Aspiring teachers must apply to Alternative Certification Program by March 22

Want to be a teacher, but don’t have a TEA Teaching Certificate?

The Dallas ISD Alternative Certification Program (ACP) trains college graduates who studied a career outside of teaching to follow their passion and lead a classroom. Sunday, March 22 is the deadline to apply for the ACP's Phase 53.

Candidates who are interested in joining the Phase 53 cohort of the ACP can apply on this website: https://www.dallasisd.org/altcert .

The ACP is a paid-training strategy to prepare applicants to lead the district’s classrooms. The program focuses on training the college graduates who studied a career outside of education but later found their calling to teach.

“We found that there is a lot of experience that you can bring if you’re coming from the job or you’re coming from the industry, where you can relate to students from a different perspective that is really needed,” said David Pailin, AC Program manager. “It is the perfect program for someone that says ‘I’ve done it all at the corporate level, and I want to share what I’ve learned with students because there was a teacher that helped me get to where I am.’”

Dallas ISD’s ACP is an intensive pre-service training program, followed by a year-long internship leading a classroom. During the paid-internship period, the applicant will receive personalized coaching on practical skills and learn from the district’s top teachers and subject matter experts. Those who successfully complete the program will receive a teaching certificate.