4 answers
Saraswati
Student
Kent, Washington
1
Question
Asked
1279 views
How can I pursue teaching as a career?
What is the steps to became a teacher in the Washington state. What are the programs for teacher training and what is the requirements.
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4 answers
Logan Leal, M.A.
Communications Consultant
6
Answers
Sacramento, California
Updated
Logan’s Answer
Hi Saraswati,
I'm so excited you want to pursue teaching as a career! So far, I have taught 4 semesters of public speaking to college freshmen. The experience has been incredibly rewarding and fun.
The answer to your questions will be dependent on the age group you would like to teach, so I will provide some general knowledge, as well as some information I obtained through some initial research into your questions:
- Earn a Bachelor’s Degree and Complete a Teacher Preparation Program:
Obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program, which may be part of your undergraduate studies or a separate post-baccalaureate or master’s program.
-Pass Required Exams and Apply for Certification:
Successfully pass the Washington Educator Skills Tests (WEST-B for basic skills and WEST-E/NES for subject knowledge) and complete the edTPA assessment. Then, apply for a Residency Teacher Certificate through the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
- Explore Teacher Training Programs and Meet Additional Requirements:
Consider programs such as traditional university-based programs, alternative route programs (for career changers or those with non-education degrees), or programs like Teach for America. Additional requirements include background checks and, in some cases, coursework in areas such as special education or English language learning.
I also recommend talking to your teachers now, going back to your previous schools to ask for advice, or possible spending some time volunteering at a local school. If you go directly to the source and ask (teachers), they will give you all the tools and help needed to succeed. Best of luck in your endeavors! Feel free to find me on LinkedIn if you have further questions.
I'm so excited you want to pursue teaching as a career! So far, I have taught 4 semesters of public speaking to college freshmen. The experience has been incredibly rewarding and fun.
The answer to your questions will be dependent on the age group you would like to teach, so I will provide some general knowledge, as well as some information I obtained through some initial research into your questions:
- Earn a Bachelor’s Degree and Complete a Teacher Preparation Program:
Obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program, which may be part of your undergraduate studies or a separate post-baccalaureate or master’s program.
-Pass Required Exams and Apply for Certification:
Successfully pass the Washington Educator Skills Tests (WEST-B for basic skills and WEST-E/NES for subject knowledge) and complete the edTPA assessment. Then, apply for a Residency Teacher Certificate through the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
- Explore Teacher Training Programs and Meet Additional Requirements:
Consider programs such as traditional university-based programs, alternative route programs (for career changers or those with non-education degrees), or programs like Teach for America. Additional requirements include background checks and, in some cases, coursework in areas such as special education or English language learning.
I also recommend talking to your teachers now, going back to your previous schools to ask for advice, or possible spending some time volunteering at a local school. If you go directly to the source and ask (teachers), they will give you all the tools and help needed to succeed. Best of luck in your endeavors! Feel free to find me on LinkedIn if you have further questions.
Katie Schwartz, CCC-SLP
15
Answers
Durham, North Carolina
Updated
Katie’s Answer
Saraswati, I looked up your question on Google and found some helpful links. Here's one you might find useful: https://www.pesb.wa.gov/pathways/becoming-an-educator/. Even though I'm not from WA or a teacher, I believe you can achieve your goals. Best of luck!
Ask some educators what they do and do not like about their career. Every job has bad aspects, but people may not say them unless you ask.
Katie recommends the following next steps:
Brittney Shoop
Shift Lead
3
Answers
Oregon City, Oregon
Updated
Brittney’s Answer
Hello there! You might want to check out this link: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/certification/teacher-certificate as it will show you everything and anything about the requirements for your state (I'm currently looking at teaching in Oregon, so I totally get that there is a lot to look through!).
If you have the ability, taking a few secondary education classes about either teaching, or the psychology of teaching would be a good start! There are other ways to practice teaching as well, like becoming a coach for a sports team, volunteering to run a project in a topic you have knowledge in or volunteering time with children who are younger than you -they always ask questions that need creative answers! Plus, anything you do can be put on a resume that'll someday land you a teaching career! <3
If you have the ability, taking a few secondary education classes about either teaching, or the psychology of teaching would be a good start! There are other ways to practice teaching as well, like becoming a coach for a sports team, volunteering to run a project in a topic you have knowledge in or volunteering time with children who are younger than you -they always ask questions that need creative answers! Plus, anything you do can be put on a resume that'll someday land you a teaching career! <3
Kendra Unger
Learning & Development
6
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Kendra’s Answer
Hi Saraswati,
I taught middle and high school for 11 years. I went to a 4 year college and then did a 2 year teacher preparation program because I didn't realize at first that I was interested in teaching.
I'm guessing that you might want to teach public school, in which case you would need what is called a teacher certification. This website is a useful starting place: https://teachwa.org/becomeateacher/certification/. Here's what you'd need to do that:
- A 4 year college degree. You can often start that in a 2 year college and transfer to a 4 year college, or you could go straight to a 4 year college. You would study education and pick an specific area to focus on, called an endorsement.
As a part of your certification: you would also do student teaching and pass a few tests in your subject area. The program you enroll in will help you.
Many colleges offer programs in teacher education. If you want to stay near Kent WA, it looks like you could start by researching Highline College, University of Puget Sound, UW Seattle or UW Tacoma teacher education programs. There are lots of options out there.
Good luck!
Research 2 year and 4 year colleges. You can search for teacher education programs in ____ city to help you.
I taught middle and high school for 11 years. I went to a 4 year college and then did a 2 year teacher preparation program because I didn't realize at first that I was interested in teaching.
I'm guessing that you might want to teach public school, in which case you would need what is called a teacher certification. This website is a useful starting place: https://teachwa.org/becomeateacher/certification/. Here's what you'd need to do that:
- A 4 year college degree. You can often start that in a 2 year college and transfer to a 4 year college, or you could go straight to a 4 year college. You would study education and pick an specific area to focus on, called an endorsement.
As a part of your certification: you would also do student teaching and pass a few tests in your subject area. The program you enroll in will help you.
Many colleges offer programs in teacher education. If you want to stay near Kent WA, it looks like you could start by researching Highline College, University of Puget Sound, UW Seattle or UW Tacoma teacher education programs. There are lots of options out there.
Good luck!
Kendra recommends the following next steps: