Certification deadlines loom for thousands of newer teachers

Bruce CotlerTeachers with certification problems attended a workshop in the UFT’s Staten Island borough office on April 17. Borough Educational Liaison Tanisha Franks spent time with each participant reviewing their records and explaining what they still need to do to achieve certification. Fran Spano (left) of Tottenville HS on Staten Island pays close attention as Franks searches for the answer to her question. Newer teachers need to take care of some important state certification business immediately. It’s especially urgent that you meet any upcoming deadlines if you are at risk of termination or if your current certificate is near its expiration date.

Be sure to follow up right away if you fall into one of the following categories:

Teachers who are working with expired certificates: You must finish your certification requirements before June 30 to avoid termination.

• About 1,400 newer teachers still risk losing their jobs on July 1 unless they resolve their certification status problems soon.
• If you do not receive a Department of Education letter by May 15 saying that your problem has been resolved, immediately contact the Certification Department of the Division of Human Resources at 65 Court St., Brooklyn, to discuss your situation.

Teachers who applied for and were granted a time extension: You must complete your requirements for permanent/professional certification before your extension expires this Aug. 31.

• Be sure to check the expiration date of your extension.
• Then complete your remaining requirements and apply for your permanent/professional certificate before that date. You will not receive another extension and are in danger of termination if you do not fulfill the terms of your extension.

Teachers who are in their fifth year of working under an initial certificate: You must complete your maximum requirements and apply for your professional certificate before your initial certificate expires this Aug. 31.

• Be sure to check when your initial certificate expires.
• Since it takes time to process your application, it’s a good idea to complete all your requirements early and to apply for your professional certificate at least three months before your initial certificate expires. Complete the entire application, including the section that asks for your teaching experience. Do not assume that the State Education Department knows your work history.
• You must apply and pay the fee online at the State Education Department website, www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert.
• Afterward, you can mail in whatever transcripts and documentation you still have not submitted, as long as these items reach Albany before Aug. 31. Send everything to New York State Education Department, Office of Teaching Initiatives, Room 5N Education Building, Albany, NY 12234. Make copies of everything before you send it in. Mail your packet “Return Receipt Requested” and file the receipt with the copies of your paperwork.
• If you realize that you will need a time extension to complete the requirements for your professional state certification, be sure to apply for that extension immediately. You may apply and pay the $50 fee at the SED website. In your application, you must identify one of the listed reasons for needing an extension and mail in the appropriate supporting documentation.

For additional help with certification issues, call TeacherLine at 212-253-8800; an educational liaison at your UFT borough office; or a specially trained consultant with the UFT Certification Services Department at 212-420-1830.