters also does not substitute for a credential.
The only other detail you should think about this early is grade level. If you want to teach Middle School or High School, you get a “Single Subject” credential and have to demonstrate competency in the subject you want to teach.
If you’re teaching elementary school, you get a “Multiple Subject”credential and have to take the MSAT.
Knowing those details, you can begin the process. Even if you’re only remotely interested in teaching, you should do two things:
- Sign up for the CBEST
- Get a TB test
- Get two letters of recommendation (for volunteering)
- Start looking for a school to volunteer
All of these things need to be done well in advance, but don’t commit you to anything. The CBEST is offered something like once a month, and it takes some time to get the results back to your school, so be sure to get that out of the way first. The CBEST is a really straight forward test - its pass/fail and the questions are easier than the SAT.
SFSU requires 45 hours of volunteer hours as a teachers aide in a classroom, (perhaps this is due to state requirements? I’m not sure) and you’ll need a TB test in order to physically be in the school with students. This also means you can’t just shelve books in the library or to be a chaperone on a field trip. You have to be in the classroom on a regular basis. This may seem like a pain but it was really one of my favorite experiences in recent memory.
If you’re working a full time job, keep in mind that it could take 2-8 months to get in those 45 hours. In San Francisco, I went through San Francisco School Volunteers and they placed me 1-2 weeks from when I first applied to their program. They require two short letters of recommendation, which you can later use for your SFSU application. I then had to spend 3-4 weeks harassing the volunteer coordinator at the school I was at and talking to math teachers before I had a regular gig.
After this minor hassle eveything went very smoothly. I spent 4-5 hours a week working in 2 classes for about 7 months (I got my 45 hours out of the way in about 3) As I mentioned, this ended up being an incredibly rewarding experience, and I was very sad when the school year ended. I had grown very attached to the classroom and the kids, and this really confirmed for me that I wanted to be a teacher.
The next step is to finally apply. You’ll need to gather up your transcripts from colleges you’ve attended, and possibly ask your old professors/advisors/friends/collegues for more elaborate letters of recommendation.
Once you have your credential, you can teach anywhere in CA. Whatever you do, if you’re even thinking about going into teaching, start the process early! There is a lot of prep before you can even
complete the SFSU application, including tests, volunteer hours, and a whole host of random paperwork. Even if you’re not 100% sure about going into teaching, start the process anyway.
The key is to start early. Even if you decide not to go into teaching, what’s the worst that can come of it? You take a test that you don’t need to study for, you know that you don’t have TB, and you’ve got a transcript in case you go back to school for something else!
On a personal note, I have found much of this process very tedious, but the volunteering in particular has been very enjoyable. I was pretty sure that I wanted to be a teacher but the volunteering really clinched it for me - I learned about new, interesting challenges as well as unexpected rewards just from being in a classroom and helping kids learn. It only served to reinforce my interest in teaching. Honestly, at some level I was concerned that teaching wouldn’t be challenging enough and that the kids would be more difficult to work with. The challenges turned out to be far less defined than my current job as a software developer, but extremely challenging none the less. It’s also surprising the respect you can get from many kids just by treating them with respect and acting confidently.
June 27th, 2003 at 8:18 am
I would like to relocate to California and find a teaching job there. I live in NY and I am almost done with my master’s in elementary education but still have to do student teaching and take exams. How should I go about this?
July 17th, 2003 at 6:29 pm
Dear Alex,
I am currently finishing my undergrad BA in psychology at Canada. My question is for a non-American would the process be similar? and if I wanted to pursue say an emergency permit for just a year, which areas in California, would I be most likely to get this type of employment for?
Thanks for your time
Vince
August 27th, 2003 at 7:56 pm
I am relocating to The Los Angeles area and would like to teach Elementary or Middle School music/choral. Where can I find out the best resources for locating vacancies in this area of teaching? Thank you, Jill
September 4th, 2003 at 7:03 pm
Dear sir,
I am currently teaching English in Tokyo. I teach primary, secondary and adults English. I already have a degree so I would like to do a 1 year course that provides me with a teaching license.
Can your organisation help me? If not can you recommend somewhere in Califonia that can?
