How To Become a Teacher Online in Virginia

There are several requirements to becoming a teacher in the state of Virginia. Thankfully, many of these requirements can be completed online. This helps working individuals looking for a career change or with busy schedules.

Aspiring teachers have many online degree programs and majors to choose from. Virginia has many accredited institutions offering education degrees so you can become a teacher online.

Steps for Becoming a Teacher Online in Virginia

Aspiring teachers must meet Virginia teaching license requirements. Below are the steps the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) requires aspiring teachers to meet before starting their careers. These steps ensure teacher competency and prepare them to work in multiple settings, such as public schools.

Ensure you follow these steps to begin an enriching career in education.

1. Determine Your Area of Focus

Before you embark on the journey of becoming a teacher, make sure to determine your area of focus. There are many areas of focus, including:

• elementary education
• secondary education
• special education
• early childhood education

Evaluate your career and life goals to see which teaching specialization you feel the strongest vocation towards. Each specialization has its rewards and disadvantages that should be examined before earning a degree.

2. Gain an Undergraduate Degree Online

Virginia teachers must earn a bachelor's degree before applying for a teaching license. Once you have determined the demographic of students you want to teach, find an online bachelor's degree program that aligns with that specialization.

Education and teaching degree programs are the most highly recommended for aspiring teachers. Some of the topics covered in education and teaching degrees are:

• history of education
• educational psychology
• technology integration
• multicultural education

3. Pass a Background Check

One of the requirements for teachers in Virginia is submitting a background check. During this background check, your personal information and fingerprints will be processed through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The school board may pay for part or all of the criminal background check and fingerprinting costs. Once the Central Criminal Records Exchange receives this information, they will determine whether you have committed a felony or Class 1 misdemeanor. That information will then be passed on to the school board for evaluation.

4. Participate in a Teacher Preparation Program

Many institutions in Virginia offer educator preparation programs depending on your area of focus. These programs also usually prepare students for a degree program in their specialization.

Students in teacher preparation programs can expect to:

• develop effective teaching skills
• gain hands-on experience
• understand educational theories and practices
• address diverse learning needs

Participating in a teacher education program will help you decide whether to pursue a teaching career.

5. Pass Virginia's Required Teaching Tests

You must pass the required teaching tests before applying for teaching licensure in Virginia. Each teaching specialization has a set of exams, such as a literacy assessment. However, there are some tests that every educator must complete.

Here are some of the core tests that Virginia educators must complete before applying for teacher licensure.

Emergency First Aid Training

A state-approved Emergency First Aid, CPR & AED Certification or Training program must be completed before Virginia educators apply for or renew a teaching license. Programs developed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross are highly recommended.

Once an emergency first aid training program has been completed, the licensure office requires you to submit official documentation containing:

• your full name
• description of training or certification
• date the training was completed
• signature and title of the trainer or a printed certificate from the organization

A waiver is available for those with disabilities who cannot complete this training.

Praxis Tests

Virginia educators must complete the required Praxis exams for their specialization. The specific licensure areas listed in Praxis for Virginia educators include:

• early childhood and elementary education
• middle school education
• secondary education
• all grade levels
• reading specialist
• special education
• administrator/school leader

Aspiring teachers must pass all required Praxis exams and provide those scores to the school board. If your Praxis profile address is in Virginia, your scores will be sent automatically to the Virginia Department of Education.

Dyslexia Awareness Training

Virginia educators must also complete mandatory dyslexia awareness training. The Virginia Department of Education developed a free online Dyslexia Awareness Training Module to meet this requirement.

The module covers topics such as:

• the definition of dyslexia
• indicators or characteristics of dyslexia
• screening for dyslexia
• content of structured literacy

Once the module has been completed, the VDOE recommends printing out the certificate of completion.

6. Complete Required Student Teaching Hours

Each state requires teachers to complete a certain number of teaching hours. According to Virginia Law, a standard 10-month teaching contract requires a minimum of 990 instructional hours.

7. Obtain Teaching Certification

Once all licensure requirements have been met, first-time Virginia teaching license applicants must apply through the Virginia Licensure Online (VALO) portal. It is important to note that all communication is done through the VALO portal and not through mail or e-mail correspondence. Make sure to check back for updates on your application.

Online Bachelor's in Education Programs in Virginia

Online bachelor's in education programs are great for people with packed schedules who want to pursue a career in education. If you already have a bachelor's degree, consider a master's degree to advance your teaching career.

Below are some online degree programs from accredited Virginia institutions. Some of these are licensure programs while others don't provide a license. Each program has unique coursework to help you begin your teaching journey.

Old Dominion University � BS in Elementary Education

Old Dominion University's online Bachelor of Science in elementary education prepares aspiring educators to teach in elementary classrooms. Some of the courses in this program include:

• Learning and Development
• Foundations of Special Education
• Socio-Cultural Perspectives in Education

Liberty University � Bachelor of Education (BEd)

Liberty University's online Bachelor of Education prepares future educators and offers various specializations depending on your interests. Some of the core courses in this program include:

• Introduction to Education and Classroom Technology
• Foundations of Education
• Content Measurement and Evaluation

Regent University � BS in Early Childhood Education

Regent University has an online Bachelor of Science in early childhood education that teaches aspiring educators from a Christian worldview. The core courses in this program include:

• Guiding Young Children
• Wellness In Childcare Programs
• Teaching Content to Children

How Long Do Teacher Certifications Last in Virginia?

The number of years a teaching certification lasts in Virginia depends on the license held. Typically, teaching licenses last up to five years. However, Virginia offers an online teacher license, which is valid for up to 10 years.

How Do I Renew My Teacher Certification in Virginia?

Renewing a teaching license in Virginia has several requirements. Requirements vary depending on the renewable teaching license. For example, social science teachers must complete instruction in African American history.

However, some of the requirements for renewing all teaching licenses include:

• child abuse awareness training
• student disability training
• emergency first aid training