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Yes, Texas Teachers is fully accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). We are listed as A+ Texas Teachers under Region 4 on the TEA list of accredited programs. After completing your training, you will be eligible to teach anywhere in the state of Texas, in the certification area(s) listed on your certificate.
Texas Teachers is the leading certification program in the state, with more teachers hired each year than most programs combined. Since 2005, approximately 55,000 teachers have been hired from our program. Annually, approximately 55%-60% of all new teachers in Texas are hired from alternative certification programs.
The length of the program is up to you! Our online training is self-paced and designed for you to complete on your own time, so if you are currently working it’s not a problem! Once you have completed your online training, you will then start your new career with a full-paid Internship Year.
You are issued a TEA Intern Certificate for your Internship Year. Upon successful completion of the program, you are issued the same TEA Standard Certificate that is provided by universities and other certifying entities across the state. The Standard Certificate is the full certification for all teachers in Texas and is renewed every 5 years with the TEA by completing CPE hours.
Most states reciprocate Texas teaching certificates, although certification requirements vary from state to state. To determine the reciprocation policies and procedures, please contact the state’s department of education.
We are listed as A+ Texas Teachers under Region 4 on the TEA list of accredited programs.
Yes, Teachers of Tomorrow alumni program supplies additional resources. Learn more.
Yes, Teachers of Tomorrow scholarship program awards a full ride to selected future teachers. The scholarship program submissions process tends to open up at the end of the year. Learn more.
All COVID-19 Updates can be found under our Resource tab. Learn more.
All TEA updates can be found on our blog on the Resource tab. Learn more.
You can get started now! We have rolling admissions throughout the year – all you need is a bachelor’s degree and your official transcripts from all colleges with 12 or more hours towards a bachelor’s degree. See Transcripts for more information. Apply now while collecting your transcripts.
It’s free and easy to apply to the Texas Teachers program. Simply fill out the application form at https://www.texasteachers.org/apply. Our program advisors use the information you submit in your application to give you personalized advice about your new teaching career.
There are no documents required to fill out our free application, but you will be required to send us your official transcripts with your bachelor’s degree if you decide you are ready to get certified to teach. See Transcripts for more information.
You are eligible for contingency admission into the program during the semester in which you graduate. Your transcript must show current coursework in progress. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree but have worked in a licensed technical field, contact us about Trade & Industry qualifications.
You will receive an email from us confirming that your application has been received.
After submitting your application, your first step is to send us your official transcripts for your bachelor’s degree. If your university’s registrar can submit your transcripts electronically, please have them sent to transcripts@texasteachers.org. If your university does not use an electronic service, mail them to one of our multiple locations.
There are options for admission into the program if your GPA is below a 2.5. Please apply to the program and an advisor will contact you to discuss these options.
You are not required to complete a background check for program admission. However, you will be required to complete a fingerprinting background check through the Texas Education Agency before you can begin working for a school.
You do not have to be a US citizen to apply to our program. Please see our resources for Non-US Candidates for more information.
No, you do not need classroom experience. Our program is designed for all types of candidates, including those who have not yet taught in a classroom. You will complete classroom observations as part of the program before you actually begin teaching. We do also recommend completing some classroom experience (volunteer or tutor) to increase your marketability when applying for teaching positions.
Yes – we have a FREE program overview monthly.
After submitting your application, a program advisor will contact you to conduct a personalized interview and give you advice on pursuing your teaching certification. You will need to have your official transcripts sent to us, either by having your university send them electronically to transcripts@texasteachers.org, or by mailing which we do not recommend. One of our multiple locations can receive them if needed.
Once we receive your official transcript(s) and conduct your interview, you will receive your offer of admission via email within 3 to 5 business days.
Yes, we are required by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to collect and store official transcripts from all colleges with 12 or more hours towards a bachelor’s degree. Transcripts do not need to be in a sealed envelope from your university. We can accept an open, original copy. However, we cannot accept scanned, faxed, or photocopied transcript(s).
You are eligible for contingency admission into the program during the semester in which you graduate. Your transcript must show current coursework in progress. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree but have worked in a licensed technical field, contact us to learn more about Trade & Industry qualifications.
You can send your official transcript(s) multiple ways. The quickest and preferred method is to have your university send electronic officials directly to transcripts@texasteachers.org. If your university does not have an electronic option, and the ONLY way is mailing them in then you can send them to:
Texas Teachers of Tomorrow
2401 Fountain View Dr.
Suite 700
Houston, TX 77057
Once we receive your transcripts electronically from your institute of higher learning, we are usually able to process them within 3-5 business days. We will notify you as each transcript is processed.
Once we process your transcripts, the information is entered into our system and the physical copy is stored off-site, so we typically are unable to provide a copy. It is best if you obtain a copy by other means before sending it to us.
