Recognizing students will choose different credential pathways, California State University, Monterey Bay’s (CSUMB) MAESTROs Project hosted an event to let students know their options.
This session, held Sept. 7, was one of many weekly informational sessions aimed at helping students through the credential application process. MAESTRO is an acronym for “Making Accessible and Effective Systems for Teacher Readiness Outcomes.”
The event was held via Zoom and hosted by Project Outreach Coordinator Betsi Solis, Student Services Professional Shawna Gannon and Project Manager Margaret Dominguez.
The session presented the step-by-step application process, program requirements, documentation requirements, deadlines, and general recommendations for students.
Solis explained the details of credential pathways students traditionally follow and offered differing paths to students more suited for an untraditional route.
Throughout the session, students were encouraged to ask questions about the application process because MAESTRO recognizes students will choose different credential pathways.
Choosing a credential program is the most essential part of the process.
Students must choose from elementary education, secondary education or special education. A lot of this decision hinges on what a particular student’s major is. For example, a math major would most likely be interested in teaching secondary education.
Each program has various pathways a student can take depending on their circumstances.
Gannon highly encourages the co-teaching pathway to students as it is less intensive than the internship pathway and will provide a student with an excess of hours of experience to use in their application.
The application opens on Oct. 1 and the priority deadline is Feb. 1. The final deadline for the application is March 1, but students are strongly encouraged to finish before the February deadline.
Students who complete their application before the priority deadline will have their application reviewed and cultivated by Shawna Gannon.
Those applying must be able to present a bachelor’s degree, basic skills demonstrated through exam testing, subject matter competency, 40-50 hours of experience working with youth, fingerprint/CTC clearance, a 1-2 page essay, U.S. Constitution competency, field placement requirements and must attend an interview and informational meeting.
Solis emphasized that multiple California Educator Exams are typically required for the credential application, such as the CBEST and CSET, and are free of charge until June 30, something students should take advantage of this opportunity.
Students were encouraged to consider joining MAESTRO’s Canvas course page by reaching out to Solis. The course page acts as a to-do list for students to help them stay organized throughout the application process.
There will be recurring application workshops hosted in October by Gannon, where students can drop by to learn more about the CSUMB teaching credential or receive direct help from Gannon with each step of the application process.
Students can RSVP here: Application Workshops And Info Sessions
Email Betsi Solis: [email protected]
For more information: The MAESTRO Project: https://csumb.edu/education/maestros/