How Can I Get an Emergency Teacher Certification in Texas 2023

Teachers seeking to work in Texas as emergency teachers must obtain certification to function in schools without licensed teachers, and a position needs to be filled.

Basically, to obtain this type of certification, you are expected to complete the training required for a regular teaching license. This article will provide you with all the information you need to obtain your certification requirements for admission into such programs.

Table of contents

Who is an Emergency Teacher?

An Emergency teacher is an individual who provides quality learning and instruction to students in the absence of the regular classroom teacher.

An emergency or substitute teacher follows the school rules and calendar and may be appointed to work in any school and be given an assignment any day available.

However, since it is a temporary position on-call and can be terminated at any time for a lawful reason, there are no compensations during school holidays, breaks, or during the summer months.

In addition, an emergency teacher is expected to communicate with students and other staff effectively and cooperate with the school personnel.

What Is Emergency Teacher Certification? 

Emergency teaching certification is a process where individuals who do not meet the criteria for ordinary certification are granted temporal teaching certificates. It is procuring teachers in urban areas to address shortages of certified teachers.

Also, Alternative certification programs (ACPs) offer certification that may allow you to teach while completing the requirements for the emergency certification.

ACPs equip teaching candidates with the right skills and practices to educate students in a learning environment. These programs can take from one to three years to complete and may include.

However, students can complete both the coursework and practical training of these programs between one to two years. Many are located in universities, school colleges, and private bodies.

Certification Requirements

You must meet the following requirements to gain admission into the emergency teacher certification program.

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree.
  •  You must have experience or training in the subject you will teach.
  •  Must pass a criminal background check.
  •  You must be at least 18 years of age.
  •  be very fluent in English
  •  must have a GPA of 2.5 to 3.0

Other requirements include a resume, an interview, and a personal essay. Also, transcripts from previous educational institutions.

In addition, to work under an emergency teacher certification, you must decide what you would love to teach, select an accredited texas ACP, secure a teaching position, and apply for a certificate.

Employment Rate of Emergency Teachers in Texas 

Texas education agency reports that “In most academic years, the public school system gained more teachers than it lost. “

Currently, high school teachers in Texas have relatively high employment compared to other states. Based on the 2018 TEA data, the public school teaching force hires 41,122, which 11.35% equivalent.

Also, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Number of Jobs in 2018 for the high school teachers was 1,072,500 and the 

Job Outlook is 4% (As fast as average), meaning low demand for emergency teaching services due to high employment levels.

However, enrolling in ACPs is still very useful in applying for a standard certificate, as they thoroughly provide students with the internship experience, and examinations required to become certified educationists in Texas.

Emergency Teacher Salary

Choosing the teaching profession is one of the best decisions one can make in life. However, teachers can impact lives in various learning stages and levels.

Although teaching is a noble profession, wages could be very discouraging. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the Median Pay with typical Entry-Level Education(Bachelor’s degree ) for an emergency teacher is between $59,780 and $60,320 per year.

How do I get an emergency Certificate for teaching?

If you love to teach, you will find ACPs helpful in acquiring emergency teacher certification and standard certification. Basically, ACPs provide you with field experience under the supervision of teachers with the standard certification. The following are the list of schools in Texas that currently offer ACPs

 Texas Lutheran University 

Texas Lutheran University was founded in 189 and is located on 184 scenic acres in Seguin, Texas, near San Antonio and Austin. TLU has approximately 1,300 students and a class average of 20 students.

The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges(SACSCS) to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees.

Program Specific Accreditation includes;

  • Teacher Education: Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC)
  •  Business Administration: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
  •  Athletic Training: Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
  •  School of Music: National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
  •  Nursing: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

TLU provides intensive supervision that consists of structured guidance and ongoing support for the teacher mentoring program. Also ensures that the teacher demonstrates satisfactory progress toward full certification as prescribed by the State. 

Application fee: $55 

Area of certification 

  • Science 
  •  Math 
  •  English Language
  •  Arts and Reading 
  •  Social Studies 
  •  History 
  •  Life Science  
  •  Physical Science 
  •  Social Studies 
  •  Music 
  •  Physical Education (Kinesiology) 
  •  Spanish

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South Texas College

South Texas College is the largest higher education institution in the south of San Antonio and was founded in 1993.

Basically, South Texas College is the only school in Texas to offer four baccalaureate degrees. Also, the school has one virtual campus, two higher education centers, and a faculty and staff of more than 2,700.

