FAQ’s
What areas of certification are available?
Lone Star College-Montgomery only offers certification in HIGH NEED areas. Because of this, you can be sure there are jobs available in the areas in which we offer certification. Human Resource Directors from our participating school districts tell us which areas are high need each school year. At this time, we are offering certifications in the following areas:
- Early Childhood to 4th Grade Bilingual Generalist* (90% of the class is taught in Spanish)
- 4th - 8th Grade Bilingual Generalist* (90% of the class is taught in Spanish)
- 4th - 8th Grade Generalist*
- 4th - 8th Grade Math
- 8th - 12th Grade Math
- 4th - 8th Grade Science
- 8th - 12th Grade Chemistry
- 8th - 12th Grade Life Sciences (Biology, etc)
- 8th - 12th Grade Physical Sciences (Physics and Chemistry)
- 8th - 12th Grade Science Composite (Life Sciences, Physics and Chemistry)
- EC-12 Special Education (all grade levels, all level of special education)
- 6-12 Foreign Language (Spanish, French, etc)
*A Generalist is certified to teach Math, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies. In the younger grades, a generalsit might teach all 4 subjetcs. In Junior High a generalist might only teach one subject. Students can look for the job that best suits what they want to teach.
How does the certification offered by this program compare to the teaching degree offered in a four-year university?
The route to certification in the LSC-Montgomery is non-traditional, but the credential is identical. The state has authorized community colleges to train and certify degreed professionals due to teacher shortages in certain areas.
I was a teacher in another state or country- do I need to take your program?
If you have been a licensed teacher in another state or country, even if your licensure lapsed, you should contact the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) before applying to our program. In some cases, SBEC will accept your credentials and issue a one-year probationary license. In that year you will be allowed to teach. SBEC will require that you take the state of Texas Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities exam and any content exams that apply to your area of certification. Out of state and out of country teachers are welcome to take our Pedagogy class or any of our content classes to help them review for state exams. In this case, you do not need to apply to our program. For more information, contact Megan Costanza AFTER you have talked with SBEC.
How do I find out about teacher openings?
Check the school district websites or call them for information on current and future openings.
When my application for the LSC-Montgomery Program is complete, where do I take it?
Take your completed application to Teacher Certification in Building C, Office 231E. You may pay your $40 application fee by check or credit card. Applications can be mailed with a $40 check to Megan Costanza, Alternative Teaching Certification, 3200 College Park Drive, Ste C-231E, Conroe, TX 77384. Make checks payable to LSC-Montgomery. You do not have to complete the entire application before turning it in. As soon as we receive anything with your name on it (including references) we start a file for you.
After all of the steps are completed, how long will it take to receive an answer?
Formal letters of admission or rejection will be mailed within two weeks after the final screening interview has been completed. Candidates are typically notified via email of admission or rejection within one week.
How many students are admitted into LSC-Montgomery's Program each semester?
There is unlimited enrollment for the program. You are not competing for spots; each potential student is evaluated based upon their own applications and not against other applicants.
What state exams are required for certification in Texas?
Two or four exams are required, depending on the certification sought:
- TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards) Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities
- TExES or ExCET Content Exam (certification area)
- TOPT (Test of Oral Proficiency) - for Bilingual and Foreign Language certification only
How long is the program?
Depending on training start dates and internship availability, the length of the program will last between 18 and 24 months. The first semester consists of the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility class (which teaches you how to be a teacher) and your content class (Bilingual, Special Education, etc). After classes are completed, students take the content exam for their certification area. Upon passing a content exam, students are eligible for a paid internship or unpaid clinical teaching experience. At the end of a successful internship or clinical teaching experience, students are certified by the State of Texas.
When are your classes held?
All our classes are held in the evenings and on the weekend. The Pedagogy class is typically offered on Mondays/Wednesdays from 6pm-9pm and Tuesdays/Thursdays from 6pm-9pm. Summer classes change year to year. The Bilingual Education class is typically held on Saturdays from 9am-3pm, while the Special Education class is offered on Saturdays from 9am-1pm. One-day Seminars for Generalists are offered on Saturdays through the semester. Generalists are only required to take content seminars if they score low on the practice Generalist exam.
Do I have to finish the program in a certain amount of time?
No. We have a flexible time line. Some students choose to take their classes in separate semesters; other students wait a year after finishing the course work before looking for a job.
What if I have been out of the workforce? What do I do about my references and resume?
References: You can use anyone, except a family member, who can attest to your work ethic. Have you held a garage sale with a neighbor? Volunteered at your place of worship? Carpooled with other parents?
Resume: We just want to know what you have been up to. Include volunteer activities, hobbies, part-time jobs, taking care of your children, etc. You do not need to make every job relate to education- we know you're coming from another field and that's okay.
What if I do not have a bachelor’s degree, but I want to become a teacher?
Excellent educator preparation tracks are available through area universities. See a LSC-Montgomery advisor or check university websites (SHSU, University of Houston, TSU, etc.). You may begin your coursework at LSC-Montgomery, earning an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree. That degree will transfer to 4-year Texas university education programs. Call Christie Smith at 936-273-7046 for more information. If you will graduate in the same semester as the application deadline, you may apply to the program, but you cannot be admitted until your final transcript is available, showing graduation with a bachelor's degree.
