Florida needs teachers. Here’s how you can become one | Opinion

Heading into the current school year, Florida schools had 4,776 teaching jobs with no one to fill them. That number was down from last year, but still includes critical vacancies in core subjects like English, math, science and reading. Broward County alone faced a shortage of more than 100 teachers.

Though there may be some disagreement about the cause of these shortfalls, I don’t think anyone would disagree that Florida’s children deserve a teacher in every classroom. Allowing veterans with no educational experience to teach is an acknowledgement of the urgency of the problem, but what Florida’s schools need for the long term is a diverse group of qualified educators who are ready to teach and determined to stay in the profession. Fortunately, Florida is home to plenty of people with bachelor’s degrees who are considering a career change to the classroom. If you’re one of these aspiring teachers looking to earn your state certification, here’s how to get started today.

Research teacher certification programs

When choosing a certification program, look at information from state and national education organizations, and learn from experiences posted by learners and professionals. Specifically:

• Look up standings in Florida’s Department of Education database and reports;
• Learn about accreditations from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP);
• Read articles and reviews;
• Get an overview of Florida’s process so you know what you need to do and when.

“Fastest” and “easiest” do not mean “best”

Be wary of programs that tout themselves as “easy.” If learners boast about completing a program within a week, most likely, they did very little applicable coursework on the way to their certification. To get the most value for the time and money you’ll invest, search for programs run by accredited teachers and offering credit hours that can be applied to a college.

Consider how coursework applies to the classroom

Before beginning any program, determine whether the coursework looks applicable to the classroom. Does it offer other supporting materials, such as videos, that prepare you for real-life scenarios? Does it provide a practical program that guides you through your first week in the classroom?

Look for multiple mentorship opportunities

Some certification programs place teachers in classrooms with little support or guidance, which ultimately isn’t good for students or teachers.

Florida’s Mentoring and Induction for New Teachers (MINT), gives participants mentor support, coaching and professional development. The program also helps novice teachers with the process of meeting the Florida Professional Educator certification mandates.

That’s a great start, but as a new teacher, you’ll benefit from having multiple mentors, so it’s smart to look for a certification program that supports you through your first year in the classroom.

Explore the program’s hiring opportunities

The ultimate purpose of earning your certification is to get hired as a teacher. While course instructors aren’t going to go out and find you a job, they can and do build relationships that make their programs familiar to school districts. Administrators and principals are much more likely to hire someone who has gone through a program that has provided successful teachers in the past.

If you have a passion for education, Florida needs you. But before you start on your journey to becoming a teacher, be a good student and do your homework.

Andrew Rozell is the president of iteach, a company that provides teacher certification courses. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of North Texas and is currently pursuing a doctorate in the subject. He holds an active teaching license for grades 6-12.