FAQ's

Teacher Preparation is a program utilized by the state of California to help reduce California's teacher shortage. It enables individuals at the Community College level to tutor in high school while exploring teaching as a career. It is delivered by various program providers throughout California.

2. What type of instruction and experience do participants receive in the preparation program? Who delivers it?

Participants in the program will have access to various outlets of support. The Project Coordinator, Secretary, Counselor, as well as fellow program participants, will all be available to answer questions and address any concerns that might arise. Instructors are also aware of the program and will do what they can to assist in the success of the program and its participants.

3.What are the eligibility requirements for students?

Any registered student with San Joaquin Delta College that has an interest in exploring teaching high school or middle school math or science as a career and/or tutoring math or science in a high school or middle school classroom is considered eligible.

4. How long does it take to complete the program?

How long it will take to complete the program depends on each individual student. Some determining factors would include the amount of units per semester that the student enrolls in and their success in completing those courses. Meeting with the program counselor to set up an individualized Student Education Plan (SEP) will help participants complete the program and transfer to a four year institution where they can begin a teacher credential program in the shortest amount of time possible

The first step is to meet with the Project Coordinator and to discuss the extent of your interest in the program and to address any questions or concerns that the student might have so that they will have a complete understanding of the program. Then the student will meet with the Program Counselor to develop the Student Education Plan. The student enrolls in the appropriate courses and begins to tutor in high school or middle school classrooms. A freshman enrolled in a full-time course load that follows their Student Education Plan might expect to transfer in two years.

5. What roles does the community college play in teacher preparation?

All lower division coursework can be completed at San Joaquin Delta College. Participants will have the opportunity to tutor and assist in high school and middle school classrooms so as to gain earlier experience and insight into the teaching profession. The Teacher Prep Program will also strive to assist in the success of the participants and to ensure that they are aware and able to take advantage of all of the student resources that are available on campus. The Program Secretary and Coordinator will always be available to answer questions and to aide in finding solutions to any problems that participants might encounter. The program will aide in a seamless transfer to a four year college where participants will continue their teacher preparation.

6. What are the advantages of the Teacher Preparation over a traditional pathway?

Many students have no idea what teaching in a California High School involves until they pass the CBEST and begin teaching. The program offers early experience in teaching, assistance in transferring to a four year college, and helpful links and information. Students will benefit from the extra and individualized assistance, monetary gain for tutoring, as well as early teaching experience and beginning ahead of the game in a Teacher Credential Program at a four year institution.

The traditional pathway to becoming a teacher involves 2-3 semesters of coursework and student teaching experience to obtain a teaching credential and completion of subject matter competency (successful completion of the CBEST). Full time students would generally take 5 or more years to become a teacher while the Teacher Preparation Pipeline Pathway combines requirements for a BA and teacher preparation so that students will be able to graduate with a BA degree and a teaching credential at the same time. Full time students in the program might take 4.5 or more years to become a teacher, shortening the process by up to two semesters.

7. Can I participate in this program as a part-time student?

Yes, as long as you are a registered San Joaquin Delta College student interested in exploring a pathway in teaching or tutoring high school or middle school math or science, we can work with you.

8. What if I already have a college degree?

Depending on the subjects you want to teach - you may find lower division courses at Delta that will prepare you for the CBEST or CSET exams. Another option is to earn your teaching credential and student teaching while you complete work for a master's degree. For more information on Alternative Teacher Certification Routes for individuals that already have a bachelor's degree please visit www.teach-now.org.

9. How do I apply for financial aid at SJDC? Stanislaus? Sacramento? UOP?

Please visit the links below for more information regarding Financial Aid at the following institutions.

San Joaquin Delta College http://deltacollege.edu/dept/finaid/index.html

University of the Pacific http://web.pacific.edu/x17330.xml

CSU Stanislaus http://www.csustan.edu/admissions/finaid/asp

CSU Sacramento http://webapps1.csus.edu/faid_general/default.asp

10. What if I am more interested in teaching different grade levels and/or subjects than high school or middle school math or science?

The Teacher Preparation Program is specifically designed for participants interested in teaching math or science at the high school or middle school level. If you are not interested in teaching those grade levels or subjects the Americorps program is probably the better program for you. Americorps is a program on the Delta College campus that provides participants with an opportunity to work in elementary school classrooms while they are taking courses at Delta. After completing a certain number of hours, Americorps students are eligible for cash awards that help fund their continuing education.

