If you want to know how to get a teaching job in Florida, the first thing you have to do is obtain an undergraduate degree with a major concentration in a teachable subject. Teachable subjects are those subjects that are part of the school curriculum. Philosophy, for example, is not regarded as a teachable subject. You can obtain a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science or a master’s degree.
Armed with your diplomas, you can then set out to learn how to get a teaching job in Florida. You have to write a teacher certification exam, called the FTCE. Once you pass this exam, you will receive an initial teaching certificate and only then will you be able to obtain a teaching position in this state. In order to register for this exam you do have to submit an application which you can obtain from the various school district offices, from the education department of the universities or by going online to the certification website. It is important to submit the application by the deadline indicated so that you won’t experience any delays in obtaining both the teaching license and a job.
When you find out how to get a teaching job in Florida, you will also learn about the different types of teaching certificates that exist in the state. In order to write the exam, you do need to hold at least a Bachelor’s degree. Through the exam, you must demonstrate knowledge of the content area or grade level you wish to teach. For content areas, this can be waived if you have at least a 2.5 GPA in the concentration of courses in this subject you took for your degree program. Once you obtain a teaching position, you will receive your initial teaching certificates. You must also undergo fingerprinting and your fingerprints will be kept on file.
The initial teaching certificate for Florida is valid for a three – year period and is non-renewable. During that time you will undergo evaluations during your teaching experience and take part in various forms of professional development. Most educators then want to find out how to obtain a more permanent teaching certificate as part of knowing how to get a teaching job in Florida.
Since the certificate is not issued until you obtain a teaching position, the logical question is how do I get a teaching position in Florida. Each school district is responsible for advertising the positions that are available and the school administration is responsible for interviewing and hiring teachers. You can contact one of these school districts to obtain specific information on how to get a teaching job in Florida if you wish or you can simply browse the ads to find a position for which you are qualified. You should not limit yourself to applying for only one position, as there is high competition for teaching positions in this state. Apply for all the positions that appeal to you and when you are offered a position, you will get started in your dream of becoming a teacher.