what college course to start with if you wanna be high school teacher

What degree do you need to teach high school?

Answer: To teach high school, you must earn at least a bachelor’s degree in a subject that is teachable at the high school grade level. In addition to your degree, you must earn a teacher certificate or license to teach in public schools.

What classes do you take to become a teacher?

Most states require aspiring teachers to be trained in child psychology, education, multiple styles of learning, and various other aspects of modern pedagogy. Degrees from some colleges, notably teacher's colleges, include this course material.

Is it hard to become a high school teacher?

It's not an easy profession, requiring patience, creativity and psychological insight as well as "book learning." The basic qualification for high school teachers is a bachelor's degree, usually in conjunction with specialized teacher training.

How do I become a high school teacher in Texas?

Earn a bachelor’s degree with a major in the subject you wish to teach while completing your school’s teacher preparation program. Complete a student teaching internship in the subject (s) you wish to teach. Take the teaching and subject-area tests for teacher licensure required in your state.

What Does a High School Teacher Do?

High school teachers develop and deliver lesson plans, evaluate student achievement, maintain classroom discipline, and communicate student progress to parents and administrators. They also attend staff meetings and in-service trainings, supervise extracurricular activities, or coordinate field trips.

How much do high school teachers make?

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for high school teachers, excepting CTE and special education teachers, was $61,660 in 2019. Teachers can earn additional income by supervising or coaching extracurricular activities, earning a master’s in education, or becoming an administrator. Salary and other benefits can differ between public and private schools, so compare specific institutions to get a full picture of compensation.

What is Education.com?

Education.com: This site includes lesson plans and other resources for teachers of all grade levels, including those for high school. You can find printables, online games, and project ideas for a variety of high school classrooms.

What are non core classes?

Required non-core classes: These classes are generally required for high school students but aren’t considered core classes. They can include physical/health education and foreign languages. Teachers of these subjects are often grouped in with those who teach electives.

How many letters of recommendation do schools ask for?

Obtain letters of recommendation. Schools may ask for up to three recommendation letters. Get them from people you know through academics, work, or special interests. Don’t use family or friends.

What to do if you don't want to get a doctorate?

If you want to take your education past a master’s degree but don’t want to earn a doctorate, you should consider an educational specialist program. You can earn educational specialist certificates in fields like special education and school leadership. Depending on your district, the leadership program could lead to a career in administration. These are frequently available online and take less time and money to complete than master’s degrees.

What are the benefits of being a high school teacher?

These benefits include teaching a topic you care about, being able to engage in in-depth conversations, and preparing students about to embark on their futures.

What degree do you need to be a postsecondary teacher?

Postsecondary teachers instruct college students in a specific subject area that they specialize in. They may need a master's or doctoral degree to enter their career field. An instructional coordinator is another similar position, but requires a master's degree.

How to become a teacher in secondary school?

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree. Some schools offer bachelor's degree programs in secondary education that emphasize a subject area, such as mathematics, the natural sciences, the social sciences or foreign languages. These programs are typically 4-5 years in length and include courses in teaching and learning, classroom management, ...

What Are the Job Duties of a High School Teacher?

Your duties would include enforcing classroom discipline; developing lesson plans; delivering lectures and presentations; leading class discussions; adapting lessons to the needs and interests of students; setting assignments and homework; grading tests, papers and assignments; and maintaining records on student performance.

What do high school teachers do?

High school teachers instruct students in grades nine through twelve. They use provided curriculum guidelines to develop lesson plans, teach classes, assign work to students and grade work. They may also meet with parents to discuss their child's progress. High school teachers usually specialize in a specific subject that they teach, or subject area. They are required to have a bachelor's degree and a teaching license if they work in the public school system. High school teachers may also work for private schools.

How much do teachers make?

Employment was projected to rise four percent to just over 1.1 million from 2018-2028. As of May 2018, high school teachers earned a median salary of $60,320, according to the BLS. Check the websites of high schools in you area for job vacancies, and send your resume to all the high schools in your area. You could also check websites geared specifically toward teachers searching for jobs. You'll need to have all your teaching credentials in order when applying for teaching positions, including your degree, teaching license and test scores from the Praxis or state exams.

How long is a teaching degree?

These programs are typically 4-5 years in length and include courses in teaching and learning, classroom management, education and classroom technologies. Toward the end of your degree program you would complete your student teaching internship at a local high school.

What are the skills needed to be a good communicator?

Good verbal and written communication skills; good organizational skills; creativity and resourcefulness; patience

How long does it take to become a teacher?

On average, these programs take 12-24 months to complete. You may be able to enroll in a Teacher Preparation Program in your sophomore or junior year of college.

How to get experience before becoming a teacher?

Become a substitute teacher. Substitute teaching is a great way to get classroom experience before you become a teacher. Not only that, but it allows you to get a feel for the culture of the different high schools in your area so that you can decide which schools you’d like to apply to as you search for jobs.

What is a teaching internship?

