I have found that it is next to impossible to teach without a credential (unless you want to homeschool or aide). Schools, even alternative schools, generally are proud of the fact they can say that all of their teachers are credentialed. And, it is not usually very difficult to find a credentialed teacher (that does not mean they are any good, just that they have the piece of paper). In our school, even our aides are licensed (Title I, etc).
The question you need to ask yourself is how much are you willing to do in order to teach? If you really want to teach, you will probably have to get your credential.
I started helping in my school as a computer mentor, without a credential. I could help students with online courses (that had a credentialed teacher “teaching”), which means I taught the class, but wasn’t actually a teacher. I found that I wanted to teach my students, instead of having an online teacher, so I applied for a Class 4B Technical credential, based on my experience. It was a pain, but I was finally given that credential. Now, I can teach students computers and computer based skills, but nothing else.
Once I decided that I loved to teach, it was worth it to go back and get my credential to teach math. Again, a pain, some cost and a lot of BS. But I finally start my student teaching in the fall. Yes, even with a tech credential, and a full year of teaching, I need to ‘student teach’ before the state will generously grant me permission to teach. It’s stupid, but it’s the game that must be played to be able to teach.
I wish you lots of luck!!
