Have you had a particular teacher who has inspired you toward a particular direction? Or maybe one who helped you develop one of your interests. If those experiences are spurring you to become a teacher yourself, then here’s how you arrive on the other side of the desk.
What you’ll study You can expect general requirements for teaching all grades to be the same across the country. But there is a bit of variation within states and individual schools about what is required of teachers.
To get licensed to teach, all states require: A bachelor’s degree completed with courses in liberal arts and science. Completion of a teacher training program that encompasses a certain number of credits in the subject area you choose. A certain number of credits in education courses, such as classes on how to teach. Supervised practice teaching in actual classrooms.
With so many computers in classrooms now, many states require that teachers undergo technology training as well.
Another trend is for some states to require a master’s degree. Almost all states require that you be tested at the end of your four years of college for competency in reading, writing, teaching and your intended subject area.
It is customary (and in some four-year colleges, a requirement) to wait until your sophomore year of college to apply for admission into a teacher-education program. This gives you a little more time to consider what grade level you want to teach.
How you’ll practice You may recall a student teacher in a grade or high school classroom. That person was learning how to teach by cooperating with the regular teacher on a daily basis. For a full semester, the student teacher gets a taste of the regular duties of teaching: planning lessons, grading papers, contacting parents, lunchroom duty, fire drills, hall monitoring, managing behavior and more.
Where you’ll teach Each state’s Department of Education determines how that state’s teachers will be licensed. Once you decide where you want to live and teach, contact that state’s department for a packet of information.
Let’s say you get certified in one state and decide later that you want to teach in another state. You must find out if there is “reciprocity” between the state in which you’re licensed and the one in which you’ve found a job. There may be some additional requirements for you to meet the other state’s certification.
If you expect to move around frequently after graduation, there is the possibility of becoming nationally certified. This would allow you to teach in any state. This requires developing a portfolio that shows your work in the classroom and then passing another test of teaching knowledge.
Pick a grade, any grade One of the benefits of becoming a teacher is that there are opportunities to develop your areas of interest within the field. You can choose at which level you want to teach: early childhood, elementary or secondary school. You can choose a subject area to in which to specialize, too.
Don’t know what age group your teaching skills could help the most? Consider the type of schedule you’d like to have your day follow. Elementary school teachers generally teach one group of students in a variety of subjects. Middle and high school teachers usually specialize in one subject area that they teach to a variety of students throughout the day. Teachers in any subject area, says the Occupational Outlook Handbook, often teach career-prep and life skills classes, too.
To teach at the secondary level (that’s middle or high school), you will either major in your subject area and take education courses to prepare you to teach or major in education while taking supplemental subject-area courses.
Teacher qualities The very qualities that make a good teacher are the ones needed to continue your success. These include the ability to motivate students, gain their trust and customize your teaching methods to meet the needs of individual students. Teaching requires patience, creativity and the ability to communicate effectively with students, other teachers, parents and the community.
Salaries According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for an elementary, middle or high school teacher ranges from $37,610 to about $42,000. Teachers can increase their pay by coaching teams or advising clubs, mentoring younger teachers or taking summertime jobs.
TAKE IT FROM ME What's it really like to be a teacher? Here’s what Texas second grade teacher Dulari Mehta says. The benefits: You are molding young minds. Cute handmade gifts. Summer vacation! No day is ever the same. The drawbacks: You better be self-motivated. You are often expected to do extraordinary things with very few resources and inconsistent support. The hours. You never stop being a teacher!
