Over the next decade, 180,000 new teachers will be needed to meet New York state’s needs, according to Angela Pagano, senior assistant professor of teacher preparation and partnerships for the SUNY systems.
“There are several reasons for the lack of education, including retirements – one in three teachers here could retire in the next five years – and teachers who left post-pandemic due to stress and low morale,” she said.
Subject areas with high needs statewide include science, technology, engineering and math, early childhood, health and physical fitness.
In New York City, Spanish and foreign language, bilingual/ESL education, and special education teachers are also in high demand.
For anyone considering a career change in the profession, there are a host of teacher education programs and support pipelines to help drive a change.
Since the majority of New York City’s 8.4 million residents are people of color, NYC Men Teach was launched in partnership with the Young Men’s Initiative, the Department of Education, the City University of New York and the Center for Economic Opportunity.
Their goal is to recruit and unite Black, Latino, and Asian men committed to educating today’s diverse student population.
Armando Cosme, 29, of Jersey City was one such recruit, eager to join the teaching ranks in an effort to help better represent diversity in tri-state classrooms.
In 2013, Cosme realized that his acting dreams were too big and that the demand for teachers, especially math specialists, was high. With a previous experience as a teacher, he was motivated to move into teaching.
“Back in high school, I helped my cousin, a struggling student, pass her math exam,” he said.
“I worked hard with him and pushed him. I felt I could do this full time.”
Cosme first earned his Associates Degree in Mathematics at Manhattan Community College and took a school teacher course before earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education and presenting at NYC Men Teach.
They offered workshops to help with coursework, certification exam preparation, and to address culturally relevant education, classroom management, and support for special education students.
“I ended up teaching at my tutor school, Brooklyn Science Skills Center High School,” Cosme said.
He has now worked for seven years as a high school math teacher of AP geometry and calculus.
“The events and keynote speakers put on by NYC Men Teach are so cool. The program is growing every year,” said Cosme, pleased with his career change.
“It is important that there are teachers in the classroom who match what the students look like. The connection is easy and closer for them. They are more open to having conversations about diversity issues in America,” Cosme said.
Traditionally, to obtain a teacher certification, you must have completed a 4-year undergraduate program, 2-year graduate college preparation program, or approved college certificate program leading to teacher certification, according to SUNY.
Another route is to get an individual transcript evaluation.
Through this New York State Department of Education process, you can submit an application for a variety of certification levels, including areas of interest such as coach, classroom teacher, school administrator, instructional assistant, and student personnel service .
Or, if you have a bachelor’s degree, you can take an alternative approved and registered teacher preparation program offered through an institution of higher education.
Additional special programs include Teach for America, which recruits and develops a corps of leaders for 250 urban and rural communities nationwide.
A two-year commitment is required to teach in high-needs schools and become a lifelong teacher.
Additional entry point programs for career changers include TeachNYC, a centralized application and review portal that “gets you into the system and allows you to see jobs and apply for them,” said Ashleigh Thompson, dean of New York City University. York. education.
“There are so many schools and types of needs; there are many opportunities to find your best match.”
Another route is through NYC Teaching Fellows, which allows individuals to teach while earning their master’s degree in education. In partnership with New York City Public Schools, “Career Changers take courses over the summer, begin teaching in a real New York City classroom the following September, and while teaching full-time, continue the course degree at a partner university, leading to their master’s at the same time. It’s a different kind of entry point with adults with work experience.”
Last March, a new statewide effort was launched in partnership with the New York State Department of Education.
Teach New York offers free career advice from a coach, step-by-step certification guides, teaching test preparation, financial aid for training, help applying to teaching programs, jobs and more.
Gary Crump, 61, who grew up in the South Bronx, moved from the legal field to his current role as a fifth- through 12th-grade social studies teacher for the Buffalo Public School system.
As an attorney for a large Manhattan law firm, Crump was ultimately inspired by the clients his firm defended.
“Ten years ago, our lawyers took on three major gang members,” he said.
“They were found guilty and sentenced to 50 to 70 years in prison. They were from a housing project in the community where I grew up. I decided I needed to do more to make an impact. I started teaching.”
Crump headed to the University at Buffalo’s Teacher Residency Program.
The one-year paid residency covers professional certification in childhood and adolescent education, as well as English for Speakers of Other Languages.
“It’s a lot of work — writing papers, planning lessons, learning from mentors,” he said.
“The big draw of the program was their partnership with the Buffalo Public School System. We all knew we could transition into a classroom teaching role after graduation.”
For others, an inner calling is enough of a driving force to move into teaching.
While working as a medical assistant in Buffalo, Denise Grandits, in her 30s at the time, decided to pursue a career in teaching.
“My boss at the time encouraged me to get a higher degree. Someone seeing something bigger in me was a wow moment,” Grandits said.
Grandits took SUNY Empire State College’s online Bachelor of Arts program, earning a bachelor’s degree and later a Master of Arts in teaching.
Despite the hard work, “it’s making a difference in these kids’ lives that drives me — guiding them through challenging times,” she said.
“I want to give back to this community. It’s the best way we can do it – to help our young people see their potential. It’s the whole reason I’m put here.”
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