Teacher Shortage Drawing New Educators From Different Careers
SACRAMENTO (CBS 13) - With a teacher shortage across the state, some people are taking the opportunity to make a career change. Four in ten California teachers have made the switch to education from a different field.
"Before this, I was actually a technical writer at Golden One Credit Union," said Melissa Robinson-Agles, a 7th grade math teacher in West Sacramento. "I really needed to get into something where I felt like I was making a connection with the community and giving back."
After 12 years in the corporate world, she made the journey into the classroom.
"It is very rewarding when you can connect with the kids," she said.
Half of California teachers say they have larger class sizes than normal and they're seeing more classrooms run by substitutes.
So if you're looking to make the switch and get into the classroom, University of Phoenix Academic Dean Pamela Roggman has these tips:
- Become a substitute teacher
- Volunteer in a school or with community youth organizations.
- Do informational interviews
- Find a mentor
- Find the licensing program that's right for you
"That gives you an idea of what it's like to be in the classroom," Robinson-Agles said.
She spent more than two years steadily working towards her degree. But she said it could take as little as 12 months to earn the right credentials. The program you choose will likely depend on the grade level you decide to teach.
In California, you must have a bachelor's degree. Secondly, you'll need to enroll in a teacher preparation program. Lastly, you'll need to pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) and the California Subject Examinations for teachers.
"So much push back from teenagers is 'when I'm I going to need to know this?'" she said.
For Robinson-Agles, working outside of the classroom has given her the real-world experience it takes to be able to answer them.
"We're going to use this to do something else that you might need," she said.
