How To Become A Teacher
Do you want a meaningful career that positively impacts the lives of others? Do you enjoy working with children and teenagers? Do you want guaranteed weekends and holidays off?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then becoming a teacher may be the right choice for you. No matter whether you are just entering college, retired from your first career, or going back to school, there are options for you to help you become a teacher.
Pursue a Bachelor of Education
Almost all private and public schools will require at least a bachelor’s degree to be a teacher for any grade level. If you do not have a college degree yet, the most straightforward path to becoming a teacher is to pursue a Bachelor of Education degree.
During your degree program, you will study all aspects of education through both classroom and internship requirements. You may choose to focus your degree in a specialty area such as elementary or special education depending on your goals for your future career.
If you are planning to teach at a public school, after completing your degree you will need to pass certification exams for the grade and/or subject level you wish to teach.
If you do not want to teach at a public school, be sure to look into the requirements for schools at which you wish to teach to see whether you will need to complete any certification exams to be eligible for employment.
Pursue a Master of Education
If you already possess a Bachelor’s degree in a field other than education, there are alternative routes to becoming a teacher that does not require going back to school.
If your degree is in a field that correlates to a class curriculum for secondary education, you may be able to complete a short Master of Education degree program to prepare you for the classroom.
For example, if you possess a Bachelor of Science degree, combined with obtaining a Master of Education, you would be eligible for teaching middle or high school science classes.
Similar to when earning a Bachelor of Education, you will need to pass certification exams if you want to teach in a public school.
Pursue an Alternative Certification Route
Finally, if you are looking to transition to a career in teaching immediately or do not want the financial commitment of another degree, there are programs available to help you become a teacher without any degree in education.
Typically these alternative certification routes will require a minimum commitment to a district or school and, in return, you will be given access to coursework and training that will lead to a certification allowing you to teach without any degree in education.
While working as a teacher you will receive coaching to help ensure you are meeting your goals and finding success in your new career.
Whether you are hoping to teach at the primary, secondary, or post-secondary level, becoming a teacher can be a rewarding career, and, luckily, no matter where you are in your professional journey, becoming a teacher is possible for you.
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