Pay For Educator Licensure Education

Hey folks, my name is Ryan (though everyone calls me Rev) and I'm a Language Arts teacher for two private schools in Southern Utah, one middle school and one high school. Over the course of my 5+ years of teaching, the Utah State Board of Education has made the process of acquiring a full professional educator license incredibly difficult.

I started out on an alternate pathway to licensure program, which granted me a temporary license, but in the course of working towards full certification the USBE dropped the program and, for almost two years, didn't replace it with anything. It left many in limbo. Recently, they have added a program called APPEL, but have designed it in such a way as to prohibit teachers working in private schools from using it.

After searching any available alternative options, it is now clear my only option to remain licensed and keep my job is to attend a certification program at a university. From January through November I'll be attending virtual classes through Moreland University in Maryland in order to become licensed in Washington D.C. which can be transferred to Utah through reciprocity. This school was my best option due to the ability for me to complete my practicum (student teaching) hours in my own classroom rather than having to take 3 months off for an unpaid situation.

Unfortunately, it will cost at least $6500 and I'm already still paying back my student loans from my old college days. I have a teacher's salary, which means I barely get by as it is. My parents, who are incredible, are helping to cover the initial costs, but they are also struggling financially and I'd like to be able to A) Pay them back immediately and B) Take the load off of them.

I'll be honest: I've felt very hesitant about crowdfunding for myself in the past because it feels like I've failed in some way. Now, however, it's not just for me but for my parents as well (though I know they would absolutely HATE to know that I'm doing this). Any amount you can give would be gratefully appreciated and would go towards paying monthly tuition until I have achieved my full license.