All you pay to get started is the $295 enrollment fee plus the TEA technology fee of $35. This low up-front cost gives you immediate access to your online training and all the resources you need to get hired as a teacher. The remaining balance of $4,350 is only due once you are hired as a teacher. It is then paid back throughout your Internship Year of teaching, usually through payroll deductions over a ten-month period.
Once you are admitted, you can set up your Intern Portal login and pay your enrollment fee of $295. You will need to pay your enrollment fee to get started on your training and to be approved to take any content exams.
The remaining balance of $4,350 is not due until you are hired as a full-time teacher. It is then paid back throughout that first year of teaching, usually through payroll deductions over a ten-month period.
No, the program balance is always interest-free.
If you are unable to complete your requirements during your Internship Year, or if your Principal recommends you need another year on your Intern Certificate before receiving your Standard Certificate, you will need to pay an extension fee to teach another year. Extension fees are explained in your Student Handbook.
In order to receive an extension, you must first apply for the appropriate certificate (Intern or Probationary) through TEA and submit a new I Got a Job form electronically through your Intern Portal.
1. If you have passed the PPR, you should apply for a Probationary Certificate (instructions). If you have not passed the PPR exam and have not already taught on an Intern Certificate, you should apply for an Intern Certificate (instructions). If you have already taught on an Intern Certificate, you must pass the PPR exam to qualify for your Standard Certificate or a Probationary Certificate Extension.
2. Log in to TEA’s web site.
3. Click the “Applications” tab on the left hand side.
4. Click on “Intern/Probationary Certificate Texas Program.”
5. Click on “Apply for Certification.”
6. Remember that our recommending entity is “A+ Texas Teachers.”
7. Submit a new I Got a Job form electronically through your Intern Portal.
8. Provide your district an updated Statement of Eligibility (SOE) to complete and return to Texas Teachers. The SOE is attached to the Enrollment Letter in your Intern Portal can be requested at SOERequest@TexasTeachers.org.
9. You may need to set up automated extension fee payments. If necessary, Texas Teachers will email you to do so once the above steps are complete.
All you pay to get started is the $295 enrollment fee and the TEA technology fee of $35. The remaining balance of $4,350 is not due until you are hired as a teacher. It is then paid back throughout your Internship Year of teaching, usually through payroll deductions over a ten-month period.
Since Texas Teachers is not an institute of higher learning, the program fees are not eligible for financial aid. However, the program balance is typically payroll deducted over the course of your first year of teaching, so that it is more manageable.
Texas Education Agency Technology Fee @ $35
Certification Exam @ $58-$116
Background Check / Fingerprinting @ $52.20
Intern Certificate @ $78
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) Exam @ $116 (plus additional fees equaling about $118.87)
Standard Certificate @ $78
Yes! During your Internship Year, you receive full pay and benefits from your school district while employed as the teacher of record.
No, the testing, training, and Field-Based Experiences can be completed in any order. The optional test preparation courses within the training can help prepare you for many different state exams. We do recommend you complete your Training Modules and Field-Based Experiences first to be eligible for hire.
Per TEA, all teachers in the state of Texas need to demonstrate subject matter knowledge by passing a certification exam, also called a subject area test, while in the internship year. The certification areas offered by Texas Teachers can be found on our Testing page. After a new teacher has entered the classroom, they must pass the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam before they can be considered for the Standard Certificate at the end of their Internship Year.
The certification areas offered by Texas Teachers can be found by clicking the red Certification Areas button on our Testing page.
The certification exam(s) must be passed in your internship year. The PPR exam is taken after you begin working as a full-time teacher during the Internship Year.
We have certification exam preparation modules within our online training to help you pass the exams. We also offer a wide variety of resources on our study resources page to help you. Our Online Study Community is a public forum where teachers give tips and advice on how to pass exams. We offer a fully online PPR review module, a video seminar, and practice exams to help you pass the PPR.
Pursuing a high-need certification area increases your chances of getting hired quickly, and many schools also offer additional stipends for teaching in these areas. The current high-need certification areas are secondary (middle and high school) level mathematics and science, including the following exams: Chemistry (7-12), Mathematics (7-12), Mathematics (4-8), Mathematics/Science (4-8), Physical Science/Mathematics/Engineering (6-12), Physical Science (6-12), Physics/Mathematics (7-12), and Science (7-12).
Bilingual Spanish, English as a Second Language (ESL), and Special Education teachers are also in high demand with stipends offered in many districts for the following exams: Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (for all bilingual courses), Languages Other Than English – Spanish (EC-12), English as a Second Language (EC-12), and Special Education (EC-12). Bilingual Spanish and ESL must be paired with a primary subject area or Core Subjects (EC-6 or 4-8). Most districts prefer that Special Education be paired with a primary subject area or Core Subjects (EC-6 or 4-8).
