Elementary Teacher Certification
Begin your rewarding career as an elementary teacher! Candidates interested in elementary certification are encouraged to apply!
Accepting Applications August 25, 2025- February 23, 2026
Become A Certified Elementary Teacher
The Elementary Certification Program at Region 13 trains and supports participants seeking Core Subjects Early Childhood (EC) – Grade 6 certification. This cohort is ideal for applicants in the Austin metro area who are interested in an in-person hybrid cohort model that offers a synchronous and asynchronous learning environment with a personalized approach to ensure success. This cohort model is ideal for candidates seeking English as a Second Language, Bilingual, or Special Education certification in Elementary Early Childhood – 6th grade who value rigorous and structured certification preparation. This elementary hybrid cohort model includes:
- TExES test preparation with a high passing success rate;
- research-based instructional practices classes for ESL, bilingual, and special education educators;
- curriculum and instruction aligned to the Texas Teacher Standards;
- research-based instructional practices for elementary teachers;
- all participants are supported by dedicated staff experts in their fields.
Our Elementary Certification Program is for participants in Austin and surrounding areas, employed by schools within the Region 13 service area, and those from schools within a 100-mile radius of Austin. This program prepares you for the reality of teaching and participants develop reflective habits to refine their practice beyond their first year of teaching. It is our honor to be a part of the beginning of a teacher’s career and walk beside you on your certification journey.
Elementary Certification Options
EC-6 Core Subjects - ESL
The Core Subjects EC-6 certification area will allow a participant to teach English language arts and reading (ELAR), math, science, social studies, music, art, health and physical education in Early Childhood (EC) through Grade 6.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental exam will be added to this certification area to help participants learn the foundations of ESL education, cultural awareness, family and community involvement, language concepts, language acquisition, and ESL instructional strategies to use in a diverse classroom with English learners.
EC-6 Core Subjects - Bilingual
The Bilingual Core Subjects certification area will allow a participant to teach English language arts and reading (ELAR), and Spanish language arts and reading (SLAR), math, science, social studies, music, art, health and physical education in Early Childhood (EC) through Grade 6, in an English/Spanish bilingual environment. Participants must demonstrate a near-native proficiency level in speaking, reading, writing, and listening in Spanish to qualify for this program.
Special Education EC-12
The Special Education (SPED) EC-12 certification area will allow a participant to teach children with disabilities in a variety of classroom settings in Early Childhood (EC) through grade 12. These classroom settings include early childhood special education (ECSE), life skills, resource, inclusion and behavior programs.
Dual Certification - EC-12 Special Education Bilingual
The dual certification allows a participant to become certified in bilingual core subjects EC-6 and special education EC-12.
Certification Options
View all the certification options available through ECP
Program Requirements
Bachelor's Degree
Candidates must have a degree earned from and conferred by an accredited institution of higher education.
Min 2.5 Grade Point Average
Official College Transcripts
Request your official transcripts be sent to the ECP office.
Content Area Proficiency
Candidates must meet the content area proficiency requirements specific to their program.
Submit Application
Complete our online application with all required documents.
Requirements
View your content area's specific certification requirements
Curriculum
Our certification program curriculum is aligned with Texas Education Agency standards and educational best practices. All curriculum is taught by certified staff and content area experts.
Training
Participants will be required to attend training that will continue to build on instruction learned during pre-service training.
- delivering engaging instruction
- developing and using student assessments
- understanding student diversity and instructional differentiation
- preparing for formal classroom observations
- preparing for TExES PPR exam
- preparing for TExES content exams
- the science of teaching reading
- facilitating guided reading, writing and math
- integrating science and social studies content into lesson planning
- managing stations in the elementary classroom
- training specific to Early Childhood (Pre-K), Primary (1st – 2nd), Intermediate (3rd – 6th)
- overview and integrations of read aloud and balanced literacy
Technology
- incorporating the effective use of current technology in instruction
- evaluating students’ technologically produced products and projects
- utilizing technology applications in problem-solving situations and project-based learning activities
- using developmentally appropriate instructional practices, activities, and materials to integrate the Technology Applications TEKS into the curriculum
- managing technology platforms to increase communication with student families on academic and behavior progress
What’s Next?
Info Sessions
Find out more about our programs by attending one of our info sessions.
Apply
Complete our online application and take the first step in becoming a fully certified teacher.