Alternative licensure program helps hopeful teachers transition into classrooms

Teaching wasn’t Kelly Hayes’ first choice for a career, but it turned out to be the right one.

”I have my bachelor’s degree in nursing instead of education,” Hayes said. “I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and every day I struggle with pain, and being a nurse became a challenge physically.”

A long-running program made it possible for Hayes to transition smoothly from the hospital to the classroom. The Alternative Route Licensure program allows people to begin teaching with a provisional license while they complete studies to achieve a teaching license.

“Our ARL program is geared toward people who are already in the workforce and who have at least a bachelor’s degree already,” said Meg Nigro, executive director for recruitment and development for the Clark County School District. “The program has been around since the ’90s, but until about two years ago we were the only approved provider for the program.”

The state Board of Governors and the state superintendent of schools have approved about a dozen providers for the program, mostly at local universities and colleges.

“People can join any one of the approved programs and, in about 10 or 12 weeks, they can have an alternative license and be in a classroom as a full-time teacher,” Nigro said. “Then they have two or three years to complete the remaining requirements that a traditional student would have had to.”

The result has been hiring teachers with real world experience in business and other occupations who can pass that experience on to the students.

“They can also be great role models showing the students how it’s never too late to do something you love and to follow your passion,” Nigro said. “Those are the kind of characteristics we really look for.”

In Hayes’ case, the change of careers revealed an aptitude she had not given much thought to. It sprang from her desire to help her twin sister.

“Math came naturally to me,” Hayes said. “I’ve always loved it, but I struggled in reading. In reading you can read a passage in many different ways and find many different answers. In math there’s one clear answer.”

It was the other way around for her sister, who enjoyed the interpretation of English classes and found math a challenge. The two started tutoring each other in their individual strengths. When nursing became difficult for Hayes, she began tutoring friends and family and was told by each of her students that she should be teaching math. Her mother, who works in human resources at CCSD, told her about the ARL program. She entered it and was hired just before the school year to teach at Harney Middle School, 1580 S. Hollywood Blvd.

“I love the school I teach at,” Hayes said. “We’re a Title I school, which means most of the kids are from low-income families. I get to teach amazing kids that may not have the support other kids do. Just having someone in the classroom who says “I care about your grade” means a lot to them.

For more information about the Alternative Route Licensure program visit teachvegas.ccsd.net.

To reach East Valley View reporter F. Andrew Taylor email ataylor@viewnews.com or call 702-380-4532.