English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) 7-12 is also increasing in demand, especially when paired with ESL or Special Education.
The TExES exams are currently administered by Pearson. We provide full test registration instructions on our State Tests resources page.
Many candidates are hired after passing a single exam, but this will depend on the districts you apply with and the certification area. In addition to a certification exam, you may also consider passing other exams to increase marketability with school districts. Many school districts prefer that a Core Subjects EC-6 or Core Subjects 4-8 exam be paired with an ESL Supplemental or the Special Education (SpEd) exam, which allows the teacher to accept ESL or SpEd students into their classroom. This is not a requirement, but doing so can help you get hired quickly if you choose to teach Core content. Our program advisors are here to help you develop an effective testing strategy.
Once your passed exam is showing online through TEA, your Enrollment Letter and SOE will be updated within 3-5 business days by Texas Teachers. See the Job Search FAQ section for more information regarding the Enrollment Letter and SOE. The exam is not required to be eligible for your SOE.
As of January 1, 2021, you will be required to take the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) exam, if you are seeking certification in one or multiple of the following subject areas:
-EC-3
-EC-6 core subjects
-4-8 core subjects
-4-8 ELAR (English Language Arts)
-4-8 ELAR/SS (English Language Arts / Social Studies)
This new requirement applies to any candidate who has not completed the program prior to December 31, 2020.
No, the testing, training, and Field-Based Experiences can be completed in any order. The optional test preparation courses can help prepare you for the exams. We do recommend you completing your Training and Field-Based Experiences first to be eligible for hire and to obtain your SOE.
The Classroom Readiness training and test preparation modules are all 100% online. You are required to complete 50 hours of Field Based Experiences (FBEs) before entering the classroom, 25 of which can be completed online. Your Applied Teaching and Learning projects are also online and can be completed before or after you begin teaching. After you complete your FBEs and Pre-Service Training Modules, you may receive your Statement of Eligibility (SOE). We recommend searching for a job after you have obtained your SOE. To request your SOE- please email SOERequest@TexasTeachers.org
50 FBEs are required for any candidate who enrolled on or after 9/1/2024 in alignment with the provisions of the 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 228. Candidates enrolled prior to this date are held to the FBE requirements according to the former regulations, as reflected on their intern portal.
Our online instructors are available to answer any questions you may have regarding the training content and curriculum. You can reach them from any page by clicking on the question mark icon. If you can’t find one on the current page, you can always find the help icon on the left slide of your main dashboard.
The curriculum is organized around six main constructs for learning: The Teacher, The Learner, Lesson Planning, Instructional Strategies, Assessing Learning, and The Learning Environment. There are multiple courses within each construct that help the prospective teacher understand the pedagogy behind their role as an educator in the classroom. Please visit our Training page for samples of the coursework you will engage within each construct.
For technical issues with Canvas, please take a screenshot of the page you are having an issue with. Then from any page you can click the question mark icon to contact support. If you can’t find one on the current page, you can always find the help icon on the left slide of your main dashboard.
Completing your Classroom Readiness training will absolutely help you become familiar with the concepts that you will be asked about during your interview. We also provide you with a wealth of resources to help you prepare for your first teaching job, from online webinars and seminars to resume review services and portfolio guidance.
Classroom observations, also known as Field Based Experiences (FBEs) are introductory experiences for a certification candidate involving reflective observation of EC-12 students, teachers, and faculty/staff members engaging in educational activities in a school setting. 50 hours of FBEs are required.
Any experience that occurs on a TEA-accredited campus where you are observing a certified teacher deliver instruction to at least one student can count toward your FBE hours. Substitute teaching unfortunately does not fall under this requirement from the TEA, as you must be observing a certified teacher rather than delivering the content yourself. However, substitute teaching is still highly recommended to increase your marketability and help get hired with a particular school district.
Per updated TEA guidelines, Texas Teachers can only provide credit for FBEs that occurred on a TEA-accredited campus after you were admitted into our program.
Almost all schools provide observation opportunities for aspiring teachers, but each has its own approval process. We recommend you first check the district website and search online for observation approval information. If you do not find more information online, call the district Human Resources department. Make sure you have first searched the district website and contacted the HR department before you call a campus directly.
50 hours of FBEs are required, however 25 hours of observation videos can be completed online through your Canvas account once you are admitted to our program.
50 FBEs are required for any candidate who enrolled on or after 9/1/2024 in alignment with the provisions of the 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 228. Candidates enrolled prior to this date are held to the FBE requirements according to the former regulations, as reflected on their intern portal.
The FBE submission form can be found on the Pre-Service tab of your Intern Portal.