11. I have heard that many new teachers drop out of the profession during their first 5 years. Why?

One of the goals of the Teacher Preparation Pipeline Grant is to provide students with early experience in high school classrooms in an effort to simulate what skills a career in teaching would require. Participants will complete the program highly experienced and fully prepared to take on a classroom of their own.

12. What if I change my mind after I begin the program?

The Teacher Preparation Pipeline Program will benefit any individual interested in teaching high school or middle school math or science in the future as well as any individual adept in math or science that is currently interested in tutoring in a high school or middle school. Participating in the program does not guarantee or obligate you to a career in education. If you begin the program and then decide that it is not right for you please feel free to withdraw at any time at your own discretion.

13. What is a CTE subject?

CTE stands for Career Technical Education and it includes a variety of courses and programs that teach the high demand skills that are needed to get a job, cross-train for different positions, or retrain for a new career. Some examples of CTE subjects include subjects in Agriculture, Business, Economics and Finance, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health Sciences, Information Technology, Marketing, Technology and Engineering, and Trade and Technical. Career and technical education covers a variety of challenging fields in diverse subject areas which are constantly evolving due to the changing global economy.

Many CTE positions cannot be filled fast enough due to the lack of instructors. Lately, much attention has been given to teacher recruitment issues, however, a variety of research studies show that the underlying problem is not the lack of teachers entering this field; instead it is the lack of teachers staying in the field. Much of the reason for this could be that CTE teachers most often have precious little practice, training, or experience in teaching in classroom settings. Studies have shown that CTE teachers experience greater levels of stress because they do not feel as prepared as their counterparts. This can lead to great difficulties in retaining CTE teachers.

If you are interested in becoming a CTE teacher this program is for you, too! The main focus of the Teacher Preparation Program is to place our future teachers in classroom settings so that they can gain early teaching experience at the Community College level. Please stop by our office at Locke 418A or contact us at 954-5472 for more information!!!

14. What kind of credential do I need?

The Single Subject Credential authorizes a teacher to teach in a classroom where only one subject is taught, such as a classroom in high schools or departmentalized junior high schools.

Students that prefer to teach a specific subject at the junior high or high school level should pursue a Single Subject Credential rather than a Multiple Subject Credential.

15. What is the difference between a Multiple Subject Credential and a Single Subject Credential?

The two most common credentials granted in the state of California are the "Multiple Subjects Credential" and the "Single Subject Credential". Credentials are issued after at least one year of post bachelor's degree training at an approved institution. All course requirements, testing and classroom experience requirements must be completed before students can be recommended for a credential.

A Multiple Subject Credential qualifies you to teach at all California public schools and many private schools in the elementary grades (k-6). Some elementary schools go up through grade 8. With a Multiple Subject Credential you teach multiple subjects in a self-contained classroom, therefore you need a broad range of courses that prepare you to teach many subject areas.

A Single Subject Credential qualifies you to teach in middle and high schools where students move to different classes during the course of the day. The Single Subject Credential is available in a variety of subjects including English, Math, Science, Social Science, and others. A major in your subject as well as general undergraduate work is needed to obtain this type of credential.

16. How long will it take to get a credential?

In California it generally takes 5 years or more to become a credentialed teacher. A bachelor's degree is required plus a fifth year consisting of coursework on the "craft of teaching" and a student teaching experience. There are accelerated programs, internship programs, and blended programs that may allow you to speed up this process.

17. What do I need to do to become a teacher?

In order to become a teacher you need to have or acquire a bachelor's degree in the area in which you wish to teach and you need to complete an approved and accredited education program that fulfills student teaching and practicum requirements. You will also need to pass the CBEST and CSET.

18. How can I pay for my teaching credential?

Visit the following sites to look for scholarships for teachers and prospective teachers.

http://scholarships.fatomei.com/education.html
http://teachersnetwork.org/grants/grants_scholarships.htm
www.ntlf.com/html/grants/titles.htm
http://www.nbpts.org/candidates/availscholar.cfm

There are loan forgiveness and repayment deferment options available for teachers in high need schools through federal student aid. For more information on these programs visit the link below.

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/teachercancel.jsp?tab=repaying

If you have any other questions that were not addressed please feel free to contact us via drop-in, phone, or e-mail.

Questions & Answers in Progress

What is the purpose of the program?

How does it work?

Why is there such a critical shortage of teachers for these subjects?

Why should I join? Who should join?

How is the program different from programs offered in the past?

How can this program help me?

Why be a teacher? Why teach math? Science?

What are the different types of degrees?

What are the continued eligibility requirements?