The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges(SACSCC) and offers certificate options of more than 120-degree programs, including associate degrees in liberal art, social science, business, math, science, and technology, among others.

South Texas College also offers 123 degree programs, certifications, continuing, professional, and workforce education programs, and Dual Credit courses for eligible high school students.

In addition, the school offers 72% of the students some form of financial aid, excluding Dual Enrollment. However, the Student-Faculty Ratio is 22.1%

The Alternative certification program courses for STC include the following:

  • Child Development Associate: 120 hrs length
  •  Substitute Teacher: 12 hrs length

Lastly, the fees depend on the type of program selected, as some programs may require additional costs. In addition, each program requires specific admission criteria such as reading level, high school or GED credential, and college hours.

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 University of Houston 

The Council accredits the University of Houston for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the American Psychological Association.

In 2016, UH became the first college in Texas to receive accreditation for the educator-preparation programs under CAEP.

The tuition & fees for Academic Year is $11,276 for the residents and $26,936 for the non-residence.

However, tuition and fees are based on two 15-hour semesters in the academic year and vary based on your college.

 Area of certification

UH offers the following certification areas for students who want to be teachers:

  • Core subjects
  •  Bilingual supplemental
  •  Special education
  •  Art
  •  Dance
  •  English language arts
  •  History
  •  Life science
  •  Math
  •  Music
  •  Physics
  •  Science
  •  Languages Other Than English
  •  Social studies
  •  Theater

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McLennan Community College 

McLennan Community College is located at 1400 College Drive, Waco, Texas 76708, USA. 

The school offers Financial Aid that helps students find the resources to pursue their educational and professional goals. About 70% of students at MCC qualify for financial aid.

MCC offers programs that train individuals with a bachelor’s degree who desire to enter the teaching profession. They offer 26 content areas, including Trades and Industry. Students must enroll in the three courses listed below.

  • A Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 course
  •  A content specialization course; and,
  •  An internship consists of two semesters, or one semester of clinical teaching (student teaching)

After the state certification exams are completed, candidates will be awarded a standard certification to teach in Texas schools.

MCC also offers scholarships, grants, loans, work opportunities, and other financial assistance programs to students who qualify. for more information about the school, click on the button below.

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Huston-Tillotson University 

Huston-Tillotson University is an institution of higher education founded on January 17, 1881, located in Austin.

The University awards undergraduates four-year degrees in business, education, the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, science, and technology.

Fees, Financial Aid, and Scholarships Fees HT ATCP charge a $100 application fee and they will process no application until the fee has been received. The application fee covers the transcript evaluation, the interview, the online LAASI assessment, and other items necessary for processing the application. This fee is non-refundable.

The HT ATCP tuition is $6000

HT ATCP is offered in a three-semester sequence, with Phase 1 being the initial training before internship and Phases 2 and 3 consisting of the candidate’s internship or clinical teaching as well as ongoing training.

Area of Certification

All Level Certificates

  • Physical Education
  •  Special Education
  •  Music

Single Subject Certificates

  • English, Language Arts, & Reading
  •  Mathematics
  •  Science
  •  Life Sciences
  •  Physical Sciences
  •  Social Studies
  •  History
  •  Computer Science
  •  Technology Applications

Supplemental Certifications

  • Bilingual Supplemental
  •  English as a Second Language Supplemental
  •  Special Education Supplemental

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Candidates looking to become an alternative teacher must hold a bachelor’s degree and also complete an accredited educator program at a recognized university. To obtain licensure, you must have at least a 2.75 GPA in the subject area you sought for licensure.

Whenever there is a shortage of licensed teachers, and a position needs to be filled, districts employ temporal teachers, including certifying individuals, using one of the following:

> Alternative certification program (ACP)

> School district permit

> Emergency certification

> Temporary Classroom Assignment Permit (TCAP)

> Nonrenewable permit

> Texas Education Agency (TEA) waiver

Texas Education Agency makes a new rule that all ELAR teachers are not required to obtain ELS certification. Apparently, the ELS certification requirements only apply to English educators and can be acquired through the state approved ELS program.

Conclusion

An Emergency Teacher is pursuing a standard teaching certification and wants to explore the teaching profession. In Texas, an emergency or substitute teacher certification option is used when a school has a shortage of licensed teachers and has a vacancy that needs to be filled.

However, teachers under this certification are expected to complete their training requirements for a regular teaching license if they wish to continue teaching in the same position.

References

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