How To Become A Teacher
Most of us have a favorite teacher from our childhoods maybe it was the teacher who taught you how to read or the one who taught you how to value diversity, or even the one who taught you how to play kickball. Perhaps that teacher is your inspiration for wanting to become a teacher yourself. If youre asking yourself what degree do you need to be a teacher and are ready to learn about the steps for becoming the teacher you aspire to be, check out this How to Become a Teacher guide!
Weve broken down the steps to becoming a teacher, including what degrees youll need and what exams youll have to pass. While there are many different paths to becoming a teacher, they all begin with a bachelors degree — but they dont all end there.
Prepare Your Resume And Start Applying
A well-organized, professional, and comprehensive resume emphasizes:
- Academic qualifications
- Practical experience
- Applicable skills
Applying for education jobs that attract your attention. Emphasize how you believe you are the right fit and prove your capability for a teaching position in an interview. Teaching applications commonly ask for supporting documents, as follows:
- Letters of reference
- Application for employment
- Application fee for the particular background checks
- Transcripts from all attended schools. Although you can send in unofficial transcripts with the application, official transcripts are generally needed later.
Lesson Planning & Assessment
English teachers develop specialized lessons following their schools curriculum, students needs, and state learning guidelines. They utilize instructional strategies to assist students in meeting their required learning outcomes.
English teachers are responsible for developing assessment tools, such as speech topics, essay questions, and comprehension examinations. They also grade and examine the assessments to provide feedback to improve students understanding of the English language.
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Take The Required Teaching Exam
Almost all states require that tests are passed in order to receive a credential, license or certification. There are two types of tests: basic skills tests look at the general areas of academic ability , and then there are subject area tests that assess the qualifications in a specialty to become an English teacher youll need to pass specialty area testing in English and English instruction.
Whether or not a teacher needs to pass both a basic skills test and a subject area test is up to the state. Some states will require single-subject credential applications to only pass a specialty area test, and some will require that they also pass a basic skills test. Additional, a state may have its own test for local laws and education practices.
States may use their own examinations, or they may use Praxis Examinations. Praxis is a national testing organization, and many states direct candidates to the Praxis testing program. Praxis has nationally recognized competency examinations in both basic skills areas and specialty areas. They both administer and score the test and can then share the test results directly with the state licensing/credentialing authorities. Both state sponsored and Praxis tests often have several segments or parts, and the state will determine which portions of various examinations must be passed in order for an applicant to meet the competency requirements.
In states that offer endorsement programs, competency tests will still be required.
Completing A Teacher Preparation Program
A teacher preparation program either as part of your bachelors degree or separately is required in order to teach in a PreK-12 classroom. You dont need this type of teacher certification if youll be working in higher education, but you will need at least a masters degree and research experience to do so. As already mentioned, if your teacher preparation program isnt integrated into your degree coursework, expect an additional one to two years for completion before you can start your teaching career.
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Complete Your Bed Program Including A Practicum
During a BEd program, you’ll learn the concepts and best practices involved in managing a class of students. You’ll also have the opportunity to teach. This step requires completing a student-teaching practicum. In other words, you will be responsible for every aspect of teaching, from creating lesson plans to marking papers. But don’t panic: Your training up to this point will have prepared you to lead a class. And you’ll be supervised by an experienced teacher.
For a successful practicum, it’s wise to maintain a professional image. After all, you want to set a good example. Keep these tips in mind:
- Be prepared. Students sometimes like to “test” their student teachers. Having a solid game plan for every class will help youâand your classâstay focused.
- Respect the dress code. Make sure you look like a teacher, not a student.
- Arrive on time. You always want to appear professional in the eyes of students and colleagues. That includes being punctual and polite.
- Respect your students’ confidentiality. New teachers are sometimes so excited by their students that they want to talk about them all the time. Don’t forget your school’s confidentiality policies.
- Be careful online. Find out what your school’s social media rules are for teachers.
Occupational Employment And Wage Statistics
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.
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What Are The Basic Requirements To Teach English Abroad
When it comes to teaching English abroad, there are basic requirements that the majority of countries require.
- Native or fluent level of English
- Bachelors degree in any subject
- TEFL/TESOL certificate
- Clean criminal record
Some regions like the Middle East have stricter requirements for prospective teachers while other countries may not require a degree or a TEFL certificate.