Complete a teaching internship. Your internship will be part of your Teacher Preparation Program. You will work alongside an accomplished teacher to learn how to plan and conduct lessons, as well as how to manage a classroom. The length of your teaching internship will depend on the requirements of your school.

How long can you teach with a probationary certificate?

If you are enrolled in an alternative certification program, you may teach under a probationary certificate for up to two years while you work toward your certification. However, you will need a school to sponsor your temporary certification.

How many years of school do you need to teach math?

For example, if you want to teach math, you could take 4 years of math even though 3 are required. In the United States, you can join Future Teachers of America while you're in high school. Talk to your school's club adviser to find out how to join your school's branch.

How to make the most of an internship?

Make the most of your internship by asking plenty of questions, trying out different ways of doing things, and taking the advice of the teacher who is acting as your mentor.

What to do if your school does not have a website?

If your school does not have a website, check with your state’s education agency.

What is the best degree for a high school teacher?

The basic qualification for high school teachers is a bachelor's degree, usually in conjunction with specialized teacher training.

What is the final step to becoming a high school teacher?

Licensing or certification is the final step in qualifying to teach high school. Earning a bachelor's degree and completing a teacher's prep program are the main requirements in most states, but there might be others depending on your location. For example, many states require a set number of hours of supervised classroom experience as a student teacher. Others may require high school teachers to achieve a minimum grade point average, or to pass a set of standardized examinations that assess their knowledge of teaching skills and their chosen subject matter.

What is the importance of teaching?

Having an assured body of knowledge or competency in a given field is important for teachers, but they must also be able to communicate that knowledge effectively. Most states require aspiring teachers to be trained in child psychology, education, multiple styles of learning, and various other aspects of modern pedagogy. Degrees from some colleges, notably teacher's colleges, include this course material. For graduates of other institutions, it's taken separately as a teacher prep program either after or concurrently with the bachelor's degree.

How much do high school teachers make?

High school teachers earned a median annual salary of $58,030 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, high school teachers earned a 25th percentile salary of $46,110, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $74,160, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 1,018,700 people were employed in the U.S. as high school teachers.

What does a high school teacher do?

Capable high school teachers inspire their students to high levels of achievement and self-confidence, helping them to see and fulfill their own potential as they move on to college and adulthood. It's not an easy profession, requiring patience, creativity and psychological insight as well as "book learning.".

Do high school teachers have to pass standardized tests?

For example, many states require a set number of hours of supervised classroom experience as a student teacher. Others may require high school teachers to achieve a minimum grade point average, or to pass a set of standardized examinations that assess their knowledge of teaching skills and their chosen subject matter.

How to become a certified teacher?

In addition to earning a major in the particular subject you wish to teach, you must take a teacher preparation program approved by your state in order to qualify for certification.

What states require a masters degree to teach?

These include New York, Connecticut, Kentucky, Oregon, Michigan, Maryland, Mississippi, and Montana.

What do high school teachers do?

High school teachers typically plan and teach lessons to classrooms of students. They may also teach small groups or do individual mentoring, depending on the needs of their students. Secondary school teachers typically specialize in one or two subjects such as math, English, the sciences, art, history, Spanish, French, or music, ...

How can teachers help students?

Teachers evaluate students’ performance, grade papers and tests, and prepare them for state tests. In order to be an effective and successful secondary school instructor, the ability to communicate well with teenagers and earn their respect is key. A consistent and approachable attitude will help a teacher maintain order, good behavior, ...

How much does a high school teacher make?

High School Teacher Salary and Job Outlook. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for high school teachers was $60,320 in 2018. 1 The top-earning 10% of teachers earned upwards of $97,500. 1 Key factors that determine salary are geographic location, subject, and experience.

What are the skills needed to be a high school teacher?

Helpful Skills and Experience. Organizational skills, excellent communication and presentation skills, and sound decision-making skills are important for prospective high school teachers. Teachers should be calm, fair, and patient.

What are the responsibilities of a high school teacher?

The responsibilities of a teacher at the high school level include preparing courses, assigning and grading homework and tests, creating classroom rules, and meeting with parents to discuss student progress and behavior issues . They also may spend extra time with struggling students, often mentoring and tutoring them after school hours. Although high school teachers commonly work in a classroom setting, they may work in other settings as well including the outdoors, gymnasiums, the school library, or a computer lab. Teachers at the secondary level also maintain order in the classroom and during breaks and lunch periods, and may be involved in a variety of extracurricular activities. High school teachers must have the ability to impart knowledge effectively to teenagers. Calmness and patience are attributes that teachers need; their role may be seen as being part instructor and part mentor.

How to explore a career in teaching?

One of the best things about exploring a career in teaching is that you’re surrounded by people in the profession almost every day . Since you know dozens of teachers already, ask a couple who work in different areas if you can sit down with them and ask about their career path and what their day-to-day jobs are like. If you’re interested in teaching middle or elementary school, try reaching out to a teacher in your district to ask if you can shadow them ; that way, you can learn more about the job than you could by just asking questions . You might think you remember your early years in school, but you’d be surprised by how much your older self picks up on in terms of what a teacher is juggling at any given moment.

