Teachers have a wide range of responsibilities, including teaching courses, proctoring examinations, developing curricula in the classroom, and helping guide students toward academic success. Although all teachers have the same essential functions of work, their jobs may vary considerably depending on their placement and specialty in the classroom.
The guide will help you learn the steps and essential information you should know about how to become a teacher if you’re eager to begin. There are two routes to be certified. First, the traditional route that involves completing a bachelor’s and teacher preparation program and the alternative way to the classroom for candidates on non-traditional paths that vary by state.
Either way, as you will be trusted with instructing young people, it is important that you are educated well. Being a teacher is also about knowing how to handle a range of challenging circumstances that can develop. To learn more about this profession, continue reading.
Training And Education
Step 1: Earn A Bachelor’s Degree
For teachers of K–12 public schools, all states mandate a bachelor’s degree at the very least. Teachers in kindergarten and primary school must hold a bachelor’s degree in primary education. While at the moment, a preschool instructor may begin working with an associate degree, there is also a move toward a bachelor’s degree requirement for this degree. In a subject like math or science, some school systems allow K-6 teachers to have specific educational training. In a particular subject field, high school teachers are also often expected to have a majorship.
Step 2: Finish Student Teaching
It is a must for teachers to gain experience in the classroom. In order to qualify for certification, prospective teachers must have a minimum number of hours of supervised educational experience. The amount of hours that is required depends on the state. Oftentimes, these opportunities are assigned randomly so you may not be able to choose which age you would like to teach during student teaching.
Step 3: Get Your Certification Or License
All states offer alternative certification routes for prospective teachers with a bachelor’s degree but lack the training courses needed for immediate certification. Such alternative programs also require candidates under the guidance of an experienced teacher to start teaching immediately. Once the alternative route is completed, applicants may receive full certification.
Job Outlook For Teachers
While demand for teachers will always exist, there will be some teaching roles that grow more than others in the upcoming years. At 19% across the country, postsecondary teachers will have some of the highest growth. This is because there are more people who choose to go to college over the next few years. Postsecondary teaching jobs will rise especially rapidly in healthcare education, as the industry has a strong need for healthcare professionals.
Average Salary For Teachers
Many teachers enjoy their work because it makes a difference in other people’s lives; for many, the salary is secondary. That doesn’t mean it should be forgotten, however. Wages vary widely between different regions. Teachers will earn different fees depending on whether they are employed in a private or public school.
The salary also depends on whether they are teaching summer school, what subject they are teaching, what type of experience they have, the level they are teaching, and the degree they are carrying. However, according to Money U.S. News, the average salary of teachers was $59,170 in 2017. The best-paid 25% made $75,970 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $46,990 on average.
Conclusion
Teaching is a career that is highly regarded for lifelong learning. Many districts of public schools may even require their teachers to continue their education as they instruct. For more teaching tips and options, click here.
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