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Despite the huge variety of different programs out there,
there are a few universal elements to entering the teaching
field. The first is that you need some schooling. This can
be either a traditional Bachelors Degree in Education program,
or it can be an Alternative / Post-Baccalaureate or Masters
program designed for people who figured out later in life
that they wanted to be teachers.
After you’re done with your schooling, you’ll
need to prove that you were paying attention in class. If
you want to teach in public schools, you’ll need to
be certified by the state you intend to teach in. This usually
involves a test like the PRAXIS exam. Your initial certification
typically qualifies you to teach for a number of years (3-5
is common), during which you will have to reach additional
milestones (take more tests, get more schooling) to achieve
your permanent certification.
The bottom line with all of it is that each state is different,
and you should plan to spend some time looking through the
state Department of Education website in the state in which
you intend to teach. In many states, you can get a teaching
job with no certification at all, provided that you go enroll
in a certification program. This typically happens in "high
needs" subjects and locations, and is determined by
the state/local education authorities, so it’s worth
checking with your state Department of Education as well
as the local school districts.
On a related note, if you think you want to become a teacher,
you might want to talk to the local school districts about
volunteering in a school, or taking a non-teaching job just
to see what the environment’s like, and what the job
of a teacher really entails. This can also be a good way
to get a foot in the door for future teaching job openings
in that school.
Teach in the field you most enjoy
One attractive aspect of teaching is that the education
field allows you to teach almost any discipline that you
enjoy yourself. If you are into sports, you might become
a gymnastics teacher or a coach. If you are the “book”
type, you might become a librarian or an English teacher.
If you are artistically or musically inclined, you could
choose your own skill area and learn how to teach others
the very thing that inspires you. The possibilities are
endless.
Most secondary education teachers focus on one or two related
disciplines. Thus a math teacher might also teach accounting
while an English teacher might teach journalism and broadcast
along with the usual English or Language arts classes. Foreign
language teachers might be expected to teach classes in
multi-cultural studies. Generally, you want to make sure
that you are able to teach more than one subject in a specific
discipline in order to have the most attractive resume for
a would-be employer.
Elementary teachers actually have a more challenging education
program than secondary teachers because they are usually
expected to teach nearly all subjects to a given class.
The exceptions would be art, music, gymnastics and foreign
language introduction. Teachers in these areas rotate through
the classes, thereby giving the primary teacher some planning
time. In any case, you will be able to earn your teaching
degree online.
Teaching and Salary
For most people, the purpose of an education degree is to
become a teacher. You can teach with only a bachelors degree,
but to stay in the field long term and to get the highest
annual raises, you will eventually want to complete a masters
degree. Some people complete doctoral degrees, but usually
those with doctoral degrees intend to teach on the college
level or to work in administration. If you have the patience
and the funds for a doctoral degree, however, having one
will get you a higher salary, even as a teacher.
The most often cited reason for the teacher shortage is
poor salary. Good teachers do not work an 8 hour day, enjoy
quiet weekends with their own families, and take two months
in the summer—along with several days during the school
year—for vacation. To the contrary, teachers have
papers to grade, new lessons to design, visuals to duplicate
for students, projects for which they usually create samples,
and textbooks which they must read ahead of the students.
While an experienced teacher can “recycle” lessons
to some extent from one year to the next, today’s
emphasis on “individualized” instruction virtually
requires teachers to change and adapt their lessons with
each new crop of students. Additionally, teachers are expected
to participate in after school activities, attend sporting
events, meet with parents, and advise clubs—usually
for no addition in pay. Most teachers enjoy these activities,
but the fact remains that they often put in long hours.
During the summer, they are expected to take continuing
education classes so they stay on top of the latest developments
in education. People in other career fields often receive
much higher salaries for lower expectations in terms of
time and commitment. People usually do not choose education
because of the high salaries, but because of an opportunity
to work in a field they love and to contribute to the development
of our nation’s youth.
Teaching salaries vary greatly by state and even by county.
You will need to do some research, and if a high salary
is a priority, you may need to consider relocating if you
are in a state that is on the low end of the pay scale.
Experienced teachers in some states actually can earn 6
figure salaries. A starting salary can range from the low
30s to as much as $50,000, depending on the state, on your
degree, and on the demand for your subject area. Coaches,
for example, often teach gymnastics or a related course
and can be the highest paid teachers in the school.
Highly qualified teachers
The Bush administration’s “No Child Left Behind”
act had little impact on the students or American families,
but it had a significant impact on schools and on teachers.
Schools, under this act, have to show from year to year
that test scores have “improved” over the previous
year. The scores can still be very low, but as long as a
measurable improvement has been achieved, the school will
receive a passing report card. While the real benefits of
this act have been dubious at best, no one can deny that
it has changed the expectations which schools must have
of their teachers. Teachers are to be “highly qualified,”
meaning they are to have the required hours of study in
their field, have to pass Teacher Exams, and must successfully
complete annual evaluations. Even though you will be studying
online, you want to make sure that your educational institution
is an accredited school with faculty members and administrators
who understand exactly what you will be required to do once
you enter the classroom. Our website can help you locate
the program in your choice of subject area. Once you complete
the short enquiry form, you will receive contact from the
school and will be given an opportunity to ask unlimited
questions. Choose the school that demonstrates the highest
level of proficiency in providing the program that fits
your career goals.
View a complete list of schools that offer a teaching
degree online
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