Published February 11, 2009
Written by Grace Chen
Whether the economy is growing or recessionary, teaching is often considered to be one of the most stable careers. While teaching salaries and wages vary from state to state, most teaching positions tend to hold strongly amidst times of economic turmoil. Additionally, teaching often allows educators to pursue alternative careers and interests during the summer vacation season.
While teaching certainly offers an array of challenges and obstacles, many assert that the seasonal freedom and job security offer positive incentives for interested adults. With these perks and benefits, earning a teaching certification in community college may be a safe and strong professional move.
Benefits of Earning a Teaching Certification
As the Birmingham Mail reveals in their article “Teaching Offers More Secure Path in Troubled Times,” the average number of people now considering pursuing careers in education has gone up nearly 34 percent in the past year. As the economy encounters unstable bouts of turmoil, a rising number of professionals and students are seeking out the potential advantages of a teaching’s job security.
Interested candidates should seek out local or national scholarships and job offerings. For example, areas of high-need will often pay for a teacher’s training and certification program if he or she agrees to work in that particular region for a certain period of time. Specifically, many inner city schools or rural schools are considered to be “high need,” as their rate of student success paired with their high teacher turnover rates lead to a school’s overall struggle to thrive and flourish. By agreeing to teach in specific areas for a designated duration of time, many adults and future teachers can take advantage of completely free certification programs at local community colleges!
Ultimately, however, whether or not an interested future teacher has the option of a free certification program, the career of teaching tends to be a highly stable and safe career pathway. While both universities and community colleges offer certification courses, most experts agree that community college certification programs offer more affordable rates with lower overall tuition costs.
Teaching Certification Programs
Austin Community College (ACC)
Austin Community College, located in Austin, Texas, is one of the many community colleges offering diverse certification programs. According to ACC, qualified students can pursue certification programs in areas of math, science, bilingual education, special education, and other various certifications that are required by local schools. ACC’s programs strive to provide students with hands-on experiences alongside both theory and practice. With an array of educational opportunities and events, ACC students are able to network with local schools and educators, learn how to quickly respond to student needs, while furthermore understanding how to improve their teaching abilities with expert instructors and supervisors.
Individuals interested in ACC’s teaching certification program can take advantage of the future teacher offerings, in addition to the current teacher offerings. For example, non-current teachers who desire to become certified to work in a classroom can become trained as Para-Educators, where they will learn how to assist a regular-education teacher in his or her classroom. Additionally, ACC provides training for child care workers and substitute teachers as well. As ACC asserts, “We prepare teachers for the realities and rewards of the teaching profession by offering outstanding faculty and experienced teachers as facilitators.” With a myriad of options and opportunities, ACC caters its certification programs to meet the diverse interests of all educators.
McLennan Community College (MCC)
While Austin Community College provides both current and future teachers with various certification opportunities, McLennan Community College, located in Waco, Texas, provides an alternative pathway for teacher certification.
For students who have already earned their 4-year bachelor’s degree, MCC offers an array of post-graduate certification venues to provide students with training, support, and critical information to enter into the teaching profession. According to MCC, its initial education program began with just seven students; however, with the expanding need for teachers in recent years, MCC now caters its educational training to over 200 students in 20 different educational subject areas.
While attending MCC, students will be exposed to various classes that help prepare future teachers for issues in a typical classroom, while students later have an opportunity to engage in an internship experience. With the various support courses and the internship exposure, MCC students are able to gain real-world experiences to enhance their teaching knowledge and abilities. MCC helps guide its future teachers through these steps with expert supervision and support.
If you are considering becoming a certified teacher, your first stop may be your local community college. With incredibly affordable programs and expedited graduation times, you may be teaching in the classroom sooner than you think!
Resources:
Austin Community College, available at http://www.austincc.edu/teacher/
McLennan Community College, available at http://www.mclennan.edu/teach/
Birmingham Mail, “Teaching Offers More Secure Path in Troubled Times,” available at http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/family-life/learning-zone/2009/01/21/teaching-offers-more-secure-career-path-in-troubled-times-97319-22747728/
Read Related Courses in College Articles:
- Career Socialites Rejoice in Event Planning Programs at Community Colleges
Learn about how you can turn your passion for parties into a career through event planning courses at your local community college. - Graduate Early and Save Money by Testing Out of Community College Classes
Learn about how you can save thousands in tuition costs by testing out of community college classes. - The Benefits of Earning Honors Credit at Your Community College
Learn about the many benefits associated with taking honors courses at your local community college and what you should expect in these rigorous classes. - Community College Curriculum: Drastically Changed by Today's Economy
Learn about how today's economy has impacted community college curriculum, increased occupational programs, and grown specific career-preparation courses. - How a Community College Apprenticeship Improves Your Resume
Learn about the benefits of an apprenticeship during your time at community college and how it can benefit your resume and future career. - Obtaining Your Autism Teaching Certificate at Community College
Given the increasing number of diagnosed autistic children, the demand for autistic specialists grows as well. Learn about how you can specialize in autistic education by taking courses at your local community college. - How to Prepare for a Career in Electronic Health Records at Your Community College
Healthcare reforms will demand changes in healthcare facilities, including the usage of electronic health records. Learn how you can get a jump start in this field by pursuing a program at your local community college. - A Rewarding, Recession-Proof Nursing Career Starts at Community College
Nursing remains a highly rewarding career that will remain not only in demand, but recession-proof. Learn about how to begin your nursing career at community college. - Polish Your Job Candidacy with an Ethics Business Course
Learn about business ethics courses offered at community colleges and how the curriculum can enhance your job candidacy and resume. - Want to Lose Weight? How Your Community College Can Help
If you are looking to shed extra weight, your best source of support may be your community college. Learn about dieting programs, support groups, and even classes to help you get healthy. - How Community College Classes Can Improve Your Marriage
Community college workshops and credit courses are improving marriages across the country. Learn about how you can take advantage of these great resources at your local community college. - Culinary Programs at Community Colleges
Learn about highly acclaimed culinary programs at community colleges. - Calling All Entrepreneurs! How Community Colleges Can Help You Start Your Business
Learn about the courses and resources available at your community college that can help you start the business of your dreams. - Happier Families Start at Community College Parenting Courses
Your local community college is an excellent resource for free parenting classes. Take advantage of the learning opportunities and give your baby the best start in life. - Cosmetology Programs in Community Colleges
Learn about cosmetology programs in community colleges. - Should You Become a Paralegal in a Recession?
