Virginia Department Of Education Career Switcher Video
The Career Switcher Alternative Route to Licensure Program was created in response to a resolution agreed to by the 1999 General Assembly. The General Assembly requested the Board of Education to study alternative licensure programs and models in other states and develop an alternative pathway to teaching for individuals who have not completed a teacher preparation curriculum but have considerable life experiences, career achievements, and academic backgrounds that are relevant for teaching in pre-K through grade 12. During the 2000 session of the General Assembly funds were appropriated to develop and pilot the first Career Switcher Program.
In the summer of 2000, the Board of Education implemented its first Career Switcher Program for military personnel who were interested in becoming teachers. The pilot program was so successful that the board approved expanding it to other professions. The Career Switcher Alternative Route to Licensure Program for other professions was announced on the Department of Education Web site as well as in advertisements in major newspapers throughout the state. By March 2001 the Department of Education had received 583 applications for 100 available openings. Applicants for the program included individuals with a broad range of experiences. Priority was given to applicants eligible to teach in critical shortage areas such as mathematics, foreign languages, sciences, and technology education. On November 27, 2001, the Board of Education amended the Licensure Regulations for School Personnel to establish the Career Switcher Program. The regulations became effective on February 13, 2002.
"In just two years the Career Switcher Program has graduated more than 200 highly qualified and motivated teachers for Virginia classrooms.Students are benefiting from the knowledge and life experiences these teachers bring to the classroom."
Jo Lynne DeMary
Superintendent of Public Instruction