Tired of your job? Consider becoming a teacher

Over the next decade, 180,000 new teachers will be needed to meet New York state’s needs, according to Angela Pagano, senior associate for educator preparation and partnerships for SUNY systems.

“There are several reasons for the education shortage, including retirements – one in three teachers here could retire in the next five years – and teachers who left after the pandemic because of stress and low morale,” she said.

Statewide, the most in-demand fields of study include science, technology, engineering and mathematics, early childhood, and health and fitness.

In New York, Spanish and foreign language teachers, bilingual education/ESL teachers, and special education teachers are also in high demand.

For anyone considering a career change into the profession, there are a multitude of teacher education programs and support pathways to help facilitate this change.

Given that 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 of those recruits, passionate about joining the ranks of teachers with the goal of helping to better represent diversity in classrooms across the tri-state area.

In 2013, Cosme realized that his dreams of becoming an actor were unrealizable and that the demand for teachers, especially mathematics specialists, was high. With his experience as a tutor, he was motivated to retrain in teaching.

“In high school, I helped my cousin, a struggling student, pass her math exam,” he said.

“I worked hard with her and pushed her to go all the way. I felt like I could do this full time.”

Cosme first earned his associate degree in mathematics from Borough of Manhattan Community College and took the school’s tutoring course before earning his bachelor of science degree in mathematics education and was introduced to NYC Men Teach.

They have hosted workshops to help with coursework, preparation for certification exams, and to address culturally relevant education, classroom management, and supporting special education students.

“I ended up teaching at my tutoring school, Science Skills Center High School in Brooklyn,” Cosme said.

He has now worked for seven years as a high school teacher of AP math, geometry and calculus.

“The events and keynote speakers that NYC Men Teach puts on are really cool. The program grows every year,” said Cosme, who is excited about his career change.

“It’s important to have teachers in the classroom who match the students’ appearance. The connection is easy and easier for them. They are more open to discussions about diversity issues in America,” Cosme said.

Traditionally, to earn a teacher certification, you must have completed a 4-year undergraduate program, a 2-year graduate preparation program, or an approved college certificate program leading to teacher certification, according to SUNY.

Another option is to get an individual transcript evaluation.

Through this New York State Department of Education process, you can apply for various levels of certification, including areas of focus such as coach, teacher, school administrator, teaching assistant, and student personnel service.

Or, if you have a bachelor’s degree, you can complete an approved and registered alternative teacher education program offered by a higher education institution.

Other special programs include Teach for America, which recruits and develops a corps of leaders for 250 urban and rural communities across the country.

A two-year commitment is required to teach in high-needs schools and become a teacher for life.

Additional entry-level programs for career changers include TeachNYC, a centralized application and screening portal that “allows you to go into the system and see jobs and apply for them,” said Ashleigh Thompson, dean of education at the City University of New York.

“There are so many different schools and needs; there are so many opportunities to find the right fit for you.”

Another option is to go 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 classes over the summer, begin teaching in a real New York City classroom the following September, and while still teaching full-time, continue their undergraduate studies at a partner university, earning their master’s degree at the same time. It’s a different entry point for adults with some professional 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 prep, financial aid for education, help applying to teaching programs, jobs and more.

Gary Crump, 61, who grew up in the South Bronx, transitioned from the legal field to his current role as a fifth- through 12th-grade social studies teacher for the Buffalo Public School system.

As a legal assistant at a large Manhattan law firm, Crump was ultimately inspired by the clients his firm represented.

“Ten years ago, our lawyers represented three prominent gang members,” he said.

“They were convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 50 to 70 years. They came from a housing project in the community where I grew up. I decided I had to do more to make an impact. I started thinking about becoming a teacher.”

Crump was referred 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 main attraction of the program was its partnership with the Buffalo Public School system. We all knew that we could become teachers when we graduated.”

For others, an inner calling is enough of a driving force to take up teaching.

While working as a medical assistant in Buffalo, Denise Grandits, then in her 30s, decided to pursue a career in teaching.

“My boss at the time encouraged me to continue my education. The fact that someone saw something bigger in me was a moment of wonder,” Grandits said.

Grandits completed SUNY Empire State College’s online Bachelor of Arts program, earning a degree and later her master’s degree in teaching.

Despite the hard work, “it’s making a difference in these children’s lives that motivates me: guiding them through difficult times,” she said.

“I’m supposed to give back to this community. This is the best way to do it: help our youth see their potential. That’s why I was put here.”