{"id":3251,"date":"2026-11-05T15:15:35","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T15:15:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanboard.org\/blog\/?p=3251"},"modified":"2026-11-05T15:15:40","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T15:15:40","slug":"from-paraeducator-to-teacher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanboard.org\/blog\/from-paraeducator-to-teacher\/","title":{"rendered":"From Paraeducator to Biology Teacher: Cayce&#8217;s Story"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Cayce Helderman returned to Spartanburg High School to teach biology alongside the teacher who inspired her love of the subject. Before she went back to her alma mater, Cayce worked as a paraeducator in a special education classroom. That\u2019s where she decided she wanted a classroom of her own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her journey from paraeducator to biology teacher shows how someone already working in a school can pursue <a href=\"http:\/\/www.americanboard.org\">online teacher certification<\/a> while keeping their job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Working as a Paraeducator Inspired Cayce to Become a Teacher<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBefore I started teaching I was working as a para educator in a special needs classroom,\u201d Cayce says. \u201cIt was in that role that I realized that I wanted to have a classroom of my own using my science background.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She already knew what it was like to support students in a classroom. Now she wanted to bring her science background into one of her own. The next step was finding a route to teacher certification that fit her budget and work schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Cayce Pursued Online Teacher Certification While Working<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cayce found American Board through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ed.sc.gov\/educators\/alternative-certification\/american-board\">South Carolina Department of Education\u2019s website<\/a>. The cost stood out right away. \u201cWhat really drew me to American Board was the affordability of the program,\u201d she says. \u201cIt was well within my budget.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The self-paced format mattered just as much. \u201cI was able to continue working in my current role while also working on my certification. I was able to study on my time and in a way that worked for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cayce also knew what she wanted to teach. \u201cI also like that I had the freedom to pursue the subject and grade level that I want to teach. Also, American Board provides career advice and coaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Teaching High School Biology at Her Alma Mater<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI now teach high school biology at my alma mater of Spartanburg High School in South Carolina,\u201d Cayce says. \u201cIt was really special to be able to come back home and work along side the teacher who inspired my love of biology.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now Cayce gets to see students discover what she loved about biology. \u201cI love all the big personalities that my students have,\u201d she says. \u201cIt is so rewarding when I see a student master a concept or see the excitement on their faces when a lab they are doing is successful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her work at school also gives her a chance to pursue another passion. \u201cWith teaching I am also able to pursue my passion coaching soccer as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Start Your Own Teaching Story with American Board<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cayce\u2019s advice comes from experience. \u201cAmerican Board is perfect for working individuals who are looking to make a career change and is very affordable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re a paraeducator who wants to lead a classroom, your experience supporting students is a place to start. If you\u2019re coming from another field, think about the subject you\u2019d be excited to teach. American Board\u2019s self-paced study materials can help you prepare for certification exams around your current job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ready to become a teacher? Explore&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/americanboard.org\/\">American Board\u2019s online teacher certification program<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/americanboard.org\/find-your-state\/\">find the requirements for the state where you want to teach<\/a>. If you want to follow a path like Cayce\u2019s, start with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/americanboard.org\/states\/south-carolina\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">South Carolina teacher certification<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meet Cayce Helderman<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"720\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1280 \/ 720;\" width=\"1280\" controls src=\"https:\/\/americanboard.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/IMG_5848.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Cayce Helderman on Becoming a Biology Teacher.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQs About Becoming a Biology Teacher in South Carolina<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can a paraeducator become a biology teacher in South Carolina?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. Eligible paraeducators can pursue South Carolina\u2019s alternative certification route through American Board. You\u2019ll need a bachelor\u2019s degree that meets accreditation requirements and must complete the required exams and state certification steps. See the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ed.sc.gov\/educators\/alternative-certification\/american-board\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">South Carolina Department of Education\u2019s American Board pathway<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What exams do I need to become a high school biology teacher through American Board?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For South Carolina\u2019s Biology pathway, candidates take American Board\u2019s Biology and Professional Teaching Knowledge (PTK) exams. After earning the American Board completion certificate, candidates apply through the state. South Carolina issues the initial Alternative Route Teaching Certificate after applicants complete its requirements and secure qualifying employment. See the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/americanboard.org\/states\/south-carolina\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">South Carolina certification steps<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What grades can I teach with South Carolina\u2019s Biology certification?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>South Carolina lists Biology as a high school certification field for grades 9\u201312. Check the subject and grade range before you enroll, especially if you\u2019re interested in teaching middle school science. See the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ed.sc.gov\/educators\/alternative-certification\/american-board\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">state\u2019s approved certification fields<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I work as a paraeducator while preparing for teacher certification?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. American Board\u2019s study materials are online and self-paced. Cayce continued working as a paraeducator while preparing for certification and studied when it fit her schedule. Explore the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/americanboard.org\/subjects\/biology\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Biology program and study materials<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cayce Helderman returned to Spartanburg High School to teach biology alongside the teacher who inspired her love of the subject. Before she went back to her alma mater, Cayce worked as a paraeducator in a special education classroom. That\u2019s where she decided she wanted a classroom of her own. Her journey from paraeducator to biology [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":3253,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[151,141,148,134,132,142],"class_list":["post-3251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-american-board-success-stories","tag-affordable-teacher-certification","tag-become-a-teacher","tag-community-impact","tag-online-teacher-certification","tag-teacher-testimonials","tag-transition-to-teaching"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>From Paraeducator to Biology Teacher: Cayce&#039;s Story - American Board Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"See how Cayce went from paraeducator to biology teacher in South Carolina with American Board\u2019s self-paced online teacher certification.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/americanboard.org\/blog\/from-paraeducator-to-teacher\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"From Paraeducator to Biology Teacher: Cayce&#039;s Story - 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