{"id":42532,"date":"2024-10-29T13:07:47","date_gmt":"2024-10-29T18:07:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/?p=42532"},"modified":"2024-10-30T02:53:35","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T07:53:35","slug":"best-ways-to-become-a-teacher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/blog\/insights\/best-ways-to-become-a-teacher\/","title":{"rendered":"The 4 Best Ways to Become a Teacher in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"
Teaching is one of the most impactful and rewarding careers- allowing you to shape the futures of generations and society.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The greatest reward is watching your students grow from a level of not knowing to that of understanding. Despite the academic knowledge that your students gain, they also develop interpersonal skills that ensure their social and emotional development under your care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Children also grow socially and emotionally under your guidance as you help them realize their full potential.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Becoming a<\/span> certified teacher<\/span><\/a> usually takes between four to five years. But, if you already hold a bachelor’s degree, you could enroll in an accelerated teacher certification program, become licensed in as little as one year (some programs are longer), and start teaching as quickly as possible.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So, yes, with a bachelor’s degree in any subject, you can enroll in a state-approved teaching program. You will be expected to pass the entry requirements, including state exams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This<\/span> accelerated teacher’s certification program<\/span><\/a> is for you if you want to make a mark in society by transitioning into teaching but need more time to undergo the traditional 4-5 year training to earn a degree in education.<\/span><\/p>\n In this article, we look at several ways in which you can start teaching as soon as possible and to help you fast-track your career as a teacher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Do you remember a teacher who positively influenced your life and taught you virtues that you live by to this day? This is what teaching is about.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As an educator, you are a role model for your students, inspiring future generations by helping them acquire lessons that will follow them for the rest of their lives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are seven great reasons to become a teacher;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The traditional route to<\/span> becoming a teacher<\/span><\/a> is to acquire a bachelor’s degree in education, which takes about four to five years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But if you’d like to join this noble profession and don’t have the funds, the time, or the groove to get a bachelor’s degree in education, here are alternate certification programs that you can use to get your teacher certification:<\/span><\/p>\n This is ideal when you have a bachelor’s degree in another field and want to change your career to education. A one-year master’s program will help you acquire the foundational skills for education.<\/span><\/p>\n The program combines the study of educational pedagogy and hands-on experiences through working with students in classrooms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The two main master’s programs leading to teaching are a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master of Education.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The upside of going for the one-year master’s program is that you acquire your teaching credentials and your master’s degree simultaneously. Additionally, you’ll have a higher starting salary once you qualify to teach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You can pursue the single-subject teaching option if you hold a bachelor’s degree in a particular subject.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This alternative certification program only allows you to use your existing degree to teach the subject you’re certified in. However, this will limit your scope of work to middle or high school classes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For instance, if you hold a degree in mathematics, you can get a single-subject teaching degree, which allows you to teach middle or high school math classes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you want certification, you will also be expected to pass an exam testing your essential reading, writing, and mathematics skills and demonstrate mastery of the subject.<\/span><\/p>\n You are expected to take up student teaching programs in your degree program. An internship program allows you to acquire practical classroom management skills while assisting the lead teachers as they supervise you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some school districts also offer internships where you can enrol to serve in a classroom internship without holding an initial teaching certification. Here, you’re assigned an experienced teacher as a mentor to guide and support your professional development journey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n An advantage of this fast-track option is that you receive a full-time salary and benefits. Additionally, you may not incur tuition fees for your training if you work in the district for at least two years after completing your internship.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To qualify for licensure, you must pass all the state examinations and a background check.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Private schools are allowed to define their minimum teaching standards. Therefore, you may not need a degree to teach in a private institution.<\/span><\/p>\n A bachelor’s degree in any subject may be adequate to jumpstart your teaching career in a private school.<\/span><\/p>\n Teaching in a private school will be a good opportunity for you to pursue certification while already earning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some states, such as California, allow teachers who have been in private institutions for three or more years to acquire teaching credentials without completing the teacher training program. You can opt for single-subject or multiple-subject teaching certifications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You have to take several steps to become a teacher in the United States of America. Let’s explore them:<\/span><\/p>\n In most states, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for becoming a teacher. This traditional route takes four to five years of study.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you have a bachelor’s degree in another subject other than education, you can transition into teaching by enrolling in an <\/span>alternative certification program<\/span><\/a> and fast-tracking your process of becoming a teacher in your particular subject.<\/span><\/p>\n A teaching certificate is a credential that allows trained teachers to teach in public schools. Teacher certification programs vary in length depending on your state’s recommendations. In some states, prospective teachers are expected to undertake internship programs as part of the certification requirement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The certification program is a rigorous exercise that requires you to have the following:<\/span><\/p>\n However, different states have different certification requirements. For instance, while many states require a basic skills test, Colorado only requires a Subject Area Competence test.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In addition, while most states rely on the Praxis to assess the suitability of their prospective teachers, states such as Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, and Florida do not use the Praxis test. It’s good to check your state’s website to find your specific licensing requirements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The fast-track certification program will allow you to accelerate your transition from other professions to education. The programs can take between one to two years of rigorous learning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You’ll be expected to learn the core pedagogical approaches to classroom instruction and management.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Alternative teacher certification programs may offer online, evening, or weekend programs that allow you to transition to teaching while working full-time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You are then required to pass your state’s exams, primarily Praxis tests, that teachers who follow the traditional route take for certification.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To teach in public schools, you must apply for your teaching certificate from your state’s Department of Education. The requirements for licensure vary from state to state.<\/span><\/p>\n For licensing in most states, you must have passed the general certification and subject tests for the subjects you are interested in teaching.<\/span><\/p>\n If you are taking the fast-tracking route into teaching, you’ll be granted full certification upon completing your alternative program. The licensure allows you to teach immediately on completion under the supervision of an experienced teacher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Even if you are applying to teach in a private school, you could expand your employment options by obtaining certification in your respective state. However, this is not a mandatory requirement in private schools.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is time to start earning from all your input and efforts and make a difference in students’ lives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ensure your resume is comprehensive, showing all your teaching experience and certifications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are some tips on how to make a great resume:<\/span><\/p>\n Remember to create a great cover letter that grabs the principal’s attention to increase your chances of getting hired. Here are some ways of searching for teaching jobs in your state:<\/span><\/p>\nReasons to Become a Teacher<\/b><\/h2>\n
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4 Ways to Become a Teacher in No Time<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. Enroll in a One-year Master’s Program<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. Pursue a Single-subject Teaching Degree<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. Obtain a School District Internship<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. Teach at a Private School.<\/b><\/h3>\n
Steps to Becoming a Teacher<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree.<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. Get a Teaching Certificate.\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
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3. Complete the Core Curriculum of the Fast-track Certification Program.<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. Apply for State Licensure for Teachers.\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
5. Apply for Teaching Jobs.<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Alternative Certification Programs for Teachers<\/b><\/h2>\n