Digging For Educational Roots: Professional Development & Certification Renewal

Your days are filled with designing lesson plans, conferencing with parents, meetings, teaching daily lessons, assessments, and correcting papers. Days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months, and months turn into years. Then the day arrives when you realize that you need to renew your teaching credentials. You might have 6 months or maybe one year to finish a large amount of coursework. What do you do?

I have found myself in this predicament. First, it is time to show yourself some grace and room to breathe. We get immersed in the job and family life. Be encouraged you are not alone. There is good news! Many museums, universities, libraries, schools, and unions offer professional development courses (year-around). You may want to consider a field study or travel option. This possibility could merge your family goals/dreams and professional certification requirements.

Step 1: Contact the university in which you received your BA or MA degree. Universities and colleges hire individuals who specialize in teacher certification counseling. Many universities offer online courses. Check with the university for professional development opportunities online or on-campus (non-degree course work). You will need special consideration using these credits towards a particular degree. Many endorsements can be added to your resume by taking national tests like the NES or the West E. Washington assigned specific subjects that need to have classroom credits and a test. Your state education webpage will let you know what path to take to add more endorsements.

Professional Certification Info: Washington State

Step 2: Find your website for your State Department of Education. Review your certification requirements. Many state departments of education offer professional development courses.

-Washington

-Idaho

-Oregon

-Montana

Step 3: What type of coursework would enhance my classroom instruction? What are my options? Washington State has a new STEM clock hour requirement. Be sure to check out the Educational Service District near your school or home.