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If you want to make a positive impact for generations to come, consider teaching. There’s also good money and job prospects in teaching, thus, its enduring popularity. Think of it as doing good for others while doing good for yourself. 

Educational instruction occupations earn $59,940 in median annual wage (BLS, May 2023). Meanwhile, the median wage for all occupations is $48,060 per year. Special education teachers can earn more than $106,290 per year.


As in most occupations, earning certifications in education for future teachers boosts your:

  • Teaching techniques and skills
  • Professional reputation
  • Job prospects

As you progress in your teaching career, you must engage in continuous education.

When considering certifications in education for future teachers, consider these three key certifications: 

  • Child Development Associate certification (CDA)
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
  • National Board Certification

We’ll discuss these three certifications and more in the following sections. You can then make an informed decision about the best ones for yourself.

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Importance of Certifications for Future Teachers

Why go through the trouble of earning teaching certifications? You’ll spend time, effort, and money in doing so. Then again, the benefits outweigh the challenges and costs.

Enhancing Teaching Skills

Your bachelor’s degree in education is a strong foundation for a successful teaching career. But in an ever-evolving profession with many specializations, it won’t be enough. You don’t want to be left behind as new teaching methods emerge, too.

You’re then well-advised to earn a teaching certification or two. This way, you can gain specialized knowledge and practical skills. Your teaching skills become more effective in the process.

For example, you can apply evidence-based best practices with a CDA certification. You’re more effective in teaching non-native English speakers with a TESOL certification.

There’s also a growing demand for licensed teachers in specialized areas. These include special education, early childhood education, and language teaching. You can take advantage by earning the right certifications.

Certifications and Employability

With your specialized knowledge and skills, you have a competitive edge. In a crowded job market, you’ll stand out from the rest because of your certifications.

There’s also the fact that leadership teaching roles demand advanced certifications. Employers, including schools, prefer licensed teachers with these credentials. This is understandable, considering that skilled teachers bring more value to the organization.

Child Development Associate (CDA) Certification

The CDA certification is among the best early childhood education certifications. This is because it’s a nationally recognized credential with versatile applications.

Overview of CDA Certification

The CDA certification is awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition (CPR). Teachers who work with children from birth to age five can apply for the credential.

This demonstrates abilities to promote children’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth. The key areas covered are:

  • child growth and development
  • family engagement
  • creating safe learning environments

Requirements and Eligibility

The eligibility requirements are:

  • At least 120 hours of formal courses in early childhood education (e.g., a bachelor’s degree)
  • A comprehensive professional portfolio
  • At least 480 hours of relevant professional work experience

You must apply to take the CDA certification exam. The exam contains 65 multiple-choice questions with at least 70 as a passing score.

Once you pass it, you must meet at least 10 hours of formal work observation/verification visit. Then, you’ll write a competency statement.

Career Opportunities with a CDA Certification

The CDA certification is valuable for aspiring early childhood educators because it:

  • Equips you with specialized knowledge and skills for working with young children
  • Promotes better learning outcomes
  • Builds trust in employers and parents about your teaching abilities

With it, you’re competitive for jobs as a preschool preschool teacher, childcare provider, and teacher assistant.

TESOL Certification

Did you know that more than 5.3 million students in public schools are English learners (NCES, Fall 2021). This is higher than the 4.6 million students in Fall 2011.

Why is this important? Earning the TESOL certification for teachers can open doors to well-paid job opportunities. TESOL teachers can earn as high as $97,980 per year (BLS, May 2023).

What Is TESOL?

The Teaching English to Non-native Speakers certification is recognized worldwide. TESOL teachers can teach English language learners more effectively. With globalization and English being an international language, there’s an increasing demand for them, too.

