Supporting the Professional Needs of Alternatively Certified Secondary Education Teachers

The reliance on alternative teacher certification to address teacher quality and quantity is an educational issue worthy of study because non-traditionally prepared teachers fill the nation\u27s classrooms. This qualitative case study explored the experiences of secondary education teachers with no preservice training who earned a professional educator certificate in Alabama through the alternative baccalaureate-level program. The central research questions of this study related to the professional needs of alternatively certified teachers and how educational leaders supported those professional needs. The conceptual framework of this project study included the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education\u27s differentiated induction model based on technical pedagogy and collegial support to address teacher quality and attrition. The qualitative data were gathered through a series of interviews with 6 alternatively certified secondary education teachers using specific protocols. Transcribed data were coded for a priori themes aligned to the research questions, and coded data were analyzed for trends and patterns. The results indicated that the participants perceived support from administrators and teacher leaders as important to their professional development and effectiveness. As a result of this study, a professional development training program was developed for the study site to assist educational leaders in providing an induction program. Implications for positive social change include for school and district administrators to have a better understanding of the challenges that alternatively certified teachers face; they may also appreciate the importance of providing administrator support to improve teacher effectiveness, retention, and ultimately student achievement