Teaching is one of the most fulfilling careers that you can decide upon, giving you the chance to help others to learn, succeed and reach their potential. However, the road to becoming a teacher can seem like a long one if you are unable to take the right steps to achieve your dream position. If you are searching for more information on how to become a teacher, this guide will provide you with the key details that you need to know.
1. Get the Right Education
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The first thing that you should do when considering teaching as a career option is to make sure that you have the right qualifications and certifications needed in order to head to the top of the resume pile. When it comes to getting certifications it is best to learn more on how to be able to successfully achieve it. In many cases, you will need both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in order to get the top jobs in schools and colleges. This is especially important if you want to specialize in a certain type of education; an online M.Ed. in High School Education, for example, is vital for those who want to excel in a high school environment and help students work towards some of the most important examinations of their lives.
Besides, there are few states which require passing pre-employment tests. For example, if you want to become an educator in California or Oregon states, you likely will be invited to take the CBEST test. So, you should pay attention to all requirements of the job position.
2. Find Classroom Experience
However, education alone is not enough to enable you to take on the major responsibility of being a teacher, and so, in most cases, you will need to find classroom experience of a practical nature before you are able to apply for positions. Although it is possible to get a job without experience (such as online tutoring), you should work with your college to find placements, or use work experience boards to find an internship or placement that is right for you. You can also get classroom experience by volunteering in a school, or even in a youth group or extracurricular class, where you will be able to hone your skills by working with kids first-hand.
3. Apply for a Licence
In most states, certain certifications are needed. Most states require a Bachelor’s degree to become a teacher, and many require you to earn a Master’s within five years of your first job. Every state also has an examination for teachers, which will enable you to apply to gain a license; first, you will be able to teach in your own state, and then you can apply for national certification, which allows you to teach in any state in the US. You may also have to complete background checks.
4. Research Teaching Positions
Then, it is important that you research the potential teaching positions that are available to you, such as teaching assistants and teachers. You can also research the positions that are in demand, with a 35% drop in those looking to become teachers in the USA. You should ensure that you have all the correct requirements for the positions you are interested in and that they have the right amount of pay for you, with teachers starting on salaries of around $39,000 on average. You can then start to apply for these on job boards that are catered towards the teaching sector, as well as finding them in newspapers and advertisements.
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