Well ... it may vary from place to place. Perhaps it may depend on how much of a teacher shortage there is. Around here, you can be hired and then begin working on your certificate. (There are requirements though - I think a BA at minimum, but not necessarily a background in education?) A teacher who does not complete their certification within the time frame (2-3 years?) would likely be put on probation or more likely let go (essentially it IS a probationary period without certification). It is typically done online though, and mostly involves passing the tests.
I know of places where the school system is mostly all Christians. Of course one cannot teach Christianity to students, but there are places where it is far from a problem to be a Christian.
Not disagreeing with your experience, Rus. It's an absolute nightmare some places. But just to say there is some variation still. Though I will say those are mostly rural districts, not progressive, not so well funded, and so on. But to be honest, if I had children in school, I'd send them to a school like that rather than a well-funded more progressive school in what amounts to a worse area - I've seen much more violence, lack of respect, administrator burnout or lack of regulating, and the teaching methods are less effective, even with all the money they are throwing at some of those "problem districts".