How much do teachers make?

Teacher salaries are known for being infamously low, but the truth is that they vary wildly from district to district and state to state. They also vary based on what grade you’re teaching and between public and private schools. The following salary information is pulled from U.S. News and World Report based on national data:

What is the ABCTE certification?

Another nontraditional path is to pursue certification via the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE), which is an option for professionals who studied something else in college but wish to pivot to teaching without going back to school for a teacher preparation program.

What is the job of a teacher?

Classroom instruction is just one part of the job, but preparing lesson plans, grading assignments, and other tasks relating to students’ educations are all major aspects of the job. Teachers play a big role in students’ lives. Think back to the teachers you have had. There are probably one or two that stand out, for better or for worse. A great teacher can change a child’s life in profound, lasting ways. This rewarding element is one reason that draws people to the profession.

Do private schools require certification?

The third is teaching in private schools—private school teachers don’t need certification, nor do they necessarily need a teaching degree. Because private schools have more autonomy than public ones, hiring standards vary from school to school. Many still prefer their teachers to have the same certifications and credentials as public schools, however. Also, keep in mind that private school teachers make less on average than public school teachers do.

How to become a student teacher?

Be a student in the teaching program for a minimum period of time. Pass a criminal background check. Pass a medical exam. Once accepted, students may spend one or two school semesters engaged in student-teaching. And this isn’t just assisting a teacher in the classroom, but actually teaching the class.

How long does it take to become a teacher?

The time it takes to become a teacher depends on three significant variables: your education and professional experience, what you want to teach, and your state’s teaching certification requirements. But as a general rule, it takes at least a bachelor’s degree plus a teaching license to become a teacher. This means you can expect to spend four to five years in school and working towards certification.

How to choose a teaching program?

Before choosing a teaching program, you should identify your teaching preferences. Basically, ask yourself why you want to become a teacher. By answering this question, you’ll be able to determine your preferred grade level, the subject matter, and if there are any special students you’d like to teach. Knowing this information not only shapes which teaching degree and training path to take, but also tells you what kind of classes to take and organizations to join.

What is a PhD in education?

The PhD is becoming one of the most popular for those seeking an advanced education degree. Unlike the EdD, which focuses on applying existing research, the PhD focuses more on developing new research and theory. The ultimate goal of a PhD program is to prepare graduates for leading roles in research, academia, and teaching at the post-secondary level. Much of the curriculum focuses on teaching skills that are useful for engaging in research that can create new knowledge and innovative theories that practicing teachers can use to improve education. Read more about online PhDs in education & teaching.

What do elementary students learn?

On top of that, students learn about various teaching methods, strategies, and methods of student assessment.

What is an elementary education degree?

Commonly available at the bachelor’s degree level, an online degree in elementary education is ideal if you wish to teach at the primary level. This includes teaching students from grades one through six, but may also mean teaching at the kindergarten or middle school levels, as well. During the course of study, elementary education students can expect to take courses that provide a wide range of subject matter material, from math to social studies to reading to art. On top of that, students learn about various teaching methods, strategies, and methods of student assessment. See if an online degree in elementary education makes sense.

How long does it take to get a masters degree in teaching?

When it is required, teachers are allowed to earn their master’s degree at a later date, usually within five years of beginning their job.

How to become a teacher if you have a 4 year degree?

To become a teacher if you already have a 4-year degree, you can get an alternative certification from an accredited college so you don't have to get a bachelor's degree in education. You'll work under a certified teacher’s supervision to gain practical experience, and pass education tests to become certified.

How to become an elementary teacher in Delaware?

To become an elementary teacher in Delaware, you must earn an initial certificate from the state. To qualify, you must have a bachelor's degree and complete a teacher preparation program. You must also pass the Praxis Core Academic skills for Educators and Praxis Subject Assessments Elementary Education tests. Thanks!

How to become a certified alternative teacher?

Alternative certification is designed for people who decided to become teacher after completing a degree in a different field. Alternative license programs usually require one or two years of field work and classes in an accredited school before you'll become a certified teacher.

How long does it take for a professor to write a recommendation letter?

Almost all graduate programs will require a letter of recommendation from former professors. The general rule is to allow at least two weeks for your professors to write your letters, so let them know as early as possible. ...

How long does it take to prepare for the GRE?

Depending on your level of aptitude, your prep time can vary from a week to a few months. Again, start early to ensure you have enough time to prepare. Read Prepare for the GRE General Test for tips and preparation help. ...

What is a masters in education?

Master of Education focuses more on the education system itself. People with Master of Education degrees can and do stay in the classroom for the remainder of their careers, but this degree is also appropriate for people who want to advance in the field. Aspiring principals and administrators would benefit from this degree.

What is masters in teaching?

Master of Arts in Teaching focuses on a teacher's performance in the classroom. It offers a lot of hands on experience teaching and working with students. You will also be able to advance your expertise in the particular area you want to focus on.