First Steps Listserv
Subject: UPDATE: Teacher Certification in First Steps
Source: Pam Thomas, Coordinator, First Steps Program
Intended Audience: SPOEs, Providers
Date: February 5, 2009
Due to recent questions regarding certification, the following message has been updated:
Special Instructors who work in First Steps are required to maintain teacher certification. There is no longer an ability to upgrade a teaching certificate for individuals not working in a public school or an accredited nonpublic school. Instructors working in First Steps can get their certificate extended at the current status.
Depending upon the provider’s enrollment, there are 2 ways an instructor can obtain an extension while working in First Steps:
Independent providers (not employed with an agency) can take one semester hour of college credit every calendar year (no specific area of study) and submit the transcript to DESE / Teacher Certification for documentation towards extending your teaching certificate.
Agency providers (employed/contracted with an agency providing First Steps) can either take the college course described above OR the agency employer/contractor can verify that the Continuing Education activities meet Professional Development requirements and the agency submits those hours to DESE / Teacher Certification to count towards the teaching certificate extension. Fifteen (15) clock hours are required every year. The agency will need to contact DESE/ Educator certificate for information about submitting the PD hours for all certified staff.
NOTE: Instructors with a lifetime certificate are not required to do professional development.