If you’re looking to make a significant difference in the life of many students, then you should think about becoming a teacher. To become a good teacher, it takes practice and particular coaching from mentors and supervisors.
Effective teaching is more than just presenting your fascinating lessons or activities to the class; it is a skill that must be honed over time. Having the necessary skills and talents to become a good teacher will allow you to tailor your lessons and teaching style to any size of class. This article will walk you through the steps to acquiring the skills to become an efficient educator.
- Step 1: Determine Your Mindset
Teachers have the ability to mold young brains in ways that will last a lifetime. To be the best teacher possible, you must have the correct personality, temperament, and perspective. Before investing the time and money required to get a teaching degree and training, consider whether your personal and professional interests are compatible with the teaching profession.
Ask yourself the following questions to help you make this big decision:
- Are you patient?
- Do you have a passion for helping others?
- Are you a careful and organized person?
- Do you have decent communication skills?
If you replied “yes” to the majority of the questions above, a career in education is probably a good fit for you.
- Step 2: Explore Teaching Degree Options
When you know your professional goals and where you want to work, you can make informed choices about your career. You will be able to determine which degree you should pursue and what emphasis or major to pursue.
Degree options for aspiring teachers can include the following:
- Degrees in Special Education
You might want to consider special education masters programs if you want to help educate children on the spectrum. A master’s degree in special education will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to serve children with special needs.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Education & Teaching
A bachelor’s degree in education, teaching, or a related field will be typical for many, at least for teaching at the primary and secondary levels. In most states, a bachelor’s degree is the bare minimum required to begin teaching.
- Degrees in Early Childhood Education
A degree in early childhood education is ideal for anyone interested in teaching preschool or kindergarten. Most candidates pursuing an early childhood education degree should expect to work with youngsters at the pre-kindergarten level.
- Degrees in Elementary Education
An online degree in elementary education, which is often available at the bachelor’s degree level, is ideal if you want to teach at the primary level. This covers teaching pupils in grades one through six but may also include teaching in kindergarten or secondary school.
- Degrees in Secondary Education
Secondary education includes pupils in middle and high school. This entails instructing kids ranging in age from 12 to 18. Teachers pursuing a secondary education degree might anticipate focusing on a specific subject matter, such as science, English, or mathematics, due to the fact that they will be teaching older children.
- Degrees in Physical Education
Physical education is concerned with enhancing, maintaining, and transmitting physical fitness and well-being. Many physical education degrees concentrate on educating pupils from kindergarten through the conclusion of high school. This degree is appropriate for teaching elementary and secondary school kids about staying healthy via sports and an active lifestyle.
- Step 3: Choose How You Want to Learn
You can study in a variety of ways because there are so many educational paths to becoming a teacher. The first two important decisions you must make are the pace of learning and the method of material delivery.
- Teaching Programs on Campus VS. Online
Online classes can help working professionals, caregivers, busy parents, and anybody else who requires flexibility. This adaptability typically allows students to learn at any time, from any location, and at their speed. Many online teaching programs still require an in-person curriculum. There is the opportunity to engage with peers in person, which an online school cannot fully imitate. Furthermore, depending on the school, certain specialties or programs may be provided solely on campus.
- Teaching Programs: Part-Time vs. Full-Time
The biggest benefit of full-time study is the potential to complete a degree quickly. On the other hand, part-time education allows you to either spend extra time mastering difficult concepts or, more typically, continue working or meeting caregiver responsibilities while in school. The disadvantage of attending a part-time program is that the degree will take longer to complete.
- Step 4: Complete Your Coursework and Student Teaching
It is difficult to predict the type of coursework you may encounter when pursuing an education degree. This is due to the different state criteria for a teaching license and your intended teaching level, as well as the different academic pathways to becoming a licensed teacher. Because of these differences, coursework outside of the teaching preparation program curriculum might vary greatly based on the type of degree, area of concentration (if any), and major.
To give you an idea of some basic courses, take a look at the courses below:
- Development in Children
- Oral and Written Communication
- Introduction to Psychology
- Learning and Inclusion
- Curriculum Design
- Step 5: Get Your Teaching License
A teaching certification will be necessary to teach outside of private schools. The school may still require a fully certified teacher, even in private institutions. Hence, licensure is still required. Although becoming licensed isn’t difficult, each state has its standards, and many aspiring teachers aren’t sure which state they want to teach in after college.
Every state has its standards for teacher licensure. As a result, prospective teachers must research particularly in their state. To become licensed, potential teachers must undertake the following at a minimum:
- You must have a bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a teacher training program that is accredited.
- You must pass a criminal background check.
- Score well on basic skills and/or topic matter exams like the Praxis Core, Praxis Subject Assessments, or the Praxis Knowledge for Teaching Test.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are numerous routes to becoming a qualified teacher. Your next steps will be determined by the type of teacher you want to be and the amount of time you want to devote to your studies.
