Are you interested in becoming a licensed teacher but don’t know where to begin? Orange County Schools is hosting weekly licensure consultation appointments.  Registration is required.  Come learn about license programs for individuals who did not graduate from a teacher education program. Let us help you fulfill your dream of becoming a teacher! 

Click here to register for an individual consultant appointment.

 

OCS OFFERS TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR RESIDENCY LICENSES:

• Must be employed 1-year and in good standing with the district to be eligible.
• Must be in a Residency Program of your choice
• 75% reimbursement for the cost of tuition for the Residency Program
• Reimburse for edTPA and state board exam(s) for the first attempt.
• Pending board approval

 

EXCELLENT BEGINNING TEACHER SUPPORT:

Click here to learn more about Beginning Teacher Support

 

Click the image below to register now for an OCS Virtual Alternative Licensure Info Session in Spring 2024.

MEET OUR OCS FAMILY AND HEAR MORE ABOUT ALTERNATIVE LICENSURE

We wanted to learn from some excellent candidates who obtained their teaching licenses and now teach for Orange County Schools. So we asked them...  

• How did you know it was the right time to pursue your license?
• What have you experienced since starting your alternative license process? Challenges, Support, Collegiality?
• Now with your license and your experience, what would you say to encourage new candidates to step forward?

Here's what they said, and we hope their experience helps you decide the course for your future as well!

Sarah Woody, Grady A. Brown Elementary, Fourth Grade (OCS Beginning Teacher of the Year)

How did you know?

I decided halfway through my senior year of college that I wanted to teach. It was way too late to change my major, so I decided to work in a school as a teacher assistant for a year, to help me decide whether teaching was right for me. I LOVED it! I decided to look into licensing options, and that’s how I found this Alternative Licensure pathway.

What have you experienced?

I have had nothing but positive experiences during the process. My colleagues, coaches, and administrators have been encouraging and helpful through everything. My program is self-paced and online, so I have been able to make it fit my schedule. Also, Connie Brimmer-Kaltz and the central office have been very responsive and supportive any time I have had questions.

What would you say to encourage someone new?

Going through this process and teaching in OCS, I would say schedule a meeting with Connie right away! She is super-knowledgeable, and she can help you wrap your head around every aspect of the process. Teaching is the greatest profession, and not all of us knew we wanted to teach when we started undergrad. This is the best way to remedy that!

Jose Hidalgo, A.L. Stanback Middle, Seventh Grade Science

How did you know?

I have been teaching for over 15 years at different levels, mainly at the college level. I have always had a passion for teaching, and I love to inspire and make connections with students. I started teaching in the middle of Covid, which was challenging because I faced a completely different way of teaching. I decided to pursue my license because I wanted a career in public education. I think it was a very challenging time, but I think it was the right opportunity for me.

What have you experienced?

Starting a new career in teaching was challenging. I have to say I was extremely lucky to have a wonderful PLC (professional learning community) partner who helped me with this transition in many ways. I had great support from my school, the district, and my team.

One of the greatest challenges I faced was to balance time; in reality I never had enough time to spare, and that sometimes wore me out. I faced a completely different reality about having so many meetings and extra duties that took most of my planning time away.

Making lessons, meetings, classes for my licenses, and coaching two sports was overwhelming, but my passion for teaching and my school made me power through these bumps. My licensure program was extremely helpful and beneficial for writing my portfolio.

What would you say to encourage someone new?

Learn to say “no”... it is ok! I feel that I put myself in a time crunch because I always said “yes.” Ask for help, and ask for reduced duties. Find a balance between your work and your family, and get time for yourself! 

Teaching is one of the most rewarding and sometimes frustrating careers. You can make a huge difference in a kid’s life, and they for sure change you in many ways. Every new school year I feel like Christmas, since I am eager to meet my new students. You will get all the “presents” you wanted and more.

You will make great connections with a lot of them but it is impossible that every kid will like you, and believe me, it is ok not to like them all. A hard reality but it goes both ways; so as long as you respect them, and you are there for them, you will find this career extremely rewarding. I feel I am a better person. I know I have impacted kids, and they have done their share too.

Talk to your students! You will understand many things about them, their behavior, their goals, and their struggles. You will get a completely different perspective on a student if you just listen to them. They have shared so many things that made me understand that sometimes my kids needed a hug, a meal, and not a science lesson!

Cherfarrah Torain, River Park Elementary, First Grade

How did you know?

Since third grade, I wanted to be a teacher after meeting Mrs. Burton. She was the one teacher I felt genuinely cared about me. After high school, I began a job as a teacher assistant in Durham County.

I began my college career at Durham Tech under the university transfer program (associate’s degree in art). I enrolled at North Carolina Central University to begin the education program. I took about 6-7 classes and thought it was going to take too long. I was advised to switch to a behavior in science degree (family and consumer sciences minor). I had to deal with many personal problems that hindered my education. 

There were times I had to withdraw or not attend semesters at NCCU. I was working as a TA and spent 17 years in Durham County, then I moved to Orange County. My years as a teacher’s assistant in Orange County made me realize that it was time for me to complete my college so I could teach! I was doing the job of a teacher and felt that I should start soon.

Sometimes I wanted to leave and do something else, but my experience was in the school system. I worked as a TA for 4 years, and I did some tutoring and summer camp work. It was time to live my dream and make a difference in another area, as a lead teacher.

What have you experienced?

I have learned that it can be a challenge, but doable with support. I have support from our licensing staff (Connie Brimmer-Kaltz), teachers, professionals, and family. I started at ECU, which is a great school, but I felt it was difficult for working adults. And there was no caring environment that felt like home. I began classes at William Peace University and loved it! Classes met once a week with professors who took time to make our experience with them beneficial.

What would you say to encourage someone new?

Go forth and change a life! Help from the OCS Beginning Teacher program means so much in terms of support for new teachers. Licensure staff will be there for any questions you have about your license, as well as other concerns. Mentors in schools help you get started, and they will be there for you all school year.

The system here in Orange County Schools is caring and designed for everyone to succeed, both teachers and students. I go to work knowing I will teach, encourage, and show love to my students. I could not do those things without the helping hands here in Orange County Schools.