Alternative Pathways to Teaching Certification

Do you enjoy working with children? Have you considered going into teaching? Or perhaps you have but don't know the process of getting your teaching certificate, this page will help guide you in the right direction.

Our Washington educators share a love of student empowerment, creating aha moments for their students, engaging with their community, exploring their surrounding world, and most importantly, a passion for contributing to student achievement and academic success (PSEB) and we would love for you to be part of this impactful work as well.

The Washington Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) is a great resource for information about approved teacher preparation programs, alternative routes to teaching and testing requirements for certification.

We are excited to see you are interested in becoming a certified educator! Below you will find information about several pathways to becoming an educator.

There are 3 main pathways that lead to certification: Traditional program, Alternative route and CTE certification.

Traditional Program

Alternate Routes

Alternative routes to teacher certification are designed for career changers and for individuals already working in the school system who want to earn a residency teacher certificate. Compared to a traditional route, where candidates complete their preparation program as part of a bachelor’s or master’s degree, alternative routes allow people to get their teacher certificate through shorter, more flexible, and more affordable programs. Program providers and school districts work together to offer alternative route programs. Individuals can enroll in an alternative route program through a program provider.

Washington State has four approved alternative routes for certification:

Route 1: For classified instructional employees (e.g., paraeducators) with Associate’s degrees
Route 2: For classified staff with Bachelor’s degrees
Route 3: For “career changers” with Bachelor’s degrees
Route 4: For district staff with Bachelor’s degrees employed on conditional or emergency substitute certificates

There are currently multiple alternative routes programs offered by institutions across Washington State. Program details vary, so please contact institutions directly for more information. Many programs are offered online, in-person and or hybrid with a combination of both in-person and online instruction.

Alternative routes focus on high-needs areas, which include: Special Education, English Language Learners, Elementary Education, Middle level Science, Math, etc.

Find an Alternate Route Program Chapter 181-80 WAC

CTE Certification

Plan 1 Full Teacher Program

Plan 2 is for Specialty Programs within Agriculture, Business and Marketing, Health and Human Services, and Skills & Technology Sciences.

Will need to complete a Business & Industry Route program. A total of 6,000 hours of experience is needed. 2,000 hours must be occupational industry experience (nonteaching). You may use up to 4,000 hours of teaching experience in the related Career and Technical Education specialty program area(s). If any of the 2,000 hours is more than six years old, 300 hours of industry experience is needed in the past two years. Must take the WEST-B exam (reading, writing and math) no minimum score is needed.

If you have specific questions about CTE certification, please contact OPSI 360-725-6000

CTE Certification Chapter 181-77 WAC

CONTACT INFORMATION

HR Department

425-385-4100

3900 Broadway, Everett, WA 98201

Meet the Team

Western Washington University-Everett Teacher Residency Program

Everett Public Schools and WWU have partnered to establish a Teacher Residency Undergraduate Program. Which will offer a 900+ hour paid residency experience for future educators in our schools.

Inclusive education involves valuing and facilitating the full participation and belonging of all students. Our unique dual endorsement program with a year-long teaching residency provides you with the background and experiences to be an instrument of change in your chosen teaching path. Key features of our program, developed in partnership with Everett Public Schools and input from other local districts, include:

Focus on Equity & Inclusion – curriculum prepares future teachers to design classrooms to meet the needs of all students with an emphasis on understanding and addressing systemic inequities in education, emphasizing culturally responsive teaching practices
Collaborative Learning Environment – candidates are paired with experienced mentor teachers, university faculty, and peers in a year-long residency to develop their teaching practice
Asset-Based Emphasis – coursework integrates best practices in differentiating instruction and implementing high leverage practice with a focus on asset-based classroom design
Sustainable Impact - a commitment to long-term partnerships with schools and districts to create sustainable improvements in teacher recruitment, retention, and student achievement

Through extensive practical experience and support networks, graduates are prepared to succeed from the moment they step into their own classrooms. Upon completion, candidates are eligible for Washington State residency teaching certificates in P-12 Special Education AND K-8 Elementary Education.

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Statewide Scholarships

Pipeline for Paraeducators Conditional Scholarship - Accepting Applications Now

Is designed to support paraeducators and Recruiting Washington Teachers alumni who wish to become teachers by providing financial aid for the completion of an Associate of Arts degree. Participants are eligible to receive a Pipeline for Paraeducators Conditional Scholarship for up to four academic years. Scholarship award amounts may vary depending upon financial need and funds available. The Pipeline for Paraeducators award amount is up to $4,000 per academic year. Participants are expected to continue to earn their certification and fulfill a teaching service obligation in exchange for receiving the scholarship. Participants must currently be enrolled to receive an award. Applications may be submitted on a rolling basis (there is no deadline.)
Teacher Shortage Conditional Scholarship (Opens Fall/Spring )

Is designed to provide financial aid to encourage persons to become teachers and to retain these teachers in shortage areas. The program provides funding of up to $8,000 per year for up to four years, toward earning a Washington Residency Teacher Certificate. Award amounts may vary depending upon financial need and funds available.
Student Teaching Grant (Opens Fall/Spring)

The intent of the grant is to provide additional funds to student teachers at Title I public common schools in Washington. This is a grant that does not require a service obligation or promissory note.