{"id":43167,"date":"2023-06-02T17:57:33","date_gmt":"2023-06-02T22:57:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/?p=43167"},"modified":"2023-06-02T17:57:33","modified_gmt":"2023-06-02T22:57:33","slug":"become-a-teacher-in-michigan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/blog\/insights\/become-a-teacher-in-michigan\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Teacher in Michigan in 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
Teaching is more than just a profession \u2014 it is a noble and vital vocation that plays a significant role in shaping the future of our society.<\/span><\/p>\n However, becoming a teacher requires meeting certain standards and certifications that vary depending on where you live.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Michigan, like other states in the US, has its own rules and standards for the teaching profession.<\/span><\/p>\n Whether you’re a recent college graduate or a career changer, this article will cover all the relevant information on how to become a teacher in Michigan. We\u2019ll discuss the steps you need to obtain your teaching license and the required certifications.<\/span><\/p>\n Teaching is a rewarding and fulfilling career that offers a wide range of benefits and opportunities. Here are some of the most compelling reasons to seek a career as a teacher:<\/span><\/p>\n Teaching is the ideal career for you if you enjoy working with children and adolescents and would love to make a difference in the lives of young learners. It\u2019s also a great career if you\u2019re looking for a dynamic environment in which you can easily thrive since you get daily challenges and opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A typical day for a teacher in Michigan will vary depending on their grade level, subject area, and school district. Here’s a general outline of what a typical day might look like:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Note:<\/b> The specific schedule and responsibilities may vary depending on the school, grade level, and subject area taught, as well as individual teacher preferences and school policies.<\/span><\/p>\n To become a teacher in Michigan, you need to follow the steps below:<\/span><\/p>\n All schools in Michigan require prospective teachers to have at least a bachelor’s degree.<\/span><\/p>\n The specific degree subject may vary depending on the grade level or subject area you want to teach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For example, elementary-level homeroom teachers can get degrees in elementary education, while high school teachers may need a degree in a specific subject such as math or history.<\/span><\/p>\n Consider your career objectives, interests, and strengths when choosing a degree program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Research the requirements of the school district or grade level you aspire to teach, as some districts may have specific requirements or preferences for certain degrees.<\/span><\/p>\n In Michigan, you must complete a state-approved teacher preparation program as part of the certification process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The key learnings of the teacher preparation program include:<\/span><\/p>\n There are multiple pathways to becoming a teacher in Michigan, including traditional, expedited, and alternative routes.<\/span><\/p>\n The traditional pathway typically involves completing a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field, followed by a teacher preparation program at a college or university.<\/span><\/p>\n Expedited and alternative pathways may allow you to work as a full-time teacher while completing your certification requirements, providing opportunities for career changers or those with relevant work experience.<\/span><\/p>\n The Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) is a set of exams administered by the Michigan Department of Education that assess the knowledge and skills of individuals who wish to become certified teachers.<\/span><\/p>\n You take the MTTC once you\u2019re done with the teacher preparation program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are two types of MTTC exams:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The passing score for the MTTC exams is 220 out of a possible 300. The exams are typically taken on a computer and are offered at various testing centers throughout the state of Michigan.<\/span><\/p>\n Prospective teachers can apply for a teaching certificate from the Michigan Department of Education.<\/span><\/p>\n When applying, you\u2019re expected to submit:<\/span><\/p>\n The teaching certification is valid for five years. As you advance in your teaching profession, you may apply for <\/span>professional or advanced professional certification.<\/span><\/p>\n Once you\u2019re certified, you’re now qualified to teach in the Michigan public school system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To find open teaching positions in Michigan, search for job openings on various job boards and search engines. Some popular options include Indeed, Monster, and Glassdoor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You can also visit the Michigan Department of Education’s website to see if there are any job openings in specific school districts or charter schools. Additionally, networking with current teachers, attending job fairs, and reaching out to school administrators can also help you find teaching opportunities in Michigan.<\/span><\/p>\n Getting your basic teaching credential is necessary to teach in Michigan. In addition, two levels of teaching certification are available via the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).<\/span><\/p>\n They include:<\/span><\/p>\n The standard certification is one of the most common types of certification for Michigan teachers. It is issued to teachers who have completed a bachelor’s degree, a state-approved teacher preparation program, and passed the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) in their subject area.<\/span><\/p>\n This certification is valid for five years and is renewable upon completion of certain requirements, which may vary from grade to grade.<\/span><\/p>\n To be eligible for a standard certification, you must also complete an approved reading instruction course, hold a valid first aid and CPR certification, and pass a background check.<\/span><\/p>\n If you already hold a basic certification, you can upgrade to professional certification. Here are the requirements:<\/span><\/p>\n The professional can be renewed every five years.<\/span><\/p>\n The MDE only offers this Certification at its highest level. To qualify for the advanced professional certification, you must hold a relevant professional certification.