Corps members coming into the program without a prior teaching certification are required to join an alternative certification program. The certification program partners with districts and Teach For America to give you a path to getting certified in the state of Texas in one year.
Becoming Certified to Teach
Candidates must enroll in one of our partner Alternative Certification Programs prior to taking any certification exams. Teach For America Houston will support you throughout the enrollment process upon your acceptance and confirmation into the Houston region. You will also be responsible for taking and passing 1-4 TExES certification exams, depending on your content area. You will be given resources to study for the exam(s), which can be taken in various locations across the United States.
Certification Partners
We currently work with three alternative certification partner in Houston. Placement in these certification programs is dependent on which school district you will teach.
Teaching Excellence (TE)
Provides rigorous and relevant training and individualized support that increases the path of development for new teachers. Proven and adopted by schools aiming for higher standards, TE is responsible for more than 200 teachers serving YES Prep, KIPP Houston, BakerRipley, and Spring Branch ISD.
Houston Independent School District's Alternative Certification Program (ACP)
HISD's Alternative Certification Program for novice teachers is dedicated to recruiting individuals from non-educational backgrounds and careers who are passionate about students and teaching and learning.
ACT Houston
ACT Houston fosters a welcoming path for candidates to enter into the teaching profession while offering support and training to prepare for the everyday rigors of teaching.
Graduate School
Teach For America Houston partners with two graduate programs to offer our corps members a master's degree in the field of education. These programs both offer rigorous learning and classes that are relevant to your teaching, and immediately applicable to your classroom.
Teach For America Training
The summer before you begin teaching, Teach For America hosts a six-week training session in Houston which consists of two parts: induction and institute.
Induction happens first, at the end of May or beginning of June. You will get a chance to learn about our city and the work that is being done here.
Institute happens immediately after induction. During summer institute training, you will gain the knowledge and skills to be successful in the classroom. This happens amongst fellow corps members at local schools in Houston.
Estimated Costs
Houston is fortunate to host both induction and institute in our very own city. Because of this there are no additional costs associated with travel to and from induction.
These are the one-time costs we foresee:
- Up-front testing costs: $118-944
- Up-front certification costs: $155
- First month's rent and deposit: $850 (shared)/$1200 (single)
- Professional attire: $215
- School supplies: $100