TYPE E: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CERTIFICATE

The Early Childhood Education certificate is a renewable five-year certificate for those who help in preschools or as instructional aides in public school primary classes. It does not allow the holder to be a regular classroom teacher.

Requirements:

• For an Associate I:
  • Childhood Development Associate (CDA) award, OR
  • the completion of a 30-credit college program that includes at least 400 hours of supervised practice
• For an Associate II:
  • Associate I
  • Approved associate degree (AA) program in early childhood education
• Completion of the four Mandatory Trainings
  • Applicants must provide at least one document of verification for the completed training.
• Submission of a fingerprint card
• Complete application and fees
  • [TEACH-AK User Guide]

RETIRED/LIFETIME CERTIFICATE

Anyone who retired from teaching while holding a valid Alaska teaching certificate will qualify to apply for the Retired/Lifetime certificate. Applicants are not required to hold a current Alaska teaching certificate to be eligible for the Retired certificate. To verify the effective dates of your Alaska certificate, log into your TEACH-AK account.

A background clearance is required of all Retired certification applicants who have not previously passed a criminal background check with EED for teacher certification. E-mail Teacher Certification and a certification analyst will review your file to determine if fingerprint cards will need to be submitted with your application.

Application for the Retired/Lifetime certification must include the following items:

• Completion of the four Mandatory Trainings
  • Applicants must provide at least one document of verification for the completed trainings.
• Submission of a fingerprint card if you have not previously passed a criminal background check.
• Complete application and fees
  • [TEACH-AK User Guide]
  • Certificate fee of $240 (All fees are non-refundable.)
  • Fingerprint processing fee of $60 (if necessary)

The Retired certificate will allow you to accept short-term substituting positions (any position not more than 120 days in length) with an Alaska public school district. While holding the Retired certificate you are eligible to be paid at a certified rate. (4 AAC 12.380)

While holding a Retired certificate you may not accept a full time position. You are limited to certified substitute, and long term substitute teaching while holding the Retired/Lifetime certificate.

The Retired/Lifetime certificate is valid for the life of the certificate holder.

REINSTATEMENT OF RETIRED/LIFETIME CERTIFICATE

• Verification of education from a regionally accredited university within five years of the reinstatement application for one of the following:
  • Six (6) semester hours
  • Nine (9) quarter hours Background Check
  • Complete application and fees
    • [TEACH-AK User Guide]

STUDENT TEACHING AUTHORIZATION CERTIFICATE

Student teachers serving in Alaska public schools must receive authorization from the Teacher Certification Office.

To qualify, an applicant must meet the following requirements: 

• A complete Student Teacher Program Enrollment Form
• Verification of passing scores on an approved basic competency exam
• Submission of a fingerprint card
• Complete application
  • [TEACH-AK User Guide]

Next Step: Apply for the Initial 2- or 3-year Teaching Certificate

LIMITED TYPE I: INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATE

This certificate is designed to assist experienced instructional aides nominated by their school districts in completing the statutory requirements for full teacher certification. The certificate coordinates the efforts of the applicant, the nominating district, and an approved teacher preparation program toward the applicant’s completion of a baccalaureate degree, an approved teacher preparation program, and passage of the Praxis I examination.

If your meet the following requirements, you are eligible for a Limited Type I certificate:

• nomination by your current employing school district;
• at least three (3) years of successful employment there as an instructional aide;
• enrollment in a college or university program leading to a bachelor’s degree, the completion of an approved teacher preparation program, and passing scores on the Praxis I teacher tests; and
• a contract among you, your district, and your college or university, outlining annual milestones for you and support from the district and institution.

A Type I certificate is valid for one school year and may be renewed up to three times. The department will base its renewal determination on its review of documentation establishing the parties’ full conformance with the contract terms.

An application packet for a Type I certificate requires:

• Documentation of three (3) years’ experience an instructional aide in the district
  • A resume verified by the school district is sufficient.
• Verification of an offered a certified special services position by an Alaska public school district
  • District Request & Assurance Form
• A contract detailing the education plan with annual milestones signed by the applicant, the superintendent of the school district, and the approved teacher preparation program’s certifying official
• Completion or enrollment in an approved teacher preparation program as verified by the Program Enrollment form and submission of official transcripts
  • Teacher Program Verification Form
• Submission of a fingerprint card
• Complete application
  • [TEACH-AK User Guide]

The addition of this certificate meets the board’s desire to promote the development of more "home grown" teachers. It will benefit schools and districts both with better stability in classrooms through local hire and with the new teachers' local knowledge to assist their less culturally experienced colleagues. It will benefit communities economically by allowing members to bootstrap themselves up the professional ladder and educationally by offering the most appropriate educational opportunities to children. And it will benefit individuals by allowing them the opportunity to pursue their professional goals without having to leave their communities.

Next Step: Apply for the Initial 2- or 3-year Teaching Certificate