{"id":42511,"date":"2024-10-28T17:03:17","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T22:03:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/?p=42511"},"modified":"2024-11-28T02:23:12","modified_gmt":"2024-11-28T08:23:12","slug":"how-to-become-an-art-teacher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/blog\/insights\/how-to-become-an-art-teacher\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become an Art Teacher: Step-by-Step Guide 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
Art teachers work with students, teaching them how to paint, draw, take photographs, and create ceramics and sculptures. They design engaging art curricula that align with educational standards\u2013 planning lessons, selecting appropriate materials, and building projects that encourage creativity.<\/span><\/p>\n As an art teacher, you’ll teach fundamental art concepts and techniques, such as color theory, perspective, composition, and various artistic mediums such as painting, drawing, sculpture, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n Art teachers also facilitate students\u2019 acquisition of art supplies, equipment, and sources for art technique instructors according to their competence level.<\/span><\/p>\n Teaching art is an exciting opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society while increasing self-awareness and earning a stable income. We have compiled an exhaustive step-by-step guide on how you can join this exciting career, <\/span>the skill<\/span><\/a> requirements, and the benefits. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Art teachers help students learn how to express themselves creatively. This can be through practical activities such as painting, pottery, photography, sculpturing, drawing, and textiles.<\/span><\/p>\n Besides helping students develop artistic skills, they also meet their academic and emotional needs. Art teachers are involved in the general responsibilities of teachers, such as grading and monitoring their educational progress.<\/span><\/p>\n As an art teacher, you introduce students to the formal qualities of art and varied media or artistic creation. You also help them become accustomed to the tools and materials they will use in illustrative, sculptural, and craft-based art.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As an art teacher, you\u2019ll be expected to:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As an art teacher, your role involves introducing students to various art forms, nurturing their creative abilities, and fostering their appreciation for artistic expression. Passion for art alone is not enough. Several steps lead to your initial art teaching license.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Traditionally, becoming an art teacher involves the following steps:<\/span><\/p>\n There are two routes you can take to become an Art teacher. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n If you go the traditional university route, you will need to obtain a bachelor\u2019s degree in Art Education or a related field, which typically takes four years. During your degree program, you’ll take courses in art theory, history, and methods, along with general education courses.<\/span><\/p>\n If you have a bachelor\u2019s degree in a field that is not education, programs like Teachers of Tomorrow, can help you become certified without going back to school for a four-year degree.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Instead, you take certification-specific coursework online. The benefits of the alternative certification program include:<\/span><\/p>\n Whichever path you take, you\u2019ll need to pass specific exams required by your state. The type of exam varies depending on the state, so it’s essential to confirm which one applies to your state.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are a few examples:<\/span><\/p>\n The exam tests areas such as:<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re taking the university route, you complete a student teaching program as part of your degree program. You\u2019ll spend several months in a classroom under the guidance of a mentor teacher.<\/span><\/p>\n Through the alternative certification program, you\u2019ll complete a field experience component while actively teaching. This hands-on experience happens alongside your online coursework, which allows for the immediate application of learning in a real classroom setting.<\/span><\/p>\n The state teaching license certifies that you have met the educational and professional requirements to teach in a public school.<\/span><\/p>\n To get your license, you’ll need to complete an application form provided by your state’s education department. You’ll then submit supporting documents, including transcripts, proof of student teaching, exam scores, and an application fee.<\/span><\/p>\n Most states conduct background checks to ensure you have no criminal records that would disqualify you from teaching.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n An art portfolio displays your best artwork and showcases your art versatility. In your portfolio, include your finished artwork, sketches, and working documents showing your creative process.<\/span><\/p>\n Arrange your images in a narrative flow, with the best of your works in the first and last images. Include a variety of images within your areas of specialization.<\/span><\/p>\n Once your portfolio is ready, it is time to apply for those teaching positions. First, identify a school that offers art education and values art.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Many school districts have dedicated job boards where they advertise teaching vacancies. Use education-specific job boards like the <\/span>National Art Education Association (NAEA).<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Also, contact art teachers in your target areas to learn about the job market and potential opportunities. Participate in art education conferences to network with professionals and explore job openings.<\/span><\/p>\n Highlight your teaching experience, qualifications, and relevant skills. Customize it for each application. Tailor your cover letter to each school, emphasizing how your skills and experience align with their specific needs and goals.<\/span><\/p>\n Lastly, consider the learning level of the learners you would like to teach and are qualified to teach and apply to join the field of art as a teacher.<\/span><\/p>\n As an art teacher, having different skill sets is crucial for inspiring creativity and fostering artistic growth among students. Here are some essential skills for art teachers :<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Engaging in continuous professional development is crucial for staying current with new techniques, tools, and teaching methodologies.<\/span><\/p>\n Today, you can easily learn to teach art. With the availability of books, training courses, <\/span>free online teaching courses<\/span><\/a>, and university programs, art teachers can grow their skills.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In addition, continuous professional development helps you enhance your creative skills, which can elevate your teaching skills to greater heights.<\/span><\/p>\n Student learning is the process through which your students acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors, enabling them to understand art.<\/span><\/p>\n Your students need thorough guidance through each art step because art is a process. You should identify suitable creative approaches that draw the attention of less attentive learners and help them identify captivating entry points to the lesson.<\/span><\/p>\n Creating art is magical. Becoming an art teacher allows you to inspire children. You make a difference in society by developing critical thinkers, creators, and decision-makers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You help your learners become better risk-takers by nurturing a brave space in your studio, and they appreciate failure as a positive learning experience.<\/span><\/p>\n Teaching offers excellent job security once you have worked hard and earned the certificates. Finally, it offers excellent job security since the flexibility in mobility allows one to teach almost anywhere in the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at other <\/span>reasons to become an art teacher\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Art teachers\u2019 salaries vary depending on the grade taught, the years of experience, the type of school, and the geographical location.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to the <\/span>Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/span><\/a>, the median salary for elementary art teachers is $63,680, while middle school art teachers earn a median salary of $63,280. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $45,650, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $100,390.<\/span><\/p>\n The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that elementary, middle, and high school job opportunities will <\/span>rise by 4%<\/span><\/a> from 2019-2029.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Even when there\u2019s a <\/span>decline<\/span><\/a> in funding for art in public schools, charter schools provide an excellent opportunity for art teachers.<\/span><\/p>\nArt Teacher Job Definition<\/b><\/h2>\n
Art Teacher\u2019s Responsibilities<\/b><\/h2>\n
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How to Become an Art Teacher<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. Choose Your Certification Path<\/b><\/h3>\n
University Route<\/b><\/h4>\n
Alternative Certification Program\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n
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2. Pass State-Specific Certification Exams<\/b><\/h3>\n
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3. Complete Classroom Training and Teaching Experience<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. Apply for the State License<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. Compile an Art Portfolio<\/b><\/h3>\n
5. Apply for Art Teaching Positions<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Required Skills for Art Teachers<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Professional Development<\/b><\/h2>\n
Student Learning<\/b><\/h2>\n
Reasons to Become an Art Teacher<\/b><\/h2>\n
Salary Expectations<\/b><\/h2>\n
Job Outlook<\/b><\/h2>\n