|
People say all kinds of things about becoming a teacher today. Your aunt in Florida might have great advice about her certification process in 1979 and your friend in Colorado may offer stellar input on taking the PRAXIS II. But for the most accurate, applicable information on becoming a teacher, leave the details to us. At All Education Schools, we offer helpful, up-to-date information to prospective teachers. From subject-area and degree program research to interviews and salary information, we've done the hard work for you. If you want to learn how to become a teacher, just browse the following article and start your journey. 
What are the steps to becoming a teacher? 1. Research different teaching careers: Talk to teachers, volunteer in a classroom and evaluate your strengths and experiences. To learn more about different teaching careers, choose a career guide or teaching specialty on the right. 2. Talk to teachers: Read some of our teacher interviews to get a feel for what age group and environment you prefer: 3. Research your state's teaching certification requirements: Requirements vary by state. Most states have several levels of credentials for teachers and varying certifications based on the age group or subject area taught. Find online and in-class certification programs on our comprehensive school database. 4. Earn your bachelor's degree: A broad liberal arts undergraduate education will help prepare you for a career as a teacher. All states require at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, and some states require a master's degree. Learn about teaching degrees by selecting a degree in the box to the right. 5. Complete an accredited teacher education program: More and more states are requiring certified teachers to hold master's degrees. Across the country there are hundreds of master's degree teacher education programs and no two are the same. Find a one-to-two year post-baccalaureate program for you on our comprehensive school database. 6. Pass teacher examinations: You'll need to pass either a state test or the widely used PRAXIS exam to gain licensure and become a teacher. Find out which test is best for you by reading our teaching examinations article.
How long does it take to become a teacher? Time frame is very important when you are looking to find out how to become a teacher. There are several paths to becoming a teacher. At minimum you'll need to complete a four-year bachelor's degree program and, in many states, you will need to complete a one-to-two year master's degree program as well. All states require public school teachers to become licensed before beginning their teaching career. Contact your state's department of public instruction for your state's requirements. Many states currently offer emergency and provisional teaching credentials to those interested in becoming teachers in understaffed areas or subjects. For more information, see our teacher certification article. What are the typical teaching program prerequisites? All post-baccalaureate programs require a bachelor's degree, but individual course requirements vary. Many schools require an undergraduate GPA above 3.0 and passage of a test such as the PRAXIS I, which tests basic math, reading and writing skills. What if I've never taught before? All teacher education programs include a student teaching component, and all 50 states require certification candidates to have significant in-class teaching experience. Many institutions now offer a student teaching component early in the program to help students better understand schools from a teacher's point of view.
What is a typical teacher salary? If you are wondering how to become a teacher, you may also want to consider how much teachers make. Salaries vary widely depending on geographic area and level of education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of kindergarten, elementary, middle and secondary school teachers was nearly $49,000 in 2006 with the top 10 percent earning upwards of $76,000 a year. For more specific salary information, see any of our teacher salary articles below: How many hours do teachers work? Most teachers work over 40-hours per week including class time, parent conferencing, curriculum preparation and grading. However, over 12 weeks of paid vacation per year brings yearly hours down to below those worked by the average full-time worker. Vacation time provides teachers with opportunities to teach summer sessions, take other jobs, travel or pursue other personal interests. Many enroll in college courses or continuing education workshops. What career opportunities will I have as a teacher? When you become a teacher, you enter a world of opportunity. From subject-matter to age-group to responsibility level, there are opportunities to grow your career in a number of different directions. Some aspire to school management or leadership positions while others pursue tenure and the heftier paychecks that go with it. For ideas on how to chart your teaching career success, see our school administration career paths article or browse the listings above and to the right to research different teaching careers.  |
