As a group that advocates for teaching Classical languages in the state of New York, we receive many questions about teaching certification requirements for Latin in New York. Over the last several years, the state department of education has added a number of new pathways to certification that many prospective teachers will find appealing.
If you are applying for certification in New York, you will need to create a NY.gov ID and create an account in the TEACH system, the portal through which certificates are processed. You can browse certification requirements within this system or through this Office of Teaching Initiatives certification requirements menu.
The Department of Education offers a number of pathways to certification. Listed below are the ones most pertinent for Latin teachers and aspiring Latin teachers.
Initial Certificate: This pathway is aimed at those starting their career and is completed through enrollment in a teacher preparation program at college or university in New York or a comparable program in another state. When a candidate graduates with his or her master’s degree, the degree granting institution recommends the candidate for certification. Candidates who have graduated from programs at institutions outside of New York can apply for their initial teaching certificate via individual evaluation through the New York State Education Department.
Transitional B and Transitional C certificates: Both of these pathways are aimed at those changing careers and who already hold degrees that are appropriate to their field of study but are lacking in core pedagogical coursework. Each requires that candidates enroll in an Alternative Teacher Preparation Program and complete coursework either prior to or during their employment as a teacher in NYS. N.B.: While certainly relevant for other fields, these certificates are, sadly, less useful for Latinists as there are not many alternative teacher preparation programs that offer courses leading to these certificates in Latin.
Transitional G certificate: This pathway is for college professors with advanced degrees in Classical Languages who have at least two years of experience teaching that subject at the post secondary level. Candidates do not have to complete additional coursework or enroll in a program. Upon completion of teaching 2 years in the K-12 system, candidates are able to apply for the Initial certificate.
Interstate Reciprocity: New York state allows many candidates who hold teaching credentials issued by other states to obtain their initial teaching certificate in New York through interstate reciprocity. In most cases, a candidate must have completed at least three successful years of teaching in the other state within the last 7 years. New York does not offer reciprocity for those certified in foreign countries.
