Giving Tuesday is a day built around generosity, community, and meaningful impact. Most people think of it as a chance to donate to a cause they care about. But it can also be a moment to invest in your own future and the future of your community. That’s why we propose you use Giving Tuesday to become a teacher.

Below, we’ll walk through how you can use this day of giving to start your path into the classroom—whether you’re ready to enroll now, or you need a little help from family and friends to get there.

A Faster, More Flexible Way to Become a Teacher

You don’t need to return to college for a four-year education degree to become a certified teacher. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree—in any subject—you can earn your teacher certification online through American Board.

For more than 20 years, American Board has helped more than 22,000 real people change careers and step confidently into the classroom. Our program is designed for working adults who want a meaningful new direction without taking on debt or pausing their lives.

Here’s what makes American Board different:

And with holiday pricing, certification can be as low as $1,550 total depending on the current discount. (Check our website for the most up-to-date offer.)

Make Giving Tuesday Meaningful: Two Ways to Start Your Journey

There are two powerful ways to use Giving Tuesday to become a teacher.

1. Give Yourself the Gift of a Meaningful Career

If you’ve been waiting for the “right” moment, consider this your sign. Schools across the country need dedicated people who care deeply about students. When you become a teacher, you’re giving back every single day—far beyond Giving Tuesday.

If you enroll during the holiday season, you can often take advantage of special pricing that makes certification more affordable than ever. Starting now means you could be fully certified and classroom-ready in the new school year.

For many of our graduates, taking that first step was the moment everything changed.

“American Board was great for me, I could do it at my own pace. Take tests on my schedule at home. No further materials were required. The information I needed to succeed was all in one place. The dashboard is user friendly and everyone was helpful. As soon as I passed my final test, I was certified with my state within 2 weeks.”
— American Board Graduate and Teacher Jaime Kittle

2. Ask Your Community to Support Your Career Change

If covering the full enrollment cost is difficult, Giving Tuesday is the ideal day to ask for support. Your family and friends already know the kind of impact you want to make. Many have probably told you more than once that you’d make a great teacher.

Invite them to help you begin this journey.

Crowdfunding your certification is a powerful option—and many American Board graduates have done exactly this. Creating a small fundraising page allows your community to give you the opportunity to pursue the work you’re meant to do.

Here are a few tips for successful crowdfunding:

• Be specific.
Share exactly what the program is, why it matters, and how much it costs. Make the goal clear.
• Show your commitment.
Start a free trial of American Board’s program and mention the steps you’re already taking. Talk about the subject you want to teach and emphasize your commitment to a study schedule.
• Share the impact.
Explain the teacher shortage in your state and why more certified teachers are urgently needed. Help donors see how supporting you supports kids in your community.

Whether you raise the full amount or a portion of it, people love contributing to goals that lead to real, lasting impact.

Take Your First Step Today

If you’re ready to explore teacher certification—or even just want to see how the process works—start with American Board’s free trial or visit our website to learn more about requirements in your state.

Giving Tuesday is about making a difference. Becoming a teacher might be the most meaningful difference you’ll ever make.

For more information on crowdfunding your teacher certification, click here.

Be sure to visit American Board’s website today to get started. Lastly, you can hear directly from program graduates by visiting American Board’s YouTube page.