I currently work in a preschool here in the city. As we are not part of the DOE’s UPK program, I do not need certification to work there. I previously taught Middle School in Arizona and loved it. My degree is in secondary education. When I moved out here I took the preschool job because my choices as a non-certified teacher were limited.

I did not get my certification in Arizona because I could not afford to take the time away from work to do my student-teaching. I am now seeking certification in NYC, but I’m a bit lost. It seems that my only pathway is to join a program like Teachers Fellowship, etc. but I still cannot afford to dedicate so much time away from work to reach certification this way.

Are there other routes for someone with a Bachelor’s degree in education that has never held certification? Is a teaching program really the only way I can seek certification to be a head middle/high school teacher in NYC?