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Pathway Educator Prep Program

Pathway Educator Prep Program

Why Teach? Why Pathway?

Teaching is a challenging profession, but it is arguably the most important of all careers. In Gilbert Public Schools we believe that wholeheartedly, which is why we “Inspire Excellence in Every Learner” everyday. 

Teaching is the profession on which all other professions depend.
Linda Hammond-Darling, president and CEO of the Learning Policy Institute

Pathway Program teacher instructing an Augusta Ranch Preschool students

Your career starts here.

Gilbert Public Schools offers an alternative path to teacher certification which supports a career in education. As an approved Educator Prep Program, GPS Pathway fully adheres to the Arizona Department of Education’s requirements, so successful completion of the two-year program prepares participants for a standard teaching certificate. Through our Alternative Certification Pathway Program, participants may prepare for one of four classroom-based standard certificates:

  • Early Education Birth-Grade 3
    Special Education
  • Mild/Moderate K-12
    Special Education
  • Elementary K - 8
  • Secondary 6 - 12

Who Are Our Pathway Teachers?

Pathway Program teachers attending a professional development session in a Technology Services

The teachers in our Pathway program represent a large cross-section of our community. We welcome seasoned professionals who have changed careers and new college graduates who did not study education. For example, we have former businessmen and women, former government employees, and former scientists in classrooms supporting the mission of Gilbert Public Schools as certified teachers. We also have new college graduates with degrees in various subjects, for example, psychology, creative writing, and business administration. 

Several of our current Pathway teachers are homegrown. Each year, GPS support staff including paraprofessionals, substitutes, and security monitors decide to support students as a certified teacher.  

Benefits

Although Alternative Certification Pathway teachers are enrolled in a rigorous two-year training program, there is no tuition. Additionally, because Pathway teachers begin their first year in their own classroom as the teacher of record, they are paid a first-year teacher’s salary and enjoy all the same benefits, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and earned paid sick time.

Qualifications for the Pathway Program

Qualifications for the Pathway Program

In order to receive an Alternative Certificate from ADE, which is required to enter the Pathway program, candidates must satisfy the following requirements, and there are no exceptions:

  • A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited institution;
  • An evaluation of transcripts by an approved third party service if the degree is from an institution outside of the U.S. (at the candidate’s expense)
  • A valid Level One IVP fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (at the candidate’s expense)

Additionally, to teach in grades 7 - 12 candidates must have the following before they are eligible for an interview:

  • A degree in the content you wish to teach OR
  • A passing score on the NES exam in the content you wish to teach (at the candidate’s expense); if you’re unsure about which test you might need, please contact Lisa Creaser at certified@gilbertschools.net or 480-497-3420 (office).

Converting Your Alternative Certificate to a Standard Certificate

Pathway teachers are eligible to convert their alternative certificate to a standard certificate if they receive an Institutional Recommendation (IR) from Gilbert Public Schools upon completion of the two-year training program. Requirements for an IR include, but may not be limited to:

  • Participants have attended all training sessions;
  • Participants have received formal evaluations from their evaluating administrator that are comparable to other beginning teachers;
  • Participants’ students perform on state and standardized tests at a level comparable to students of other beginning teachers;
  • Participants have completed both Structured English Immersion and Keys to Literacy by submitting all assignments without exception

Candidates who receive an IR must pay the fees required to convert their certificate to a Standard Certificate. Fees include, but may not be limited to:

  • The cost of all AEPA / NES exams
  • The cost of the assessment for the Literacy K-5 Endorsement (the first attempt is free)
  • ADE fees to apply for a certificate
  • ADE fee to add the required SEI Endorsement to their certificate
  • ADE fee to add a Literacy Endorsement

Additionally, within three years of receiving the standard certificate teachers are required to take Arizona Constitution and US Constitution class through a college or university. These are short, 1 credit hour courses. 

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