Is your dream to become an English teacher in Texas? While the end goal of being in the classroom may feel far away, the reality is that the right approach can put your career within reach. Do not allow obstacles like a lack of a bachelor’s degree, a busy career you are looking to leave, or a busy family life to keep you away from the career you are passionate about embracing. The Lone Star State is an exciting place to be an educator, and the process is relatively straightforward. Here is a look at how to become an English teacher in this vibrant state.

Earn a bachelor’s degree

The first step in achieving your dream of becoming a classroom English teacher in the Lone Star State is to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. This institution MUST be recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Ideally this degree will focus on English education for the grade level you most want to teach.

However, many people earn their degree and then decide to enter the education field. They may not necessarily have an education degree already. This is not an obstacle that should keep you out of the classroom. In these cases, there is still the chance to enter the classroom! Alternative teacher certification programs like Teacher Builder exist to help you get the training you need in order to become an educator – Even if your earn your bachelor’s degree in another field.

Or consider another route to certification

Do not despair if you do not have a bachelor’s degree. Instead of entering a four-year program, you can still become an English teacher in Texas. You may just need to take another route. For example, at Teacher Builder, we offer a path to teaching that leverages your work experience. As long as you have 2-5 years of full-time experience in a certain field, you may be able to pursue teaching certification in that field. If you would like to discover how you might qualify for certification, we would be happy to talk with you about your options!

Enroll in an educator preparation program

Once you have your degree, you will need to continue your education through a teacher prep program. This program MUST be state-approved and should allow you to specialize in the field of English if you wish to become an English teacher in Texas. If you earn a bachelor’s degree in English education, your required educator training will be included in your degree.

However, if you are like many thousands of other aspiring teachers, you may not have received a degree in education but still hold the dream of entering the classroom. In this case, you can take an alternative teaching certification program, like Teacher Builder. These programs are often relatively efficient and some, like Teacher Builder, allow you to complete your training online on your schedule.

Pass your teacher certification exams

Once you complete your teacher prep program, you will need to demonstrate your education and subject matter knowledge through specific exams. Your teacher certification preparation program should support you in identifying the appropriate exams to become an English teacher and provide you with in-depth and informative study materials to help you prepare efficiently for these exams. At Teacher Builder, we have a very high passing rate that indicates the comprehensive nature of our 24/7 online curriculum.

Apply for certification through Texas

Once you pass your exams and receive confirmation from your preparation program that you are eligible, you may apply for your state teaching certification. This process usually involves the following steps:

• Create a Texas Education Agency login.
• Access the Education Certification Online System.
• Submit your application.
• Submit your application fee.
• Undergo fingerprinting.
• Follow any other required steps as outlined on ECOS.
• Wait to receive your printable certificate online.

Once you apply for your certification, there may be a wait period for your application to be approved. You should be able to keep track of your application status through the ECOS system. However, once you complete the process, as long as you are eligible, you should just be a short wait away from earning your certification and beginning your Texas teaching career.

Pursue a teaching job

Once you receive your certification, you can apply for English teaching jobs throughout Texas. The state offers abundant job opportunities in the area of English, making it the ideal place to pursue your dream career.

At Teacher Builder, we offer a fast, flexible, and efficient online certification program that puts the costs and the timeline of becoming certified within your reach. If you want to become an English teacher in the Lone Star State, or if you want to begin teaching in any one of dozens of other subject areas, let us know. We would be happy to help you prepare for your future today.

 

Disclaimer

This article does not contain legal, educational, or government advice. As regulations can change from time to time, readers are advised to check with their local education departments to receive up-to-date information.