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You must also become certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or graduate from a Michigan Teacher Leader program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To qualify, you need to have received a rating of “highly effective” or “effective” on at least three of your last five-yearly teacher evaluations without receiving any ineffective ratings. This accreditation is also renewable after five years.<\/span><\/p>\n For each level of certification, consult the Michigan Department of Education website for more information on the requirements for each certification type.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to holding at least a bachelor’s degree and completing an approved teacher preparation program, Michigan law requires that teachers obtain an<\/span> endorsement<\/b> in the subject area they wish to teach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You can earn an endorsement in the grades you intend to teach. This includes:<\/span><\/p>\n The Early Childhood Teacher endorsement is designed for individuals who wish to teach in early childhood education settings such as preschool and early elementary schools.<\/span><\/p>\n You\u2019re required to complete specific coursework and classroom training in early childhood education.<\/span><\/p>\n With this endorsement, you\u2019ll be qualified to teach young children a range of subjects like language and literacy development, math, social studies, science, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The test topics for this endorsement include communication, child development, and learning, content area learning, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n The Elementary School Teacher endorsement in Michigan is for individuals who wish to teach in grades K-5. This endorsement allows you to teach all subject areas, including language arts, math, science, social studies, and other specialized areas, such as music and art.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The fee to take the Elementary Education Test is $130 and to qualify for an elementary endorsement, you need to get a score of 220.<\/span><\/p>\n An extra MTTC in the content area you plan to teach, such as language arts, is required if you want to teach students in grades 6-8.<\/span><\/p>\n The Middle School Teacher endorsement in Michigan is perfect for you if you want to teach in middle school.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It allows you to teach a specific subject area, such as math, science, social studies, English\/language arts, or a specialized area, such as physical education, music, or arts.<\/span><\/p>\n The High School Teacher endorsement is right for you if you\u2019d like to teach in grades 9-12. The MTTC you take as a secondary school teacher candidate varies depending on the subject focus in your teacher preparation program.<\/span><\/p>\n Consult with your program advisor to select which test to take. The MTTC will then assess your knowledge in that subject.<\/span><\/p>\n This endorsement will be great for you if you want to focus in specialized areas such as special education, English as a Second Language (ESL), or career and technical education.<\/span><\/p>\n To obtain a special education endorsement in Michigan, you must focus on a specific special education population unless you wish to teach at the early childhood education level. In this case, you only need to take and pass the Early Childhood Education exam.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n By taking the associated MTTC, you can gain a special education endorsement in one of the following areas:<\/span><\/p>\n In Michigan, schools typically follow a 10-month school year that starts in late August or early September and ends in late May or early June. The school week for teachers usually runs from Monday to Friday.<\/span><\/p>\n Typically, teachers in Michigan spend their work time in classrooms or on school grounds, engaging in instructional activities, classroom management, and student assessments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, it is common for educators to work beyond regular school hours, including evenings and weekends, to prepare lesson plans, grade assignments, and participate in meetings or professional development.<\/span><\/p>\n Job security is an important factor for teachers in Michigan. According to the Michigan Department of Education, teachers in Michigan are covered by the Teachers’ Tenure Act, which provides job security for tenured teachers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The act requires school districts to follow specific procedures before dismissing a tenured teacher, including providing the teacher with written notice of the reasons for the proposed dismissal and an opportunity for a hearing.<\/span><\/p>\n Michigan is home to several in-demand teaching careers, with opportunities ranging from early childhood education to high school instruction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As of 2023, the state’s education system is experiencing a shortage of qualified educators, creating a pressing need for individuals passionate about teaching and with the necessary skills to succeed in the classroom.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Michigan has a high demand for teachers in various fields due to retirement, population growth, and increased student enrollment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to the Michigan Department of Education, several in-demand teaching careers in Michigan offer competitive salaries and excellent job prospects for qualified candidates.<\/span><\/p>\nReasons to Become a Teacher<\/b><\/h2>\n
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A Day in the Life of a Teacher in Michigan<\/b><\/h2>\n
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\n Morning<\/span><\/td>\n \n \n
\n Lunch<\/span><\/td>\n \n \n
\n Early Afternoon<\/span><\/td>\n \n \n
\n Late Afternoon<\/span><\/td>\n \n \n
\n End of Day<\/span><\/td>\n \n \n
Steps to Becoming a Teacher in Michigan<\/b><\/h2>\n
Step 1: Complete your college education:<\/b><\/h3>\n
Step 2: Complete a Teacher Preparation Program:<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Step 3: Pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Step 4: Apply for a teaching certificate:<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Step 5: Apply for teaching jobs<\/b><\/h3>\n
Teacher Certification Types<\/b><\/h2>\n
1- <\/b>Standard certification<\/b><\/h3>\n
2- Professional Certificate<\/b><\/h3>\n
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3- Advanced Professional Certification<\/b><\/h3>\n
Endorsement Options for Teachers in Michigan<\/b><\/h2>\n
Early Childhood Teacher<\/b><\/h3>\n
Elementary School Teacher<\/b><\/h3>\n
Middle School Teacher<\/b><\/h3>\n
High School Teacher<\/b><\/h3>\n
Teacher in a Specialized Area<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Teacher’s Work Environment in Michigan<\/b><\/h2>\n
In-Demand Teaching Careers in Michigan<\/b><\/h2>\n