Academic advisers in all disciplines face unique advising opportunities and challenges. Advisers of education majors who are pursuing teacher certification not only have to be knowledgeable of university and college courses and requirements but must also be cognizant of the ever-changing state teacher certification regulations. In this article, I will explore some of the unique challenges that education advisers face and describe efforts by the University of Louisville to proactively address these issues.
State teacher certification regulations, based on legislation that is often enacted without consultation from university representatives, can be cumbersome and quirky. These regulations are often written in “legalese” jargon, making it difficult for advisers, let alone their students, to interpret them. Therefore, education advisers end up spending quite a bit of time asking the state certification office for assistance with interpreting the regulations. Sometimes, information about the nature of changes to the regulations does not filter down to the institutional administrators and advisers in a timely fashion, and—since state-regulated changes are based on legislation—students are not able to petition the state for exceptions to the regulations. State-regulated changes are not within an education adviser's control, yet these advisers are the ones who have the difficult job of notifying students of these changes and bearing the brunt of the anxiety and anger that students often feel. These scenarios can be difficult for advisers to handle and can cause added stress to the life of an education adviser.
Another challenge that education advisers face is maintaining current knowledge concerning testing regulations for the state in which a student wishes to become certified. These rules also change often, and advisers must constantly stay up-to-date on the testing regulations in order to prevent students from making costly financial and career mistakes. In addition, advising errors may become the target of student lawsuits or create an embarrassing public relations situation for the university.
So the question becomes, What can education advisers do to address these challenges? At the University of Louisville, in an effort to be proactive in regard to changing regulations and testing requirements, our assistant dean for student services and our certification officer attend the monthly Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) meetings held in our state capital. The EPSB governs and approves changes to state certification and testing requirements in our state and, fortunately, allows visitors to observe the portion of their meetings in which they discuss and act on these important items. By attending these meetings, our colleagues receive the most up-to-date information about impending changes and relay this information immediately to the advisers in our office. In addition, we have undertaken another proactive measure: our certification officer checks the newly created EPSB website on a weekly basis for pertinent information. Finally, we are continuing to cultivate a wonderful working relationship with the certification specialists at the EPSB so that, when our staff or faculty have questions regarding certification, we feel comfortable in contacting a specialist for expert advice and guidance on certification issues.
Another unique aspect of advising education majors is that, once students graduate from college, if they decide to pursue teaching careers, it is highly likely that they will have to return to school many times to keep their certification current. So, after students reach their initial goal of a teaching degree/certificate, an adviser may have the opportunity to see them again numerous times as their careers progress for advising on additional or advanced certification, requirements for salary advancement, or renewing their certificate. Therefore, the education adviser has to be knowledgeable about not only what students need to do to earn their initial certification but also what it will take for them to maintain their certification as they advance their careers. This continued interaction with graduates allows for long-term relationships with students and can be a source of great pride and delight as we watch our students achieve their goals, advance their careers, and blossom as educators.
For example, I have advised one student periodically over the past nine years. When she first came to our office wanting to pursue a teaching career, her grade-point average was very low. She had gone through some difficult times and often felt like she would never attain her teaching license. However, we worked together and she persevered, overcoming many educational and personal obstacles including a death in her family and a pregnancy during her undergraduate career. I am proud to say that she not only became a certified teacher but also is currently enrolled in the certification program to become a principal and is considering applying to the doctoral program. Because of the long-term educational process she has undergone to become and remain an educator, I have been able to watch her grow into a professional and celebrate her successes with her!
Another wonderful aspect of advising education majors is the knowledge that the guidance we are providing is helping to prepare the future educators of our society. Education is a powerful tool, and it is teachers who provide that education. Teachers touch the lives of all other professionals. In the words of the American historian Henry B. Adams, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops” (“Educational quotes,” n.d.). Through our work to empower these future educators, we have the opportunity to touch so many lives.
The life of an education adviser can be very challenging but very rewarding as well. We have explored some of these challenges—the most pressing one being keeping up-to-date on state teacher certification and testing requirements. These advisers must constantly be alert and educated as they are helping to prepare the future educators of the nation. However, we have pointed out that education advisers also have the pleasure of fostering long-term relationships with students over many years, helping them through the process of becoming a certified teacher, and, in many cases, watching them climb the ladder of success in the field of education. Personally, I cannot think of a better student population to work with on a daily basis.