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Innovative Pathway to Teacher Certification in Georgia

In a groundbreaking move, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) has approved iteach®, a nationally accredited educator preparation provider. This new initiative aims to offer flexible, competency-based teacher preparation programs to help address the ongoing teacher shortages in the state. With the approval, iteach® is set to enhance access to teaching careers, particularly for career changers and paraprofessionals looking to enter the classroom.

Understanding the iteach® Model

Powered by the K12 Coalition, the iteach® program adopts a unique instructional model that combines online coursework with a supervised teaching residency. This blend allows candidates to gain real-world teaching experience while completing their certification requirements. Effective immediately, the program includes two distinct pathways:

1. Initial Teacher Certification: This flexible GaTAPP program is tailored for career changers and recent graduates who are transitioning into the teaching profession.
2. Elementary Add-on Program: This one-year program is designed for certified educators seeking to add Elementary Education (P–5) to their existing Georgia teaching certificate.

Andrew Rozell, president of iteach, emphasizes the urgency of expanding the pathways into teaching, stating, "By broadening the routes into the profession in Georgia, we are empowering districts to fill their vacancies with prepared professionals who can make a significant impact from day one."

Addressing Teacher Shortages with Data-Driven Solutions

Almost 90% of teachers who complete their preparation through alternative routes like iteach® secure employment, a figure that surpasses the 73.4% employment rate of traditional graduates. This indicates that alternative pathways are becoming increasingly vital to addressing education workforce needs. Traditional GaTAPP programs have generally restricted candidates to those employed within specific districts. However, iteach® presents a statewide solution, offering more accessible and flexible certification pathways for aspiring and certified educators around Georgia.

Particularly in rural and hard-to-staff communities, iteach® aims to tackle the barriers that hinder qualified candidates from pursuing teaching careers. The program highlights a few notable features:

• - Scale and Flexibility: Candidates can begin their coursework immediately and can teach on a flexible timeline, which can significantly ease the transition into the profession.
• - High-Impact Training: A newly developed Adolescent Literacy course equips 4th to 12th-grade teachers with effective strategies aligned with the Science of Reading, enhancing their teaching capabilities.
• - Comprehensive Support: It includes GACE exam preparation through Passage Preparation™, access to the Teaching Channel’s professional learning resources, and ongoing coaching and supervision from iteach.

Affordable Pathway to Becoming an Educator

As the first non-university provider accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), iteach® has successfully assisted over 30,000 educators across 18 states in achieving certification. The program's affordability is another significant advantage, featuring low upfront costs and deferred payment options, thereby minimizing financial barriers for prospective educators.

Stephanie Dobbins, Executive Director of the Georgia Association of School Personnel Administrators (GASPA), elaborates on the importance of this program, stating, "The approval of iteach® as a statewide GaTAPP provider helps address Georgia’s teacher workforce needs by creating flexible opportunities for aspiring educators while ensuring they receive the necessary training and support."

With enrollment open to Georgia residents starting this summer, interested candidates can explore their options at iteach.net/georgia. The iteach® program represents a promising future for education in Georgia, aiming to cultivate well-prepared educators equipped to make a positive impact on students throughout the state.

About iteach®

iteach® is a trusted, competency-based alternative teacher preparation program that combines online learning with a supervised teaching residency. Following its foundation in 2003, it has operated to streamline the pathway to becoming an educator while avoiding high costs and extensive time commitments typical of traditional programs. It is now part of the certified B-Corp K12 Coalition, with a successful track record of preparing educators across multiple states.

For more information on K12 Coalition and its mission to ensure quality education for every student, visit k12coalition.com.