There are few professions that are more rewarding or impactful than teaching. You make a world of difference in the lives of your students and enjoy great job security and respect in the community. If you love to teach and have your heart set on the profession, hctutorial outlines everything you need to know about becoming a full-fledged (public) teacher.
Step 1: Consider Who You’d Like to Teach
First, you must decide what age range you would like to teach. Would you prefer to teach grammar school or high school? AP Guru offers a complete guide on the education system in the UK if you need a refresher. Below is a quick summation:
- Pre-K: optional, but available for kids aged 3-5
- Elementary or Primary School: compulsory, but length varies by state. Kindergarten through 5th or 6th grades is common (ages 5 to 10 or 11).
- Middle School or Junior High: compulsory, but some states require students to complete 5th grade, while others require completion of 6th grade before entering.
- High School or Senior High School: compulsory after the completion of Middle School/Junior High.
- College: additional non-compulsory education completed after high school graduation.
Step 2: Figure Out the Education You Need
You’ll need to complete various credentials or certificates to teach in Pre-K through Elementary or Primary School. Pre-K teachers are required to complete a teacher preparation program, competency exams, and state licensing. the credentialing program appropriate for your grade and/or subject level. Teachers for K-12 need a bachelor’s degree, successful completion of a teacher preparation program, supervised teaching experience, and passing of certain state-specific tests.
If you would like to teach Junior High or High School, you will need a Single Subject Teaching Credential that will show your knowledge in a specific subject area, like math or English. Specializations may qualify you for higher-level jobs or special education. Below is an overview of the duties you may be asked to perform by level:
- Elementary school: teachers at this level are expected to instruct in a group of subjects, not just one, as the curriculum for younger kids is broad.
- Middle school and high school: at this level, you’re expected to specialize in one subject and teach it in depth.
- Special education: in addition to your subject, you’ll be required to know about disabilities like autism, visual impairment, and Down syndrome.
- English Language Learning instruction: if you have a passion for non-native English speakers, you might want to focus on ELL students here or in another country. Look into programs and curriculum that could help you achieve this goal.
Pursuing a teaching degree is a long-established way of becoming a teacher. If you prefer to learn at your own pace or need a degree that can accommodate your busy schedule, an online program might be suitable for you. You’ll be able to take care of your existing work and life responsibilities while still achieving your dream.
Step 3: Get Teaching Experience
Next, you’ll need teaching experience. Unless you are teaching Pre-K, your credentialing program will likely integrate time as a Teaching Assistant, or TA. Ask your advisor for assistance. You should also be able to find opportunities after you graduate. Usually, it’s mandatory to have a certain amount of hours of teaching experience to get licensed.
Step 4: Acquire Teaching Certification
After you have your relevant bachelor’s degree, it’s time to become certified for Qualified Teaching Status. Acquiring this is a four-step process:
- Complete a teacher preparation program. There are several ways to complete this step, so check your state’s requirements and enquire with your college about your choices.
- Complete your supervised teaching experience. The hours required are state-specific, but one semester of full time teaching experience is generally required.
- Submit and pass a background check.
- Complete the process for your state teaching credential. Note that some states require a test for this step. You may also be required – or choose – to complete additional optional national certifications.
After you complete this process, note that you will also need to maintain your certification through CE (continuing education) credits and license renewals.
Step 5: Learn Classroom Management… and Self-Care
Teaching is not an easy job. The Conversation reports that new teachers have their work cut out for them. Teachers have to know their stuff, make it accessible and engaging, and finally manage often unruly children. It can be a struggle to survive, at least in the beginning. That’s why every new teacher-to-be must pick up classroom management and self-care skills. The former will make managing children easier, while the latter will assist you in finding and maintaining that perfect work-life balance.
Self-care comes in many forms, but at the core, it means doing things that feed your mental, spiritual, and physical health. From time for meditation to decluttering to safely degerming your workspace, ensure you establish a self-care plan that helps you feel your best in all regards.
Step 6: Find a Job
Finally, once you have your certification, you’re ready to find a job. The most popular job boards, like Indeed and Glassdoor, are great ways to land a job. You can network with teachers you know via LinkedIn and get your foot in the door that way, too. Finally, browsing through specific school websites for listed positions should also help.
It’s important to realize that you may need to move in order to find a great teaching job, so keep that in mind as you look for open positions. If moving feels like a serious possibility, start looking at housing in different areas so you know which places are realistic for you. If you currently own a home, now is also a great time to have it appraised so you know how much equity you have established. Moving doesn’t mean you have to sell. In fact, you may choose to rent out your house as a source of income and as a safety net in case you decide to move back. But it’s best to look into your options so you can make an informed decision.
Once you’re ready to apply for a job, it’s important to have a stellar and professional-looking resume to give yourself the best chance to land your first job. If you prefer working in Google docs, you can easily save your resume as a PDF once it’s completed. When you follow a few quick steps to convert a Google Doc to a PDF, you’ll be on your way. PDFs are ideal for sharing CVs when applying for a job.
Consider a Career in Teaching
Nobody said that being a teacher was easy, but it can be an incredibly rewarding career. Working with kids of any age can be a major challenge, but great teachers can also expect to receive more love and appreciation than you’ve ever received before. But do your diligence before committing to a career in education. Understand what it takes to get started, and look into the costs associated with potentially moving to get established as a teacher. If you feel like you have the time, energy, and passion to be a great teacher, then pursue your dreams!
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