Introduction
Albert Einstein once said, "It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. " Although teaching at any level is not easy, becoming an educator can be an exciting and fulfilling career. Teaching can provide you the opportunity to be creative, to inspire young people, and to ultimately be a part of positive change in the local and global community. Most importantly, teaching can be done anywhere - in neighborhood schools, in the local university, or in a community abroad. There are six major steps to becoming a teacher: deciding where you want to teach, selecting a teaching program, choosing a concentration, acquiring the correct certification, knowing the law, and finding a job.
Step one: Decide where you want to teach
The first step to becoming an educator involves answering some important questions. Do you want to travel the world and teach abroad, or do you want to teach in a small local private school? Do you want to teach at the university level, or do you want to teach at the public high school level? Different schools or communities often require different credentials and certifications. For example, whereas all public schools require a license to teach, some private schools require only a college degree and experience. Additionally, although some teach-abroad programs require educators to have certification, other programs may require only a bachelor's degree. Answering these important questions before you begin step number two can help you focus your energy without wasting time and money.
Step two: Select a teaching program
Once you have decided on where you want to teach, you should begin the process of looking for a teaching program. Regardless of where you teach, you will need an undergraduate degree. Some states require a master's degree, and larger colleges or universities often require that you have a doctorate. A bachelor's and master's degree (combined) in education can take up to five to six years to complete. As you begin searching for a program, you should look for a college that maintains a strong connection to your field of study or concentration. For example, if you want to work primarily with urban youth, you should look for a college that partners or often collaborates with city public schools. If you are interested in teaching abroad, you might want to apply for a program with a strong focus on international education.
Step three: Choose a concentration
After you have chosen a college and completed the application process, select an area of focus that interests you. Are you interested in teaching history, math, or both? Do you want to work with English as a Second Language (ESL) students or learners with special needs? Do you want to work with elementary students or high school students? Although it is important to pick a concentration that you are passionate about, you should be aware of the fact that professionals who graduate with a dual focus or concentration are more likely to be pursued by potential employers.
Step four: Acquire the correct certification
The next step in your journey to becoming a teacher involves acquiring your teacher's license or teaching certification. In the United States, rules and procedures for certification vary by state, and they are usually regulated by the state department of education. Normally, a bachelor's degree with a major in a certifiable area (e.g., English/language arts, fine arts, science, math) is a minimum requirement, along with rigorous coursework in pedagogical methods and practical field experiences as a student teacher. Many states also require that teachers pass standardized exams at the national or state level in the subjects they teach and on the methods of teaching those subjects, and that they undergo supervised evaluation during their first years of teaching. Some states permit alternate route teacher certification.
Step five: Know the law
Step number five goes hand-in-hand with step number three. During the process of certification, you will most likely learn about the federal requirements under the No Child Left Behind Act. The act requires states to provide "highly qualified" teachers for all students. Each state is allowed to set its own standards for what counts as highly qualified. However, a teacher must have a degree in education and show proficiency in a core content area. The legislation also measures teacher proficiency and a school district's quality by how well students do on state standardized tests.
Step six: Find a job
Once you have become a certified teacher, the next and final step is to find a job. The best way to begin your job search is to seek job-placement assistance from professionals within your college teaching program. You should also check within your school district for job openings and submit your resume to the human resources department.
Professor Gene Youngblood Lecturing at Rochester Institute of Technology
The first step to becoming a teacher is deciding at what level you would like to teach.
Other careers in education
Although teaching is one of the most common career paths in education, there are many other career paths you can pursue to be involved in education inside and outside of the classroom.
Administrator
Administrators work with those inside and outside the school to set policies, and they ensure that those policies and regulations are being followed. Administrators also solve problems; supervise school staff; create curricula and standards; manage budgets; plan events; and coordinate meetings with members of the community, including parents. Examples of administrative jobs include superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal, vice principal, assistant principal, curriculum coordinator, director of learning, dean of students, and athletic director. These positions typically require a master's degree at a minimum, although some may require a doctorate or educational specialist degree.
Teaching assistant
Teaching assistants work with teachers and other educators to prepare lessons, manage the classroom, coordinate events, and assist students. Assistants may prepare or photocopy learning and activity materials; help create or submit lesson plans; decorate bulletin boards; plan school events; assist the teacher with behavior management; and help answer student questions, among other duties. Examples of teaching assistant jobs include teaching assistant, paraprofessional, teacher's aide, and assistant teacher. The educational and licensing requirements for these positions vary from state to state, with some states requiring only a high school diploma and others requiring a bachelor's degree or a state license.
Support staff
Support staff include employees who are typically paid an hourly rate and are not directly involved in the classroom or in the instruction of students. Examples of support staff jobs include administrative assistant, secretary, cafeteria manager, food preparation specialist, food server, janitor, custodian, maintenance specialist, information technology manager, and information technology specialist. Again, the education and licensing requirements vary for each position and from state to state.
Careers in higher education
Within higher education, there are many levels of faculty positions, including professor, assistant professor, instructor, and program director. These positions typically require a master's degree or higher, and licensing requirements vary from state to state.
There are also many different administrative and support staff positions available in colleges and universities. Because educational institutions can have anywhere from hundreds to thousands of students, the availability of these positions and the responsibilities they entail will vary from place to place. Typical jobs include admissions specialist, financial aid assistant, learning coordinator, student services supervisor, director of admissions and records, registrar, accountant, cashier, bursar, bookstore manager, cafeteria manager, housing director, student activities director, security director, building manager, and many, many more. Requirements for these positions vary, but most states do not have licensing requirements for these types of jobs and hiring decisions are made at the discretion of the administration.