Caddo Schools is now accepting applications for their in-house teaching certification program. Caddo Teaching Academy (CTA) hosts the program and is actively seeking candidates with a passion for serving the community who are interested in the teaching profession. If accepted into the academy, candidates may begin teaching as early as the next school year with full pay and benefits.
The innovative certification program provides a fast track, streamlined and practical approach to job-embedded training to place a certified teacher in every classroom. Certification is available for grades 4-8 in English, math, science and social studies, elementary education, and 6-12 in English, math, biology, chemistry and general science.
Since its inception, Caddo Teaching Academy has been successful at filling more than 85 classrooms with certified teachers. The program offers no upfront fees while providing two-year coursework. Each candidate is provided a coach and leaves with a certification recognized by the Louisiana Department of Education.
“This is a unique opportunity for someone qualified and interested in becoming a teacher because they can begin working in a classroom almost immediately,” said Leisa Woolfolk, Chief Human Resources Officer for Caddo Schools. “The program offers a direct path to teaching and the benefit to children is immense. They can have a well-trained, well-prepared certified teacher guiding their educational path.”
For some, the program has saved years of work – allowing the ability to start teaching in a classroom upon graduating with a bachelor's degree.
“The Caddo Teaching Academy, in my opinion, is the best alternative certification program in the state,” said Jacob Mainiero, a graduate of CTA and Algebra II teacher at Northwood High School. “The Caddo Teaching Academy has been the driving force behind my career. Without the program, I would have finished my degree then have to return to school for two years to become certified. Through this program, I was able to graduate with my bachelor’s and teaching certification together.”
The application period is open now through April 1, 2022. The program is open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree possessing a cumulative grade point average of 2.2 or above, a passing score on the PRAXIS I exam or an ACT score of 22 or above, and a favorable score on the PRAXIS II exam – an exam that measures academic skills and content knowledge. For more information or to apply, visit https://hr.caddoschools.org/caddo-teaching-academy/