Learn about the opportunities you have to become a paralegal through community college courses, and why this is a recession-proof profession. - How to Become an Emergency Technician Quickly and Affordably
Learn about community college programs that can help you become certified as an emergency technician affordably and expeditiously. - Green Community College Programs Grow Red Hot
Learn about "green" educational opportunities in high-demand environmental fields that can start right at your local community college. - Renewable Energy Creates Opportunities for Community College Students
Learn how community colleges are evolving to provide opportunities in the growing fields of renewable energy. - Earn Your Scuba Diving Certification at Your Local Community College
Learn about how students and community members can earn their scuba certification through quality community college courses. - Fine Tune Your Vocals through Community College Singing Classes
Those with the gift of song can take their singing to the next level with classes at community college. Learn about the courses offered at community college that can help prepare you for a singing career. - From AM to FM: How Community College Can Prepare You for a Radio Career
Take advantage of career opportunities in the field of radio broadcasting by starting your training at your local community college. - How to Start Your Aquarium Science Career at Community College
If you are interested in the mysteries of the deep or marine life, consider pursuing an aquarium science career. Through innovative programs, community college students can embark upon an educational pathway in marine and aquarium based sciences. - How to Go Organic at Community College
Learn about how community colleges across the nation are offering organic gardening classes, as well as opportunities to grow your own organic crops! - Whistling All Animal Lovers! Pursuing an Animal Service Career at Community College
Learn about how courses and training at your local community college can open the doors to a fulfilling animal care and service career. - Impress the Best with Business Etiquette
Take advantage of your local community college's business etiquette courses, which can help you stand out from the candidate crowd upon graduation. - Could a Career in Welding Technology Solidify Your Financial Future?
Whether you have technical or creative skills, a career in welding technology can be rewarding and lucrative. Learn how you can start a welding career right at your local community college. - Race to Your Community Colleges New Auto Program
Take advantage of your local community college's auto program, which can prepare you for a lucrative career in the industry. In addition, you may have the potential to earn while you learn! - How to Dance Towards a College Degree
Learn about how you can pursue a rewarding dance career by starting at your local community college. Whether you are a dancer or aspire to be a choreographer, your community college may be a fantastic starting point. - A Dazzling Degree: How to Pursue Jewelry Design at Your Local Community College
Learn about the dazzling jewelry programs and certificates that are avaialble at your local community college campus. - Fashion Careers Start at Community College Runways
Learn about how you can embark upon a fashion career starting with the fashion design, merchandising and buying courses available at local community colleges. - Blast Off for Space Studies in Community College!
Learn about the space studies programs offered through community colleges that can prepare you for an engaging career with NASA or private space companies. - Sail Your Way Through Community College
Consider a career on the high seas and learn from sailing and seamanship programs available at your local community college. - How to Earn a College Degree Drinking Wine
If you enjoy wine, learn more about how you can earn a college degree in winemaking and wine tasting at your local community college. - Earn Your Film Degree At Community College
Learn about how you can pursue a degree and career in the entertainment industry by starting at your local community college. - Community College Air Force Programs
Learn more about the opportunities available through the Community College Air Force Program, and how the degrees may benefit your future service career. - Studio Art Programs at Community Colleges
Learn about the excellent traditional and modern art programs available at your local community college campus. - More than Mozart: Community College Music Programs
Learn about the new and dynamic music programs available at community colleges that explore more than just music theory. - Theater Opportunities at Community Colleges
Learn more about the powerful acting and theater programs available at your local community college. - Foreign Language Courses & Careers
Learn about the foreign language courses and career opportunities offered by community colleges. - Theology Programs in Community College: Pursuing Studies in Religion
Learn how you can pursue your career in religion and service through theology programs available through your local community college. - Why Community Colleges are Cutting Friday Classes
Learn about how budgetary constraints are prompting community colleges to only offer four-day school weeks.
All Categories:
Featured Partners:
