Curry School of Education | University of Virginia

Career Services Home

U.Va. Ways to Become a Teacher:

• Attend Curry School of Education Teacher Preparation program (http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/ )
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching. Note the LING 509: Spring CLAS Course on how to teach ESL
• School of Continuing & Professional Studies Alternative Licensure program (particularly good for Spanish, Math & Science majors who didn't attend Curry)
• Attend U.Va.'s Graduate & Professional School Forum to inquire about other teacher preparation programs.

Ways to Get Experience:

Volunteering through U.Va.:

• Volunteer at Madison House. Both classroom and tutoring options available (employers prefer classroom/group work over one-on-one experience)
• UCS Extern Program.

Summer/Part-time/After School Employment Options:

• U.Va.'s Summer or Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP)
• Jumpstart Preschool AmeriCorps program: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Area preschools often offer flexible, part-time work schedules. Check out Careers in Child Care for a multi state listing (including the local area)
• Possible after-school options include Creative Learning After School and in the Summer (C.L.A.S.S.), ACAC Adventure Central, Covenant School ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), Peabody School, St. Anne's-Belfield School
• Exploration Summer Program usually conducts interviews through U.Va.'s on-grounds recruiting program.
• Register yourself on the child care/babysitting list by calling U.Va.'s Women's Center (982-2251)
• U.Va.'s Summer Options: as Tour Guides through the Admission's office; Cavalier Day Camp or 4 Star Academics Plus Camp
• Other Summer Camps: http://www.petersons.com/summerop/index.html or check for local ones on AlbemarleFamily.com or http://avenue.org/education.htm

Other Creative Options:

• Substitute Teaching can provide flexibility and money to support you while in school but is not a suggested route to test out the field of teaching. It is a good way to meet many principals and department heads who are usually the ones to make the ultimate hiring decision
• Don't forget to consider Country Clubs, Museums, Historical Homes and City or County based Parks & Recreation programs which all have educational programs, particularly during the summer. They all provide excellent sources of part-time or summer employment: Monticello, Montpelier (540-672-0025), Charlottesville City Parks & Rec. - click on Employment in upper right hand of site); both Farmington & Boars Head participate in U.Va.'s Educators Expo or through CAVLink.
• Tutoring (Georgetown Learning Centers, Champion Tutoring and Huntington actively recruit through U.Va., check phone book for other options); check with school department chairs if you want direct employment.
• If you've done well on standardized tests, considered teaching (and once trained, tutoring can be an option) through Kaplan.

Ways to Land a Full-time Job:

• UVA Teacher Job Search Handbook
• UCS Diversity Career Day (each fall; *all* students welcome to attend) participants have included Teach for America, Peace Corps & Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program (see international teaching section below for more information), Reading is Fundamental program, and some public and private schools and placement agencies.
• Teach for America hires a large number of U.Va. students but consider applying to other similar regionally based programs including New York Teaching Fellows, DC Teaching Fellows, Chicago Teaching Fellows, Philadelphia Teaching Fellows
• Private/Independent Schools (most of these do not require certification) Placement Agencies recruiting through U.Va.'s on-grounds Recruiting (must attend an orientation to use this system): Southern Teachers Agency; CalWest; Carney Sandoe; The Education Group.
• UVA's College Guide Program - although not teaching oriented, this program places CLAS graduates in public schools to help high school students realize that college is possible.
• International Teaching Options: Search Associates (in October;  to schedule an interview or for more information, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ); U.Va. UK Fellows Program & Fulbright Grants; Peace Corps hires a large number of UVA graduates; Japan Exchange Teaching (JET) Program
• U.Va.'s Educators Expo (mid February). Over 80 public and private/independent schools interested in both Curry and CLAS/GSAS students attend this 2-day event; 1^st day=job fair, 2^nd day=interviews.
• Consider talking with Public Schools about Instructional or Teaching Assistant positions which provide benefits and the time to be able to pursue alternative licensure coursework at the same time.