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Edmonds School District

Teacher Education Advancement Program

What is the Teacher Education Advancement Program and Why Do We Have it?

Nationally, we are projected to experience significant teacher shortages in the near future.  The district recognizes this need and in response to feedback provided to district administration, the Teacher Education Advancement (TEA) program was created.  It was identified that we have a significant number of highly capable and talented paraeducators currently serving our students who have a desire to become teachers but need support in navigating the higher education process.  The TEA Coordinator is there to serve as a liaison for classified staff to get connected to the best-fit colleges and appropriate representatives.  The TEA Coordinator can also assist with the admission and financial aid processes to help jumpstart the college journey!

Who Does it Serve?

Serves any and all current classified staff at Edmonds School District who wish to pursue their teacher certification.

Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification

Alternative routes provide options for individuals currently working in a school system to earn their teacher certification.  Alternative route pathways are typically 12-14 months in length and cohort-based.  All four routes lead to a full residency certification.

Route 1 For classified instructional employees (e.g. paraeducators) with Associate’s degrees

Route 2 For classified staff with Bachelor’s degrees

Route 3 For “career changers” with Bachelor’s degrees

Route 4 For district staff with Bachelor’s degrees employed on conditional or emergency substitute certificates

For more detailed information on each route please visit the Professional Educator Standards Board page.

Important Dates         

FAFSA deadlines:

Cascadia College


Central Washington University

City University

Edmonds Community College 

Everett Community College

Grand Canyon University

University of Washington, Bothell

University of Washington, Seattle

Western Governors University

Washington State University

 

Admission deadlines:


Cascadia College 

Central Washington University

City University

Edmonds Community College 

Everett Community College

Grand Canyon University

University of Washington, Bothell campus

Secondary and Middle Level Teacher Certification Master of Education

K-8 Teacher Certification (Post-baccalaureate)

University of Washington, Seattle campus     


Undergraduate 

College of Teaching Graduate School

Western Governors University

Washington State University

 

General Scholarship deadlines:


Cascadia College 

Central Washington University

City University

Edmonds Community College

Everett Community College 

Grand Canyon University 

University of Washington, Bothell

University of Washington, Seattle 

Western Governors University

Washington State University
 

Contact Information

Neelim Randhawa
Recruitment and Retention Analyst
425-431-7141

FAQs

How much will it cost to earn my teacher certification?

It depends. Tuition is set by each college and university and length of time needed to earn your certification/degree should be taken into consideration. For educators who currently hold a bachelor’s degree and want to earn their certification through an alternate route certification, it could cost up to $15,000 in tuition. Please visit the specific college or university website to determine the cost.

How long will it take to earn my teacher certification?

Again, it depends. Your education history and earned credits will need to be evaluated by a college advisor.  Each college has the right to determine which credits will or will not be considered for transferability. If you do not have a college degree or no college experience, you can earn your teacher certification by completing a bachelor’s degree in education. If you are a full-time student, attending each quarter, the typical timeframe is 4 years in length. If you have a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated area, you may have to take prerequisite courses to be admitted in a graduate/master’s degree program to earn your teacher certificate. A master’s degree can take up to 2 years to complete. If you currently hold a bachelor’s degree and elect to earn a teacher certification through an alternative route program, the program is generally 1 year in length. For those who have a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated area and want to earn either their graduate degree or certification through an alternate route, you must successfully pass the WEST-B and/or WEST-E tests prior to admission. Each test typically costs $155.

Can I work while earning my degree/certification?

This is determined by the college/university and the program curriculum. Most colleges and universities understand students’ needs to work while pursuing their education so working while being a student is more possible than not. Many programs hold evening classes or online courses or a mixture of both (also known as a “hybrid” course). At the end of your program, you will need to complete a student teaching component. Student teaching is when you will become the teacher on record and facilitate classes, grade assignments, etc. under the guidance and mentorship of a qualified teacher. Typically during student teaching, work during the day is not possible. However, there could be flexibility in working during student teaching. This must be discussed and coordinated between the Human Resources, building administrators, the college/university, and you, the student.