Who determines if I am admitted to the program?
Admission is offered to students who meet the listed criteria and who are deemed fit to teach by program staff. The LSC-Montgomery Alternative Teacher Certification Program has a Fitness to Teach policy that determines an applicant's capability of being a good teacher.
What happens after I am granted admission to the program?
Students sign an admission contract and attend a program orientation. Training usually begins soon thereafter. Students are required to register for courses and purchase the necessary textbooks and supplies before the courses begin.
What is contained in the Admission Contract?
It states what is expected (training, policies, examinations, coursework, etc.) of the student to be recommended for certification.
Do I need a computer and e-mail to participate?
Yes. Students are required to have access to a computer, Internet and e-mail. College email addresses are available and computers are free to use on the first floor of Building C.
What is the cost of the program?
The cost of the program is based on current tuition rates of LSC-Montgomery. The state (SBEC) determines the cost of the various exams and other items. Go to the Tuition page of this website to view the latest list of fees. Costs are subject to change.
What sources of financial aid are available to me?
Visit the following websites to learn of financial aid options:
What is the basic skills assessment?
The State of Texas requires our program have a basic skills assessment as part of our admission requirements. Our advisory board, made up of Human Resource Directors from participating school districts, determined our assessment. You must meet minimum scores, less than five years old, on the THEA, SAT, ACT, or GRE. There is no exception to this policy. Everyone applying to our program has a bachelor's degree; it cannot count as the basic skills assessment. We recommend applicants who need a basic skills assessment take the THEA. A master's degree no longer counts as a basic skills assessment.
What is the THEA?
The THEA is a 5 hour exam that measures reading, writing and math skills up to grades 8 or 9. You receive all three sections at once and can decide in what order to take them and how long you spend on each section. The sections are graded separately and you do not have to take them all in one sitting (but you get to look at all three sections and see what to study!). You may only take the THEA every 30 days and you must pay the $29 fee each time you take it. You must meet our minimum scores in at least two of the sections in order to be granted an interview with our program. You must complete and have acceptable scores in all three sections before you will be allowed to take a State exam or accept a job.
How can I register for the THEA?
You can register online at http://www.thea.nesinc.com/. The test is given on Saturdays every couple of months.
OR
LSC-Montgomery schedules on-campus Quick THEAs. They are called "quick" only because you can register and take them the same day. The THEA and Quick THEA tests are identical. To take the Quick THEA contact Megan Costanza for a test ticket megan.e.costanza@lonestar.edu. The THEA can be taken on campus Monday-Thursday (you must be at the testing center by 2pm) or Friday (you must be at the testing center by 11am). If you cannot take off work, then you must sign up to take the regular THEA on a Saturday.
What is the different between the internship and clinical teaching?
Internship
- One school year long, two full semesters, begins the first day you start teaching
- You are the teacher of record, solely responsible for your students and classroom
- You receive the same pay and healthcare/retirement benefits as a first year teacher
- You have an on-campus mentor to help you navigate your new campus
- Must be completed in back-to-back semesters: either Spring, then Fall or Fall, then Spring
- Summer school does not count towards your internship
- You must find your own job, apply for it, interview, and be hired
- You may accept a mid-year replacement job and start any time of year (your internship will last one calendar year, which will amount to two full semesters)
Clinical Teaching
- Twelve weeks long, unpaid, no benefits
- You work under the mentorship of a teacher of record, you are not solely responsible for the students in your class
- You begin the experience by observing your mentor and slowly take on the responsibilities of the classroom
- You may pick the school district you want to work in, but not the school or grade level
- You must follow a specific timeline and teach during the 12 weeks assigned to you
How will I be supported during the training and internship to ensure I get the needed feedback? The college and school districts provide a variety of support during the training. In addition to the school district in-service training, each intern/clinical teacher receives support from both a LSC-Montgomery intern supervisor and on-campus mentor. This program provides support in developing effective teaching strategies, creating a positive classroom environment, working with diverse students and communities, communicating effectively, gaining appropriate professional development, and understanding professional responsibilities.
I want to teach in The Woodlands or at my child's school. What are the chances of this happening?
The more you limit yourself, the harder it will be to get a job. Many people want to teach in The Woodlands, so jobs are very competitive. If you know the administration in your child's school, then you should let them know you want to teach and see what the posibility is of obtaining a position at that school. Most of the school districts in our area are growing and opening new schools; many of our students work in Willis, Magnolia, Spring, Montgomery and Klein ISDs, as well as Conroe ISD.
I really want to teach EC-4 Generalist. Why do you only offer it for bilingual teachers?
Everyone wants to teach the little kids! This is not a high need area in Spring, Conroe, Magnolia, Willis or Montgomery. If you are offered a position and meet our admission requirements, we will certify you. However, we will not accept students without pre-arranged job offers in this certification area. The reason for this is that if you can't find a job, you cannot complete our program and become a certified teacher.
What must I do to obtain my certificate?
- Complete all coursework with a grade of "Satisfactory" or all credit coursework with a grade of 2.5 or better
- Complete additional conditions stated in the Admission Contract
- Successfully complete a one-year internship in an accredited school or a 12 week Clinical Teaching Experience
- Pass all required state exams
- Pay all fees at the time they are due
- Be recommended for certification by LSC-Montgomery