Teacher Qualifications
Consistent with all public schools in Utah, all of ELA’s teachers will be licensed, certified teachers. They may alternatively be qualified to teach under the Utah State Office of Education’s Alternative Route to Licensure Program, or otherwise authorized through the Utah State Office of Education.
Teachers and paraprofessionals meet USBE Highly Qualified Teacher requirements or are on an approved path for becoming highly qualified.
Services provided by paraprofessionals are under the direct supervision of and in close proximity to a highly qualified teacher.
Parents have the right to request and receive information on the qualifications of their children’s teacher(s). Parents can read teacher bios on the school website and contact the Director in the main office for more information regarding teacher licensing and paraprofessional highly qualified status.
Information on teacher credentialing and licensing is available at the USBE Website.
Teacher Designations & Levels
The following designations or levels apply to educator licenses, license areas (i.e. elementary, secondary, special education), and content endorsements (i.e. mathematics, music, Spanish, social studies).
Professional – The educator has completed an educator preparation program that includes content and pedagogical knowledge. This program may have been completed at a university or in an alternate pathway that was supported by school districts/charters and the Utah State Board of Education.
Associate – The educator is currently completing an educator preparation program, but has not yet completed all requirements for a Professional Educator License, license area, or endorsement. The educator is enrolled in a university-based or Local Education Agency (LEA)-based program. When the educator completes the program, they will have a professional level.
LEA-Specific – The educator has not completed an educator preparation and is not currently enrolled in one. The LEA Specific is available for all License Areas. Only SPED (Special Education and Preschool Special Education) have the one-year only restriction, otherwise, the LEA can specify their educator for up to three years.
Educator Licensing %
*Professional: 88%
*Associate: 5%
*LEA-Specific: 4%
*Non-Licensed: 3%
LEA-Specific
Our teachers who hold LEA-specific licenses!
Early Light Academy employs individuals holding LEA-specific licenses, license areas, or endorsements in accordance with Utah Admin. Code R277-301-7. Additional information on educator licensing can be found at: https://cactus.schools.utah.gov/PersonSearch. Below are some of our teachers who hold LEA-Specific licenses!
.01
SECONDARY, SPANISH TEACHER
Marisa Tebbs
Marisa Tebbs is in the process of entering the APPEL program. She has held a Utah teaching license in Family and Consumer Sciences. She is in the process of adding the Spanish endorsement. She was in a very serious accident that delayed her progress due to an extended hospital stay and intensive recovery. Granting an LEA-specific license will allow her to continue on the path to licensure that she is on.
.02
SECONDARY, SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER
Kevin Worthley
Kevin Worthley is a licensed educator who was enrolled last year in an SAEP for a Social Studies Composite endorsement. He only has two courses left to finish. The only times the courses were offered were during the work day without the option for an online opportunity. As a result, he needs an extension in order to fulfill the final requirements. An LEA-specific license will support that effort.
.03
SECONDARY, UTAH STUDIES TEACHER
Kylee Woodfield
Kylee Woodfield is a professionally licensed teacher in Secondary English Education. The LEA specific license is requested in order for Kylee to obtain her Social Studies Composite endorsement.