5 Ways You Can Teach Without a Degree in Education

The call to teach and inspire the youth isn’t one that can be easily shaken off. Fortunately, with these 5 accessible options, aspiring educators who realized their passion a little bit later don’t have to turn back time and shift from their original college course:

1.   Teach for the Philippines

How would you like to #LeaveYourMark on the country? Teach for the Philippines (TFP) is part of a global network called Teach for All, and it provides selected graduates of various fields with the opportunity to teach for two years in a public school setting. The organization believes that it is everyone’s responsibility to provide educational opportunities for the youth and it intends to make up for the great lack of teachers in the country. Teacher fellows are compensated during the program with a monthly allowance (similar to that of a Teacher 1 in the Philippine public school system) and undergo various professional development trainings. TFP even provides intensive review sessions for those who wish to take the Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET) and continue teaching in public schools.

2.   Apply for a Teaching Certification Program

There are several universities which offer non-degree programs to students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree in any field and have intentions to teach.  Among these universities are Philippine Normal University (otherwise known as the National Center for Teacher Education) and University of the Philippines – Diliman. The 18-unit program usually does not exceed 2 years and is composed of subjects which tackle child psychology and development, teaching strategies, foundations in education as well as skills-enhancement for classroom management, among others.

3. Become a private school teacher/teacher assistant

Most fresh graduates who have taken up education gain their first years of teaching experience at private schools and find that the job qualifications do not always require a degree in education. While it is highly preferred that applicants have passed the LET, private schools are quite open to giving teaching positions to those who can work well with kids, demonstrate effective communication skills, and who are willing to learn their curriculum. Some examples of schools which accept graduates of varied courses are: The Bridge School Manila, Global Leaders International School, Reedley International School, and Appleseed Montessori Inc.

4. Volunteer

If you’re unsure about going full-time as a teacher in a formal school system, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to share your skills and knowledge through volunteering. DepEd-recognized Alternative Learning Systems (ALS) cater to out-of-school learners and always have room for teacher volunteers or “mobile teachers”, as they call them. Those who qualify must be willing to attend to the various learning needs of those who are not used to the typical classroom setting due to financial constraints. There are also organizations like Ateneo de Manila’s Pathway to Higher Education program, which allows volunteers to equip underprivileged high school students from public schools with the necessary academic and soft skills in order for them to later serve the country.

5. Open University

This is perhaps the most convenient option to consider when preparing for this new venture, especially if you already have an established career. If you are willing to pursue a degree in Education but do not yet have the time or resources to attend school in person, consider taking it up online through Open University. Universities like Benguet State University and Polytechnic University of the Philippines offer flexible undergraduate and graduate courses in Education, and you can expect that they will cost less than their regular programs. No need to print your papers either! All requirements and lectures will be exchanged through an online account or portal.  

For more articles related to teaching, check out Edukasyon.ph. (And while you’re at it, you can also search through thousands of schools that offer Education courses).