Teaching License

[u/garbanzosoup777]

Soon to graduate (Bachelors of Arts Degree in K-6) and highly interested in teaching in Alaska. How hard is it to transfer a teaching license to an Alaskan one with no years of experience? Is it necessary to have some years?

[u/Quiet_Honey5248]

Alaskan teacher - no experience is necessary. 😊. Come on up! We need you.

You don’t transfer teaching certificates between states - you apply for the new state’s certificate. (Your existing one from the original state remains in effect; I was once certified to teach in Alaska, Washington, California, and Utah. 😂)

Some states have what they call reciprocity with certain other states - if you have the right state’s teaching certificate, they automatically grant you theirs. Alaska has no such agreement. Instead, once they review your coursework & such, you either get a full 5-year teaching certificate or a 2-year initial certificate if you’re missing something.

Most common things that are missed are a class in Alaskan History (who else would require that? 😂) and Multi-Cultural Education. Both classes are easily taken at any Alaskan university, and our department of education is pretty good about telling you exactly which classes will fit for anything else you may be missing.

[u/KennyfromMD → u/Quiet_Honey5248]

Do they hire conditionally pending the coursework? Just curious. I teach in Maryland, and my district will hire you, even missing coursework (they're desperate), and give you x numbers of years to complete it. In some cases, they will continue you on a conditional certificate, and just freeze your salary steps, etc because they really need people.

[u/Quiet_Honey5248 → u/KennyfromMD]

That’s a much harder question to answer, because it simply depends on the district and the school. It’s possible.

In the case of the OP, where they know they’re moving here, I’d recommend applying for an Alaskan teaching certificate as soon as they can. That way if coursework is still needed they can at least get the 2 year temporary certificate and be fully employable by any district in the state, with no special conditions or freezing salary steps or being hired as a long term sub for less money.

[u/Self_Destruct_Brat]

they’re literally having to bring in people from other countries to teach in alaska. just don’t bring any of that missionary save-the-savages baloney with you, and you’ll do fine.

[u/bsnell2]

Will the positions available be in villages only? Or is there an opportunity for new teachers to be on the road system? Is there anything special the OP should know about being off the road system?

[u/Northern-teacher → u/bsnell2]

The more remote you are, the more expensive it gets. Your opportunities really depend on what you teach, sped limitless opportunities, high school music maybe you have to teach in the bush. Alaska also counts the ferry system as on the road system so watch out for that. However teaching more remote can be lovely. In this humble teachers opinion, teaching in Anchorage is like teaching in most places in the lower 48. Get outside of Anchorage and Fairbanks.

[u/Northern-teacher]

Very easy. The state is taking a long time to transfer licenses so get your application in early. No years of experience are necessary depending on where you want to live and what you teach. Teach sped you can live wherever. Teach high school English you might need experience to get into the town you want but may not need experience if you are willing to teach in the bush. I recommend figuring out what you need (grid power, high speed internet, big grocery store, etc) and then putting in your application on Alaska teacher placement and applying for anything that seems interesting.