Thank you for your time.
October 14th, 2003 at 11:56 am
Dear Alec,
My wife is currently on a dependent visa in California and is a qualified teacher with 2 years of experience in India. Could you guide us as to what should be done to start teaching in California?
Thanks for your time.
Jas
December 20th, 2003 at 10:37 am
Dear Alec,
I’ve been teaching for 8 tears here in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I have a masters in education too. What’s the process involved to teach in San Diego? Is passing the CBEST the equivalent to obtaining a California license?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Kelly
January 14th, 2004 at 10:03 pm
hi! i am a graduate of BS Psychology from one of the University in the Philippines, am i going to has the same process as you did? what are the things i need to do? can you help me? thanks liza
January 15th, 2004 at 9:50 am
A number of people have asked “what do I do, this is my background…”
The simple fact is that the process is the same for everyone, no matter where you got your degree, and even if you already have a masters in education. I believe if you have a masters then you MAY get placed out of one or two classes, but you still need to go through the program.
The CBEST is basically a test to get INTO a teaching program, it is not a “teaching test” in any way. It is easier than the SAT, they just want to make sure you’re not an idiot.
I can’t offer individual help, I’m just a guy going through the process myself.
January 18th, 2004 at 12:51 pm
Dear Alec,
I teach in Long Island, NY and am considering relocating to the West Coast. Does my NY Certification hold any water in California? What would I have to do in order to become certified in California?
January 22nd, 2004 at 5:50 am
Greetings from Philadelphia… I’m currently doing my student teaching, and hope to become a certified teacher this year. What would I need to do to afterwards to obtain reciprocity in
california? Looking forward to hearing from you soon…
February 10th, 2004 at 4:33 pm
I am a certified teacher from Canada. My question is for a non-American, what would I have to do to teach in Los Angeles?
cathy
March 3rd, 2004 at 12:48 pm
I have passed the teacher’s aide testing. I am wanting to work at Toyon School, which is in the Gateway School District. After completing my testing, I am no told I need to complete and pass a much more difficult test that I believe is not necessary until 2006. I have hundreds of volanteer hours at this school and am constantly being asked by teachers and the principal at this school to please take the aide’s test, which I have. Now the school district insists that in order to work here I must complete and pass the test that’s not required until 2006. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thank you
March 20th, 2004 at 1:13 pm
I am looking to teach history, or any soical studies discipline in California. Social Studies positions are far and few betweee. I have a BS in secondary social studies ed and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. What do you think?
June 1st, 2004 at 10:13 am
Dear Alex,
I am thinking of relocating to California (L.A) from Massachusetts. I have my Master Degree in Education and I have taught for Boston system for the last 8 years. What step, course, test do I need to do to be qualified. Please help!
June 21st, 2004 at 11:57 am
I’m from Montana and I just graduated with a BS in elementary education. I want to get out of Montana and teach in California but I don’t know how to go about finding a job there. I also don’t want to teach in a very large town because I’m from a small town backgroung. What should I do?
September 5th, 2004 at 6:44 pm
Hi,
I’m about to take the CBEST and was wondering how long the certification will last for? Is it a test you need to retake each year or renew on a regular basis?
Thanks!
September 19th, 2004 at 9:56 am
Dear Alec
Could you help me with some information about teaching English Literature in Colleges and schools in California. I alrady hav a good degree in English and am currently studying for my post-graduate teaching certificate. I am a U.K resident and currently reside in Manchester, England.
Thanks
Duncan.
January 28th, 2005 at 11:25 am
Hi.
I was wondering if you could give me any information on programs and/or companies that would aid in sponsoring me for a teaching visa in the US (I received my degrees in Canada). I am in the process of getting my credentials in California now. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
March 10th, 2005 at 2:36 pm
I have a NJ elementary K-8 teaching certificate & 2 years of teaching experience. I have passed the CBEST test. What steps do I need to take next to teach in California? Please advise. Thanks!
March 15th, 2005 at 7:43 pm
Dear Alec
I am Canadian with a teaching license in elementary education. I graduated from a New York college. What process do I need to do to go to California and teach?
Thanx
Mike Watson