Tips for Beginning Teaching in California (2009)

If you want to teach in California, there are several overall tips you need to consider in order to understand what program you should enter

- Decide which level and/or subject you want to teach. High school versus elementary versus college are all different ladders, and there is no singular path that leads to all. This is especially important when you begin planning. If you are not sure, it's advisable to revisit your old schools and ask for an informal observation. Believe me, I once thought I'd teach high school but once I re-entered the classroom (about 6 years later) I realized that my expectations were very different.

- If you choose to teach in college, the underlining rule is to have at least a Master's degree in the subject. Colleges have different requirements for teaching. If you teach at a public school in California, you must have a California teaching credential.

- MS, SS: otherwise known as multiple subject or single subject. These are the credentials California offers. It covers elementary school (MS) and high school (SS). Typically, middle school teachers have an SS, or a MS with a CSET score (I will explain later).

- Decide your speed. All teachers in California require a Bachelor's degree, and entering a credential program requires you to have a bachelor's degree at the time of application (there are some special cases, especially if you go to a credential program at your undergraduate school). Most credential programs are two semesters (one full year) long, but everyone is different and may want to take more or less time.

- The test that MS and SS candidates must take is the CBEST. This test is passable by recent high school graduates, and is typically required at the time of applying for your credential program.

- CSET is the next test that aspiring teachers must take in order to enter the program. It is meant to prove that you know your material. There are several CSETs, but all MS candidates must take the MS CSET, as aspiring high school English teachers, for example, must take the English CSET.

- The CSET typically lasts 6 hours, but within 3 sub-tests. Many candidates take a sub-test at a time.

- This is how a middle school teacher can have a MS with a CSET score. Consider this scenario: They acquire their MS credential first. Realize that they want to teach English but does not want to go through another credential program, so they take the CSET for English. After receiving a good score they send it in to the California Commission for Credentialing, and when approved they can teach middle school!