Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators put out a press release discussing their alternative teacher certification program for the well-above national average Georgia salaried would-be teacher.

This teacher certification program consists of an exam called the GACE
As potential GACE exam test takers prepare, Teaching Solutions Test Mentoring is gearing up for GACE coaching and mentoring to help expedite getting qualified, enthusiastic people in to these jobs. The company offers both specific GACE preparation materials and individual one-on-one coaching to help test-takers pass their exam the first time.

Teaching Solutions Test Mentoring founder Mark R. Buckingham tells about his personal experience with GACE: “It was like jumping out of a plane without a parachute. I had to cut-out my social life and fun. You wonder if you’re studying real GACE test content or if you’re wasting weeks in vain. I was chained to my inferior GACE study guide and a slave to this exam. This misery went on for 3 months of late nights and weekends of studying.”

After finally passing the exam, he resolved to help other GACE applicants prepare for the specific challenges of the Georgia state teachers certification examination; and eventually developed mentoring programs for other state professional teaching exams from around the U.S.

With a full staff of experienced coaches and teachers, Buckingham limits the number of applicants to his program each year in order to provide the highest level of mentoring he can. The program is about quality and effective preparation, focusing on the importance of getting qualified teachers into public schools without delay.
Read the rest of the press release.

When I first applied for a job at the local school district, I had no idea that special education even existed. The certified personnel representative who interviewed me advised me to go into special education after taking a look at my major in psychology. I had some experience teaching English to Mexican college students, but high school was a completely different ball game.
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