Your Path to a Career in Teaching

Teaching is a very noble calling. There are few professions In which there is as much opportunity to help so many people prepare to lead productive lives. If you think a career in teaching may be for you, here is what you'll have to do.

First, if you're a high school or college student, see if you really do like teaching. Tutor your classmates or younger students. And, join a theatre group or debate team, or run for a class or club office so you can get used to speaking in front of groups. The best teachers are strong communicators, so do everything you can to cultivate your public speaking skills.

When you get to college, you can major in teacher education and take courses in the subject areas in which you are most interested, or major in a subject area English, history, math, etc.) and supplement subject area coursework with the education courses necessary to meet certification criteria.

In most instances, practice teaching, under the guidance of one or more educators, is also required.

In most states, the final requirement for teacher certification is passing a two-part examination called the Praxis. Part one is a test of basic math, reading, and writing skills; part two measures understanding and knowledge of specific subject areas.

Most students preparing to teach complete their course requirements, Praxis exams, and student teaching prior to earning an undergraduate degree. However, many colleges and universities offer special programs to people who choose to teach after first graduating from college and trying another career.

It is important to realize that certification requirements may vary considerably from state to state.

Please note that certification requirements vary from state to state. Thus, it is very important to be sure you are fully aware of what you'll have to do to qualify for certification in the state(s) in which you wish to teach.

You can certainly choose less challenging careers, and you can certainly choose careers in which you will earn more. However, teachers have a unique ability to make a difference in peoples' lives, and their generous vacations allow for a good deal of family time, travel, or additional income producing opportunities.

Article Source: http://www.a1-articledirectory.com

The author, Daniel Z. kane, has counseled high school and college students for more than 30 years. He has a website to help students select an online college and another which lists accredited online degrees.

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