The experience you have gained must be verified by either the person who you observed, the principal of the campus, or the HR department of the school district. The FBEs will not show as completed in your Intern Portal until they have been verified by email from the supervising individual. After submitting your FBE hours, our system will generate an automated email to the supervising individual. Please ask them to check their spam folder.
It is easiest to complete FBEs in early summer when summer school is in session. We offer a PDF guide to Summer FBE sources through your Intern Portal in May of each year. If you have received an offer of employment from a school district, that school or district will typically provide FBE opportunities prior to the start of school. Keep in mind that it will require time for the FBEs to be verified and then for your Intern Certificate to be recommended after verification, assuming that all other requirements have been completed.
Absolutely! You ultimately choose which districts to apply with, but Texas Teachers has a team of representatives that work closely with schools across the state. We provide thousands of candidate lists, by request, to schools every year, and host both in-person and virtual job fairs. We notify candidates regarding teacher hiring events and list the schools that have recently requested our candidates. We also provide a wealth of resources to help you prepare to get your first teaching job, from online webinars and seminars to resume review services and portfolio guidance.
We offer an excellent Clinical Teaching program for candidates who would like more hands-on practice before becoming a full-time teacher. For more information, view our Clinical Teaching webpage.
To qualify for an Intern Certificate, you must be hired by a TEA-accredited campus as a full-time Teacher of Record for the subject(s)/grades in which you have demonstrated subject matter knowledge.
We recommend you begin your job search after passing your first certification exam, even if you have incomplete Classroom Readiness training and Field Based Experiences. You will then have access to your Enrollment Letter, which updates each time you pass a new exam. Schools often offer positions to candidates with pending training that have passed an exam, especially during spring and summer. However, you must also complete all Classroom Readiness training and Field Based Experiences before you are eligible to enter the classroom and be recommended by Texas Teachers for your Intern Certificate.
Your Intern Certificate is not issued by TEA until after you have been hired by a school and “recommended” by Texas Teachers. Instead, your Enrollment Letter and Statement of Eligibility will provide schools the necessary information to offer you a position.
These are technically two separate documents, and they are important for your job search. They are accessible on the Internship tab of your Intern Portal. Your Enrollment Letter is available after you demonstrate subject matter knowledge by passing a content exam (this not required to be hired). Your SOE is a document schools require that informs them you are eligible for hire. After you complete your FBEs and Pre-Service Training Modules, you may receive your Statement of Eligibility (SOE). We recommend searching for a job after you have obtained your SOE. To request your SOE- please email SOERequest@TexasTeachers.org
You should call the school Human Resources department, as each district application is unique. We recommend you attach both the Enrollment Letter and SOE when submitting a school application. If you apply with only the Enrollment Letter, submit a new application or amend your previous application once your SOE is available, and then call the school HR department to notify them of the change.
We recommend you pay for your TEA Intern Certificate application when you begin your job search. We are listed as A+ Texas Teachers on the TEA list of accredited programs. Some districts will check to see if you have completed this step when reviewing your application. Here are instructions on how to apply for your Intern Certificate.
Congratulations! You should now submit the “I Got a Job” form on the Internship tab of your Intern Portal. This begins the Intern Certificate Recommendation process.
We recommend you pay for your TEA Intern Certificate application when you begin your job search. Some districts will check to see if you have completed this step when reviewing your application. Here are instructions on how to apply for your Intern Certificate.
TEA issues your Intern Certificate once it’s “recommended” by Texas Teachers. Texas Teachers will “recommend” your Intern Certificate to TEA once you have been hired as a full-time Teacher of Record for the subjects/grade levels in which you have demonstrated subject matter knowledge. You must submit your “I Got a Job” form as soon as you accept an offer to teach – it’s located on the Internship tab of your Intern Portal. Your school must also provide Texas Teachers a completed Statement of Eligibility (SOE).
The Statement of Eligibility must be completed by your employing school district’s Human Resources department. If the school does not have an HR department, the SOE can be completed by a campus principal or district superintendent.
Most Intern Certificates are recommended during the peak volume months of July and August. This may result in a waiting period for recommendations. Schools understand that Texas Teachers can backdate certificates if they are recommended soon after school starts. We encourage you to monitor your email for recommendation instructions from our Certification department, and promptly complete requirements. You will receive a confirmation email once your Intern Certificate has been recommended.
An Intern Certificate is valid for your first year of teaching and used for candidates enrolled in alternative certification programs. Once you have completed your Internship Year and all program requirements, you are issued a Standard Certificate. A Standard Certificate is valid for 5 years and can be renewed by completing CPE hours.
An Intern Certificate is valid for only one year. A Probationary Certificate is issued to a first year teacher who has already passed the PPR exam.
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