YAKIMA -- Do you have a 4-year degree and are you interested in changing careers to become a teacher? Then consider the Alternative Route to Teacher Certification program, which offers a fast-track option that can allow you to become certified in just one year to become a teacher in high-need subject areas.

Educational Service District 105 is presenting informational meetings this week about the program:

• Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7:00 p.m. at the ESD 105 Conference Center's Klickitat Room (33 S. 2nd Avenue in Yakima)

• Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 7:00 p.m. at the ESD 105 Conference Center's Klickitat Room (33 S. 2nd Avenue in Yakima)

• Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7:00 p.m. at Ellensburg High School in Room F-131 (1203 Capitol Avenue in Ellensburg)

The program’s $8,000 enrollment is in the form of a scholarship/loan that is fully forgiven by the state when participants complete 2 years of teaching. About 30 of these scholarships are generally available locally for each year’s session. The program’s current 2009-2010 session has 19 people enrolled. Through the Alternative Route Program, the course study and full-time classroom internship can be completed in as little as 10 months, less than half the time of most teaching certification programs offered by colleges and universities. The Alternative Route program is ideal for people who may not be making it in their current position or who are retired and may want to re-enter the workforce to obtain additional income as a teacher. The deadline to apply for the Alternative Route program’s 2010-2011 session is April 9, 2010. However, applicants are urged to begin the application process now in order to complete required testing. The program is designed to help the region’s schools fill teaching positions in the following subject areas: special education, general science, middle school mathematics and science, chemistry, physics, biology, instrumental music, early childhood special education, choral music, English as a second language, bilingual education, and Japanese.