Fall Is the Best Time to Start Your Teacher Certification Journey
By the time autumn rolls around, school is well underway for the year. For adults wanting to shift into a teaching career, this gives the impression it’s too late and they must wait for the next summer hiring season. In reality, for aspiring teachers, fall is prime opportunity time. Here’s why autumn is the optimal season to start your teacher certification journey — and how to take full advantage of it.
1. Hiring cycles favor certified candidates in winter/spring
Many schools fill mid-year vacancies or begin hiring in January or February. If you start certification right now, you can time your completion just ahead of these hiring windows, positioning yourself strongly. Starting toward certification today means you can be finished by December; although some people complete in just a few week, we recommend planning for 60+ days.
2. You beat the winter slowdowns
Late autumn and early winter brings holidays, weather delays, and a general sense of pause. By starting toward your certification early this fall, you can utilize that buffer time and push hard toward completion during winter breaks.
3. Program access and cohort start dates
Unlike university programs which offer two enrollment periods per year, online certification providers roll out new cohorts all year. Starting now may allow you to join at the optimal time rather than waiting months. Think you’re ready? Meet some peers here.
4. Addressing shortages when demand is high
School districts continue to struggle to staff their classrooms. In fact, 74 percent of U.S. school districts had difficulty filling open teaching positions for the 2024–25 year. Furthermore, 60 percent of schools struggle to find substitute teachers. Starting now means you can get classroom experience while completing certification, ensuring you are ready for the winter hiring season.
Start Your Teacher Certification Journey
How to get started this fall:
- Choose a flexible, online certification path
- Map course modules against holidays or known busy periods
- Dedicate consistent weekly hours
- Use fall as your launchpad: complete early modules quickly to build confidence
Ready to turn autumn into action? Begin your certification now and step into teaching sooner. Learn more at www.AmericanBoard.org.
