In order to find teaching jobs in Georgia, you should possess an undergraduate degree as well as graduation from an approved teacher-training program resulting in eligibility for state certification. Then you must write the appropriate state mandated content competency exam before you apply for your certificate. If you already hold a teaching certificate from another state, you do need to meet the requirements for certification to teach in this state. Georgia also offers teaching positions to international students certified to teach in another country. Under this regulation, these exchange teachers can teach in Georgia for three years.
You can apply for and receive teaching jobs in Georgia without a diploma from a teacher—training program. If you have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a subject area of the curriculum, you can qualify for a teaching certificate under the TAPP program. You must take and pass the GACE test, which is the Georgia Basic Skills Assessment. However, you can get an exemption from this test if you have high scores on the SAT, GRE or ACT. Next you must pass the GACE test in the content area or grade level you wish to teach. GACE refers to the state exams in Georgia required for teacher certification.
If you don’t already have an offer for one of the teaching jobs in Georgia, you can contact one of the school districts to find out if there is an identified need for teachers in a specific area. You can then take the test for that area and apply for a teaching position. You must have an offer for a job in order to proceed through the TAPP program for teacher certification. Some of the documentation you will need to submit with your application to this program include your university transcripts, verification that you have passed the appropriate certification exams and a police check to ensure you can safely work with children in a classroom.
You cannot just obtain a teaching certificate for teaching jobs in Georgia through the TAPP route and not expect to have to take training as a teacher. You do have to contact one of the program providers to begin studying and taking courses. There is a list of approved program providers on the website of the TAPP program. The program provider you choose depends on the grade level you want to teach.
For substitute teaching jobs in Georgia, you don’t need to have any certification. If you hold an undergraduate degree and you are not sure if teaching is a career you would like to pursue, starting out as a substitute teacher is one way you can get direct experience in the classroom. If you do decide that you would like to become a teacher and complete a teacher —training program, you will then progress through the PSC teaching certificates designated as Teaching, Service or Leadership depending on your teaching experience. The full professional education certificate in Georgia is the Clear Renewable certificate. It is valid for five years and teachers are expected to undertake continuing education during that time in order to renew their certificates.
