Steps to become a teacher in Alaska

The State of Alaska requires various trainings, and skills to be learned before allowing an individual to become a teacher. The first thing that must be done after graduating high school is to enroll in an accredited university or college to receive a 4-year BA degree that harmonizes well with teaching children.

1. New teaching applicants must possess a BA degree from an accredited college or university. For those coming from another country, education can be evaluated to see if it meets a BA level of degree.
   

   Walden University Online
   Ashford University Online
   Capella University
   Jones International University
   Western Governors University
   

2. New teaching applicants must possess skills acquired from an approved teacher education program. Alaska offers these programs designed specifically for their state, or new teachers may acquire their skills through outside sources and present proof of trainings that are then subjected to evaluations to determine if they meet the high-quality Alaskan teaching standards.
3. New teaching applicants must also pass an Alaska Basic Competency Examination or present proof of this type of test being passed in another location. For more information about these tests please click here.
4. After acquiring and showing proof of a completed BA degree, teacher education program, and competency test teaching applicants are allowed to have an Alaska Initial Tier 1 teaching certification for a beginning level of classroom teaching.
5. After the Alaska Initial Tier 1 teaching certification skills are learned through a hands-on environment, teachers may apply for their renewable Alaska Professional Teacher Certification.
6. To achieve an Alaska Professional Teacher Certification, the new teacher must pass a Praxis II exam, pass two evaluations, take and pass extra teacher training courses, and complete a teacher preparation program.
7. The state of Alaska also requires a background check and two sets of finger prints. and two sets of finger prints.
8. Alaska is willing to work with out-of-state or out-of-country trainings if the trainings are equal to those necessary to achieve a teaching certification within the state.
9. To qualify for an Alaska Master Teacher Certification, teachers must score at an advanced level on at least two reviews, or hold certification from National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
10. Upon completion of accredited Education program send the following to the Alaska Department of Education.
    
    • Completed application packet
    • $191 fee
    • Official Transcripts of all degrees and credits earned
    • Two fingerprint cards
    • Test scores must be sent directly from the testing organization. Contact Teacher Certification at (907-465-2831) to verify passing scores before sending your application.
    • You must have a completed institutional recommendation form completed by someone from the University where are completing or have completed you Teacher Education. Form is part of initial teacher application form that you may download.
    
    Department of Education & Early Development
    Teacher Education and Certification
    810 West 10th Street, Suite 200
    Post Office Box 110500
    Juneau, AK 99811-0500

Alaska teachers are hired directly by the school district that they would like to work for. There are about 53 school districts in Alaska that house about 510 schools. Employment opportunities are easier to find in or around the larger city areas of Alaska, but remote employment opportunities also exist for those who enjoy wilderness settings.