Think back to when you were a kid in school. Sure, there were challenges-maybe there were some mean kids in your class, or maybe you had a hard time fitting in. But there was almost certainly that one special teacher who helped you get through it.
One dedicated teacher can make a huge difference to a student. Maybe that one teacher could be you.
Teachers work in public and private schools from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. At the elementary level, most teachers generalize, and teach a wide variety of subjects to their home room students. In high school, teachers are more likely to be specialists, like math teachers or Spanish teachers.
Many teachers participate in other activities, such as coaching an athletic team or directing the high school play. Teachers oversee study halls and homerooms, and accompany students on field trips. They may identify students with mental or physical or problems and refer the students to the proper authorities. Secondary school teachers may assist students in choosing courses and provide advice on applying to college. Teachers also participate in education workshops and conferences.
Do I need a teacher’s license? To teach in public schools, yes. All 50 states and the District of Columbia require public school teachers to be licensed. However, licensure is generally not required for teachers in private schools. Licensure is usually granted by the State Board of Education or a licensure advisory committee.
What kind of training do I need? Traditionally, to become a public school teacher you need to complete your bachelor’s degree from a teacher education program, and then obtain your license. Many states now offer alternative routes to licensure if you have a college degree in another field. You can check out colleges offering teacher education programs on a reputable online college search directory.
Private school teachers need a bachelor’s degree but generally do not have to be licensed. Preschool teachers and vocational education teachers may not need a bachelor’s degree and may be qualified because of life or work experience.
What’s the job outlook? According to the U.S. Government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the current decade from 2008 to 2018 employment of preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers is projected to grow about as fast as average. Job prospects are expected to be favorable, with particularly good prospects for teachers in high-demand fields like math, science, and bilingual education, or in less desirable urban or rural school districts.
In the United States, there are a lot of schools! According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the U.S. today there are over 95,000 public schools and over 28,000 private schools. Together they employ nearly 4 million teachers. With the right training, one of those teachers could be you.
If you enjoy working with young people and helping them become outstanding adults, then a career in teaching may be for you. But how do you get started? A good way is to log onto a reputable online career college search engine and directory. You’ll be able to search for schools in your area that train teachers, or find an online degree program. You can compare programs and even learn about flexible schedules and financial aid. Then you can request free information from the schools that interest you, visit a few, and make your decision. In less time than you think, you could be trained for a new rewarding career as a kindergarten, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher.