In order to take advantage of education opportunities in Wyoming, you need to meet certain requirements for teacher certification. This state differs from others in who do need to pass the Praxis test. In general, you do need to have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university. You also need to graduate from an approved teacher preparation program, either in the state or anywhere in the country. The teacher training courses must include a student teaching component. In order to substantiate your credentials, you do need to submit a signed recommendation from the institution stating that you have achieved the requirements. You should also have a course in US Constitution and in Wyoming Constitution.
If you want to look at the education opportunities for elementary teachers in Wyoming, you will find that teaching at this grade level requires passing the Praxis test in Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment with a score of at least 160. If you want to teach Social Studies in High School, you are required to pass the Praxis Social Studies content area exam. For all other high school subject areas, passing the courses for a major concentration in this content area for your degree program is enough for you to receive a teaching certificate. These regulations are in place as part of the compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act.
In order to be a substitute teacher in Wyoming and use these education opportunities as a chance for you to gain teaching experience, you do need to obtain a permit. To meet the requirements of this permit, you need to have completed 65 semester hours at an accredited college or university, which should include the US and Wyoming Constitution courses. You will have to submit your fingerprints and undergo a background check. There is also an alternative route to obtaining this permit for substitute teaching. You do still have to complete the constitution courses, but if you have at least ten hours observing a teacher working in a classroom at the grade level you want to teach, you can obtain a permit with only 24 hours of school district in-service training.
The initial certificates and permits issued for education opportunities in Wyoming can be renewed provided you meet the requirements for renewal. During the valid period of the initial certificate, you will have to complete further university or college courses or by taking part in approved professional development at the school district level. You can also meet these requirements by taking courses leading to national teaching certification. The state also has funding in place to help with paying the fees associated w2ith receiving this type of certification.
The website for the Wyoming Board of Education lists all the education opportunities that exist in the state. You can simply view all open postings or refine your search by entering specific criteria. Wyoming does accept teachers who have been certified in other states, including those who have taken alternative routes to teacher certification. It also accepts teachers from outside the country who have experience in the teaching profession as long as the credentials can be verified.