During your TESOL training, you’ll learn advanced knowledge and skills in:

  • Language acquisition techniques and tools
  • Classroom management in multilingual settings
  • Cultural awareness and sensitivity

TESOL Certification Requirements

TESOL training programs are available in person and online. Note that the TESOL certification requirements vary. In general, these requirements include:

  • 100 hours of coursework and training
  • six hours of practice teaching in a classroom with ESL students (minimum)
  • Pass a certification exam

A third-party organization should preferably accredit the TESOL program.

Career Benefits of TESOL Certification

Job opportunities with a TESOL certification include being an:

  • English teacher in foreign countries
  • ESL teachers in the K-12 public and private schools
  • Adult education instructor

You can also select between in-person and online instruction as a TESOL-certified teacher.

National Board Certification (NBC)

The NBPTS – National Board for Professional Teaching Standards awards the National Board Certification for educators. 

Introduction to National Board Certification

If you’re a highly accomplished educator, you may have a shot at the NBC certification. It’s a challenging certification to achieve because of its rigorous requirements. But it’s among the best teacher certifications to boost employability, so take your shot.

The goals of NBC certification include:

  • Recognize the exceptional achievements of educators in their fields
  • Improve the quality of teaching among educators
  • Enhance student learning outcomes through more effective teaching methods

Indeed, teachers with the coveted NBC certification are leaders in education.

Candidates can choose from many fields for NBC certification, including:

  • Early Childhood (Birth to Age 8)
  • Literacy: Reading and Language Arts
  • Career and Technical Education
  • English as a New Language
  • Special Education

Steps to Obtain National Board Certification

The eligibility requirements include:

  • A bachelor’s degree in education
  • With a current teacher’s license
  • At least three years of relevant K-12 teaching experience

The process involves the completion of four components:

  • Content Knowledge, a computer-based assessment
  • Differentiation in Instruction, a classroom-based portfolio consisting of selected work samples and a written commentary
  • Teaching Practice and Learning Environment, also a classroom-based portfolio consisting of video recordings and a written commentary
  • Effective and Reflective Practitioner, a portfolio that demonstrates your abilities as a practitioner

It can take 1-3 years to complete the process. You can join NBC support programs and request district support.

Career Advantages of National Board Certification

The NBC certification boosts your employability, income potential, and job security. This is because it’s the highest honor that teachers bestow on their fellow educators.

Plus, many states offer incentives to teachers with the NBC certification. These incentives recognize their achievements and encourage them to continue with their excellent work. Tax breaks, one-time bonuses, and loan forgiveness are a few examples of incentives.

Additional Certifications to Consider

Here are a  few more education certifications for undergraduates that boost job prospects.

Special Education Certification

The special education certification for teachers enables them to support students with disabilities. You can provide personalized instruction and support that will help them succeed. Possible occupations include special education teachers, inclusion specialists, and resource teachers.

Bilingual Education Certification

This is among the best certifications for teachers in multicultural classrooms. You’ll learn the best teaching practices in teaching students both in English and their native language. In diverse states, such as Texas, California, and New York, it’s a sought-after credential.

The best career opportunities are in bilingual K-12 education, language immersion programs, and community outreach.

Reading Specialist Certification

This certification enables teachers to improve students’ reading and writing skills. You have the opportunity to boost the student’s academic performance, too. Reading and writing skills are the foundation upon which academic success rests.

Career opportunities include reading coaches, literacy coordinators, and interventionists.

How to Choose the Right Certification for Your Teaching Career

  • Determine your career goals and interests. Do you want to teach young children or ELLs of all ages?
  • Choose your certification based on your career goals. If you want to teach young children, go for the CDA certification.
  • Plan your education and other decisions based on your desired certification. Earn a bachelor’s degree in ECE if you’re gunning for the CDA certification.
  • Prepare for the certification exams and meet other eligibility requirements.

Conclusion

Earning certifications in education for future teachers is vital for employability and career growth. Your teaching license is only the first step. Adding certifications to your name means preparing for a meaningful and impactful career. But be sure to choose the right certifications that will add value to your teaching career.

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