How to Become a Teacher

A Brief Introduction to the Teaching Profession

Teaching is one of the greatest gifts that one can give back to a community. In addition to providing a valuable service to the community at large, teaching careers often offer great pensions, many opportunities for advancement, and excellent salaries. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook , teaching jobs have reported a median income ranging between $47,000 - $51,000 in 2008 for teachers in K-12 settings. Teaching jobs are expected to grow on average with national norms though the outlook for teachers in mathematics and sciences, as well as bilingual teachers, are expected to be the most in demand for the profession.

The Path to Becoming a Teacher

There are several ways in which one may become a teacher, though the one commonality between all of the available options is the completion of an undergraduate baccalaureate degree and typically maintaining a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher. The choice one makes in their undergraduate career can greatly impact which teaching venues will be opened to them in the future. While, teacher requirements vary state by state, most states separate the certifications needed for a K-5 teacher and Middle/High School teachers. These degrees are typically offered through Colleges of Education at most Universities and may be titled "Elementary Education," "K-5 Teaching Certification," or "Early Childhood Education" to name a few examples. Teachers wanting to teach in a Middle or High School atmosphere will often be required to first declare a major in their area of study and pursue a teaching certification as a minor or concentration within their major of study. For example, a Biology major may declare a minor in secondary education and dedicate any remaining humanities and free electives in her schedule toward the secondary education minor requirements, or an English major may do the same and utilize free electives towards completion of his required student teaching work.

Testing and Student Teaching

All student teachers are required to take and pass the Praxis Series exams before pursuing a teaching degree. Several states and universities will not allow a student to progress into a student teaching course until they pass at least the first sequence of the Praxis exam. In addition, many programs will require a minimum GPA, typically a 2.5 or higher, before a student is allowed to progress into student teaching coursework.

Considerations to Consider

The requirements for the Praxis and state certifications vary state by state, making it especially important for education students to consider where they hope to practice teaching before choosing a program at an University. For example, a student pursuing an education degree in Florida, but originally from Georgia must consider where she plans to utilize her teaching degree. A Florida school will likely prepare her for the Florida requirements only, leaving it up to the student to research the Georgia teacher's certification requirements and ensuring that she is following a path that will lead to success in her home state. The student teaching sequence of courses typically takes two years and will gradually introduce a student teacher into a classroom and allow him to slowly begin preparing lesson plans, interacting with students, and eventually taking over a classroom for a short period of time. This period of time may be in addition to the typical four-year path of most undergraduate degrees.

Choices made during college can greatly impact which teaching venues will be available