Career Paths For English Teachers
English teachers have two predominant career trajectories:
- They can continue teaching English and upgrade from a lower teaching level to a higher one.
- They can leave teaching for an administrative position.
For instance, a middle school English teacher can upgrade to a high school teaching position. In contrast, high school English teachers can aim for post-secondary jobs. They can also pursue the second option and pursue administrative functions, such as counselors and principals.
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English Teacher Requirements And Common Tasks
When hiring an English teacher at the elementary level, schools typically require a bachelors degree in elementary education. To teach at the secondary level, a bachelors degree in English in combination with a state-approved teacher preparation program is a common pathway, though it is also possible to obtain a bachelors degree in secondary education with a specialization in English. Most colleges and universities require post-baccalaureate degrees in English, like a masters degree or PhD. Prospective teachers who intend to teach K-12 classes with non-native English speaking students may find it beneficial, or sometimes required, to earn a degree in teaching English as a second language .
The English teachers role in K-12 schools is to effectively teach the correct usage of the English language in speaking and writing and to help students develop creative composition skills through reading and literature classes. The teacher should be attuned to the learning progress of students, especially to non-native English speakers, and be able to identify when to use alternative teaching strategies when necessary. In addition to classroom management tasks, English teachers interact with other faculty during staff meetings and professional development activities, as well as parents of students. Many teachers of English also participate in student tutoring and may advise extracurricular student clubs.
How To Become A Teacher In Pa
Earlier, we laid out the steps to becoming a teacher. However, teacher requirements vary on a state-by-state basis. So while the basic requirements are similar to what you read above, Pennsylvania has some specific requirements for all teachers, which are spelled out below:
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Apply For A Position In Desired School Districts
Applying for a teaching position can be a tedious process. Generally, there is a packet with a lot of requirements involved. Youll want to read through all the documents carefully, so you fill out the application and provide all the required documents on time. Teaching applications general include the following:
- Application for employment
- Letters of reference
- Transcripts from all schools attended. You can send unofficial transcripts with the application, but official transcripts will be needed later.
- Application fees for specific background checks
Entry Requirements For Teacher Training
To train as a teacher in the England, you need:
- A degree of a 2:2 or above. If you want to teach at secondary or post-compulsory level, your degree should be in, or relevant to, the subject you want to teach. If it’s not, contact a training provider as you may be able to take a subject knowledge enhancement course.
- At least a GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent in English and maths. If you want to teach primary or early years you will also need a GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent in a science subject. Some training providers may accept equivalency tests but you’ll need to check with the individual provider.
- To have declared any previous convictions and undergone the criminal records check through the Disclosure and Barring Service .
In Wales, you’ll need:
- At least a GCSE grade B/5 or equivalent in English and maths. Early years and primary teachers also need grade C/4 in a science subject.
- An undergraduate degree awarded by a UK higher education institution or equivalent.
- A degree with at least 50% relevance to the subject you want to teach to become a secondary school teacher.
- Unlike their English counterparts, Welsh teachers are not required to pass professional skills tests. However, some training providers may require you to sit numeracy and literacy tests.
- To have declared any previous convictions and undergone the criminal records check through the Disclosure and Barring Service .
You’ll need the following to train in Scotland:
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How Many Teachers Work In Public Vs Private Schools
Most teachers in the U.S. work in public schools: a total of 3,525,397. This category includes organizations that provide free instruction to the public, operated by a public school district. These schools may be for elementary- and secondary-age children, adult education, career and technical education, and special needs students. Public school teachers account for 88% of the teachers in the U.S.
Some federally funded public schools in the U.S. are located on Indian reservations and are run by local Native American tribal councils. These are known as Bureau of Indian Education schools, and theyre part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs . There are 2,857 teachers that work in these schools.
Private and Catholic schools account for about 9% of teachers. There are 234,682 teachers who work in private schools, while 127,504 teach in Catholic schools. These schools usually require students to pay tuition and may cover grades K-12, including special needs. They also include privately run career/technical and adult education organizations.
No Degree No Problem: The 6 Best Countries To Teach English Without A College Degree
Find out where in the world you can teach English without a degree and learn about 6 top destinations for TEFL jobs when you have no degree.
