So You Want to be a Teacher?
The job of a teacher is one of the most under-appreciated jobs in the world. However, the service that teachers provide is invaluable and they make a huge difference in society. Here are the basics of becoming a teacher and what you should expect out of the job.
In order to become a teacher, you will have to go through a thorough training and education process. As a teacher, you will have to continually learn throughout your career. You need to start out by getting a high school diploma. After that, you can attend an accredited university and go for your bachelors degree. You should be able to get a degree in education with a few different options available. Most colleges will have different programs for you depending on which level of education you would like to get into. You should be able to complete this process in approximately 4 years.
After you get your bachelors degree, you might want to consider going for a Masters degree as well. The requirements in each state are different, but many of them are now encouraging teachers to get Masters degrees. This can add another 2 to 3 years to your education process.
Once you have completed your education, you will have to become licensed as a teacher in your state. You will have to pass an exam that is administered at the state level. Many states use a test called the PRAXIS exam. Once you pass this test, you will be able to start applying for jobs in schools.
Working As a Teacher
Being a teacher can be one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. You will get to make a difference in the lives of children on a daily basis. Most teachers choose a specific area in which they want to focus. You can choose an area that interests you and focus on teaching those classes. This will make your job much more interesting and allow you to make a greater impact on your students.
One of the major benefits of becoming a teacher is the work schedule that comes with it. During the school year, most teachers are going to put in at least 40 hours per week. However, you will only be required to be at the school until about 3:00 in most cases. Therefore, some of your work will be done outside of the classroom. This might include grading papers, parent teacher conferences, and extracurricular activities. The best thing about the work schedule of a teacher is that you have several weeks of paid vacation. You will get off of work for the entire summer and for a week to two weeks on Christmas break. Many teachers even get off for a week during spring break. Therefore, this work schedule will allow you to pursue other interests such as traveling the world.
Opportunities for Advancement
Teachers will have some opportunities for advancement during their teaching career. Many teachers eventually move up to principal or superintendent roles within the school system. Therefore, you can advance your career as you go.