On a recent Saturday at the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) conference center, a group of new teachers excitedly shared their experiences about their first week working as a teacher in their own classrooms. The new teachers, from the Sacramento region, were there to learn what the next two years of their lives will look like, as students in SCOE’s Teacher Intern Program.
The Teacher Intern Program is an alternative, two-year pathway to a single subject math/science or multiple subject credential. The intern credential program is different from traditional programs in that the interns have successfully completed a five-month Intern Preservice, have been hired by a school district, and are teaching full time.
“Our graduates tell us the Teacher Intern Program is exhausting and overwhelming,” said Director Linda Liebert, “but an experience they would never trade for the world. It’s a great opportunity for both professionals seeking a second career and recent college graduates looking for a non-traditional pathway into teaching.”
In addition to full-time teaching responsibilities, candidates take weekend courses over a two-year, four-semester program to complete requirements for their preliminary credential. Although there is a fee involved (currently $7,500), the interns earn a full-time teaching salary along with benefits and retirement credits.
The Teacher Intern Program is part of SCOE’s School of Education, which offers programs approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to support the preparation and development of high-quality teachers and leaders for the Capital region.