Level 1: Outstanding administrators and teachers in our school system serve as facilitators to provide training in 180 hours of learning mo0duels and field experience. A practical approach using the most current research practices for effective teaching and learning embodies the instructional strategies used in the program. Ten modules are used to teach the required concepts of the Career Switcher Program. Additionally, the candidates will participate in several days of field experience during which they will be assigned to a master teacher.
Two cohorts are planned each year. During the winter cohort, most of the sessions, beginning in January, will be confidently held on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Some weekdays will be spent in the schools. Sessions last until early June. If there is sufficient enrollment, an additional summer cohort will be held. At the successful completion of Level 1, Career Switchers will receive a one-year eligibility license.
Level 2: Because of the high demand for teachers. We expect all Career Switchers to be employed to complete Level 2 of the program. During the first year of teaching, Career Switchers will participate in an additional 20 hours of seminars to follow up on learning module content from Level 1. They will also be assigned a trained mentor who will work with them during their first year of teaching. Successful completion of Level 2 will result in the gaining of a five-year renewable professional teaching license.
Level 3: Level 3 is a post-preparation phase for a Career Switcher candidate for whom a one-year extension of the eligibility license is requested. During this year, any area(s) needing improvement will be addressed.
Training Modules:
· Human growth and Development
· Curriculum and Instruction
· Lesson Planning
· Reading and language Development
· Classroom Management
· Standards of Learning
· Technology
· Communication
· School Law
· Special Education