How to Become a Teacher in Georgia

If you are searching for answers about how to become a teacher in Georgia, you should first compare all the options. Your residency status, education level, and employment situation all impact the path you take to your teacher certification. Fully understanding how to become a teacher in Georgia is the first step to a successful career in the field of teaching.

How to become a teacher in Georgia - traditional route for residents

To earn a teacher certificate in Georgia, traditional candidates must:

• Complete a college degree program or,
• For bachelor's degree graduates, complete a post-bachelor program for a certificate.

Both options require that you submit a recommendation form from your college.

How to become a teacher in GA - alternative route for residents

You may want to know how to become a teacher in GA without following a traditional route. If you already have a baccalaureate degree, you may qualify for the teacher alternative preparation program (TAPP), which allows you to complete a two-year internship while employed at a school.

Under specific situations, aspiring teachers with college degrees who have been offered a teaching job may obtain a non-renewable teaching certificate. The requirements vary depending on individual circumstances.

How to become a teacher in GA - for out-of-state teacher applicants

For aspiring teachers from another state who are wondering, "how do I become a teacher in Georgia?" the following information may help. Prospective teachers must:

• Acquire a teaching certificate from your home state; or
• Complete a teacher preparation program in your home state and present a recommendation form from your college.

After receiving your initial certification, you have five years in which to complete any special Georgia requirements.

How do I become a teacher in Georgia - necessary exams for residents

Typically, residents who want to know how to become a teacher in GA must pass the following exams:

• Praxis II or GACE assessment in the appropriate content area
• Praxis I in reading, mathematics and writing or
• GACE Basic Skills Assessment.

What bachelors degree do I need for teaching in Georgia?

To receive teacher certification in Georgia, aspiring teachers must have a four-year bachelor's degree. Those preparing to teach in specialty fields, such as technology education, leadership, and service, sometimes qualify for an exception to this rule.

Teaching certification candidates should choose a teaching field that is closely related to their college major. In addition, if applicants graduated within the past decade, they must have had a grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4-point grading scale, unless they have been admitted to or have completed an accredited master's degree program.

What is a teacher preparation program in Georgia?

To answer the question, "how do I become a teacher in Georgia?" it is necessary to understand the preparation process.

Teacher preparation programs in Georgia provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to embark on teaching careers. Aspiring teachers will master pedagogical principles, as well as the essentials of their chosen discipline. They will complete academic coursework and practice their skills in the field as student teachers. The specific structure of a teacher preparation program varies, depending on whether the candidate already has a bachelor's degree.

How do I renew my teacher certification in Georgia?

Teachers who hold clear renewable or performance-based certificates must renew these every five years. They should have completed 10 staff development units or 6 semester hours of college credit since their last certificate was granted, as well as any outstanding special Georgia requirements. If employed, they must submit a criminal background check.

Where do I go for more information about how to become a teacher in GA?

To learn more about how to become a teacher in Georgia, visit the following websites:

• Georgia Professional Standards Commission

  GAPSC provides information about the current requirements for teaching in Georgia. The site offers detailed information about preparation, certification, and continued licensing.

• TEACH.gov

  This website is sponsored by the United States Department of Education and is intended to raise awareness of the teaching profession. The site provides tools for people who want to know how to become a teacher in GA and other states.