Type in a career question:
salary_header

How to become a Teacher?

2 Answer(s)
Top Answer
Talent.com talent.com
Answered March 04 2021
Career Expert at Talent.com
Most Teachers start by earning a bachelor’s degree in teaching. Many colleges across the country offer teaching programs, but it is important to ensure that the CAEP accredits the program you want to pursue.  Depending on what you would like to teach, you can either earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in education. Within the program, you will learn skills such as classroom management, lesson and curriculum planning, and educational psychology. 

Every college has different ways of structuring its programs, so it is essential to do your research and choose a program that feels like a good fit for your learning style and career goals.

Within an education program, you can choose elementary or secondary education concentrations, teaching English as a second language (ESL), or physical education. 

Once you have completed your degree, you need to apply for your teaching license. Different states have different requirements for granting teaching licenses, so you should research what the state you want to work in requires. For example, some states, such a New York, require an additional teaching certificate on top of a bachelor’s degree. Many states also require passing the Praxis test. Passing the Praxis is to ensure that you have a decent amount of general knowledge, as well as subject-specific knowledge in the subject you want to teach.  

Important Things to Know Before Becoming a Teacher

  • Teaching is a time commitment
From lesson planning to grading to emails and meetings with parents, Teachers regularly put in more than 8 hours. Education is not a typical 9-5 job, and you need to understand what that entails for other aspects of your life.

  • Working with parents can be challenging
Parents may have lots of different expectations for what you should be teaching and how you should be teaching it. Everyone has gone to school at some point, so many people feel like that makes them experts in pedagogy. On the other hand, parents can sometimes be your best ally with their children. The key is learning how to work with parents effectively.

  • You will be expected to continue to learn and develop professionally
Even once you become a licensed Teacher, you will still need to learn new teaching methods and keep up with any relevant educational psychology research. Furthermore, as technology advances, you will need to be able to keep up so you can use technology in a way that serves your educational goals in the classroom. 

  • The first year can be a struggle.
Teaching has a very high attrition rate, and about 40% of new Teachers leave the profession within their first five years. Please do not base your decision to stay or leave the job after the first year; it is a steep learning curve for all Teachers. You can implement many strategies to have a more comfortable first year; take some time to plan for them, and they will pay off. 
Answered July 26 2022

Every college has different ways of structuring its programs, so it is essential to do your research and choose a program that feels like a good fit for your learning style and career goals.

 

Easteregg!