John Bentley| January 4, 2023
January 4, 2023
Considering the overwhelming number of possible places to teach English overseas, its inevitable that each country will require different qualifications for English instructors. Because of visa requirements or government restrictions, certain countries may require that English teachers hold a four-year degree. However, if you don’t have a degree, do not let this deter you.
According to our count, there are dozens of countries throughout the world where you can live and explore while teaching English, even without a university degree. ESL jobs that don’t require a degree are plentiful if you know which countries to look for work in. Sounds great, right? Let’s address a few questions:
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Find Your First Teaching Job
This step also varies a bit from one province or territory to another. In some regions , you can access a central registry that includes job openings and teachers looking for work. In other regions, such as Newfoundland and Labrador, you can find job postings through individual school districts.
In regions with tight job markets, you may have to register as a substitute teacher before eventually being hired for a full-time position. Substitute teaching can be a great way to make connections with potential coworkers and get your foot in the door.
Why You Still Need A Degree To Teach In Arizona
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Arizona is facing a teacher shortage. For several years now the state has contended with thousands of vacant positions for teaching jobs. Last year, then Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law SB 1159 to address this pressing need for more educators. The bill received a lot of attention, with news outlets reporting that SB 1159 made it so teachers no longer need a bachelors degree to teach in Arizona.
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Who Will My Students Be
English teachers can be expected to work with students from a broad range of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. The age range of your students will depend on whether you teach English at the middle school, high school or post-secondary level. However, most English teachers instruct middle school or high school.
Q& a: How Long Does It Take To Be A Teacher
The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed’s data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.
If you enjoy working with children and like the idea of having variety in your day-to-day activities, a career as a teacher may be for you. With the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of kids and impact their future, this career is often extremely rewarding. Learning how long it takes to become one and the steps you need to take to earn a teacher certification can help you decide whether this job is right for you.
In this article, we discuss some of the most frequently asked questions about this career, including the national average salaries for different types of teachers, the job outlook for this role and some of the benefits of being a teacher.
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Learn More About Teaching In Arizona
Want to find out more about your best route to certification in Arizona? Want to find out what Rio Salado’s educator preparation program offers? Fill out this form or give us a call at 517-8580 to learn more about how we can help you become a teacher.
Did you know HLC approved Rio Salado’s request to offer a bachelor’s in elementary education/special education beginning in Fall 2023? Learn more online:
State And County School Teachers
Many states operate educational organizations that provide instruction to the public. These are primarily in the form of special services in special education or career and technical education, such as state-run schools for the deaf and the blind. There are 102,598 teachers that work in state-run schools in the U.S.
Individual counties within states may also run their own schools, often to provide special services such as special needs, adult education, and career and technical education. Some county schools are administered by county superintendents offices others are independent. County schools account for 14,870 teachers.
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Dual Major In English And A Second Language
Though English is a broad topic, its generally not as in-demand as teaching positions that cover math, science, and technology. One way to stay competitive in a growing pool of English-teaching candidates is to choose a dual major. The second major should focus on a foreign language like Spanish. At the end of the program, graduates can opt to be dual-certified for teaching both English and the language of their choice. This gives them more ways to:
- provide context for each of their specialties
Elementary Student Describes Lockdown Horror At Virginia School Where Police Say A 6
As police investigate the circumstances that led to a 6-year-old boy allegedly shooting and injuring a teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, Friday, a student at the school described the harrowing moment the lockdown was called.
We were doing math an announcer came on she was like, lockdown, I repeat lockdown, said fifth grader Novah Jones, who was located in a different classroom. I was scared it was like my first lockdown and I didnt know what to do, so I just hid under my desk like everybody was.
I was thinking that a man was going to shoot us, Novah said.
The teacher wounded in Fridays shooting, whose injury was initially described as life-threatening, was listed in stable condition by Saturday, according to the Newport News Police Department.
Authorities and the Newport News public school district did not name the teacher, but her alma mater, James Madison University, identified her as Abby Zwerner.
The 6-year-old boy was taken into police custody, Police Chief Steve Drew said in a news conference, adding that this was not an accidental shooting.
There had been an altercation between the teacher and the student, who had the firearm, Drew said. A single round was fired and no other students were involved, he added.
The shooting came just six days into the new year, with police swarming a campus that still had a Happy New Year sign outside.
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