I’m also looking for a job, finally. I’m returning to software engineering with the hopes of eventually integrating my interest in education.

(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:

1. Sign up for the CBEST
2. Get a TB test
3. Get two letters of recommendation (for volunteering)
4. 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.