5 answers
Sofia
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Asked
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What’s most difficult about becoming a teacher and how can I make it more efficient?
I am Sofia and go to crane middle school. I’m a 7th grader in Mr. Francis’s 1st period class. I want to be an elementary school teacher and want to get my doctorates degree. I want my doctorates to have a higher education and pay. Is it difficult to become a teacher? What can I do to make the process more efficient?
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4 answers
Dr. Kelly Desso
Protective Services
266
Answers
Somers, Connecticut
Updated
Dr. Kelly’s Answer
Hi Sofia,
It's great to see your enthusiasm for teaching in the K-12 setting! Although I'm not a certified K-12 teacher, I've gone through a long educational journey, from an associate's degree to a doctorate, which took about 14-15 years, including two master's degrees. I highly recommend finding an employer who can help fund your education, as I couldn't have done it without amazing support from my program and workplace.
Consider what area you might want to specialize in, as this will guide your path in advanced studies. You have plenty of time to explore and might discover a passion for a specific subject or age group as you progress towards high school graduation. Keep up the great work!
It's great to see your enthusiasm for teaching in the K-12 setting! Although I'm not a certified K-12 teacher, I've gone through a long educational journey, from an associate's degree to a doctorate, which took about 14-15 years, including two master's degrees. I highly recommend finding an employer who can help fund your education, as I couldn't have done it without amazing support from my program and workplace.
Consider what area you might want to specialize in, as this will guide your path in advanced studies. You have plenty of time to explore and might discover a passion for a specific subject or age group as you progress towards high school graduation. Keep up the great work!
Vianne Phan
Youth Development Teacher
296
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Vianne’s Answer
Being a teacher can be tough because balancing work and life is tricky. Teaching isn't just about being in front of a class; it involves a lot of planning, grading, and finding ways to help each student learn since everyone learns differently. Teachers need to be creative and flexible to keep students interested, and it can take time to manage all these tasks while still having energy left at the end of the day.
Right now, it's a good idea to focus on doing well in school and building skills like communication, patience, and organization. Watching how your favorite teachers explain things can teach you a lot about good teaching. Helping classmates or tutoring younger students can also give you a taste of what teaching is like.
If you want to become an elementary school teacher, you'll usually need a bachelor's degree in education and a teaching credential. If you're thinking about getting a doctorate later, that's a great goal. Many teachers pursue doctorates to move into leadership, research, or higher education. It might take time, but with curiosity and determination, you can achieve your goals.
Right now, it's a good idea to focus on doing well in school and building skills like communication, patience, and organization. Watching how your favorite teachers explain things can teach you a lot about good teaching. Helping classmates or tutoring younger students can also give you a taste of what teaching is like.
If you want to become an elementary school teacher, you'll usually need a bachelor's degree in education and a teaching credential. If you're thinking about getting a doctorate later, that's a great goal. Many teachers pursue doctorates to move into leadership, research, or higher education. It might take time, but with curiosity and determination, you can achieve your goals.
Jerry Tingstad
Professor/middle school teacher/48 years
194
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
First, this is an interesting approach to teaching in elementary education, considering, being in 7th grade, it hasn't been that long when you were an elementary education student. You therefore have a good deal of experience, and have come to some conclusions about your time there.
In your opinion, what are the pluses and minuses? I'd write them down. Then discuss them with other students in your middle school. Discussions with your peers will probably add to your list.
So that could be your start in your analysis of teaching in elementary education.
Then, since you have a good deal of time before you are qualified to enter higher education, explore the institutions which offer degrees ij elementary education. And perhaps another list of pluses and minuses.
Over time, not only will your lists grow, so will you, and hopefully it will all come together for you, and off you go.
One other point: I am not sure why you wish to get a doctorate in education and then teach elementary education? A doctorate is time consuming and most people pursue it in order to remain in higher education as a professor, or become involved in consulting, or a combination thereof. But that is for you to answer. I am not even sure that a doctorate in elementary education is helpful in becoming an effective classroom teacher.
In your opinion, what are the pluses and minuses? I'd write them down. Then discuss them with other students in your middle school. Discussions with your peers will probably add to your list.
So that could be your start in your analysis of teaching in elementary education.
Then, since you have a good deal of time before you are qualified to enter higher education, explore the institutions which offer degrees ij elementary education. And perhaps another list of pluses and minuses.
Over time, not only will your lists grow, so will you, and hopefully it will all come together for you, and off you go.
One other point: I am not sure why you wish to get a doctorate in education and then teach elementary education? A doctorate is time consuming and most people pursue it in order to remain in higher education as a professor, or become involved in consulting, or a combination thereof. But that is for you to answer. I am not even sure that a doctorate in elementary education is helpful in becoming an effective classroom teacher.
Thank you for the advice you’ve given me. It helped me understand what my career will look like. Is it better for me to get all a’s right now than a’s and b’s?
Sofia
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
1209
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Sofia,
Being a teacher is an awesome profession with a lot of responsibility. In Arizona, to become an elementary school teacher, you need a K-8 certificate from the Arizona Department of Education.
The direct pathway to get certified as an elementary school teacher would be to get a bachelors degree in elementary education. If you want to get your bachelors in a different major, you need to attend an approved educator preparation program. There is no need for a doctorate to become a teacher, but you can of course get a doctorate in education if you major in elementary education or in any other major you might want to study in undergrad. You then need to pass a professional knowledge test and a subject matter test before you can apply for licensing.
I am not sure about making the process "more efficient", but the most difficult step is the transition from university to actually teaching classes. Get as much hands-on experience with kids in general and in schools through internships and apprenticeships as you possibly can to make sure this profession is for you and to make the transition as smooth as possible.
A few universities in Arizona that offer degrees in elementary education:
https://education.arizona.edu/majors/elementary-education
https://degrees.apps.asu.edu/bachelors/major/ASU00/TEEEDBAE/elementary-education
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/bachelor-science-elementary-education-special-education
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges-with-elementary-education/s/arizona/
https://www.azed.gov/educator-certification/elementary-education-k-8
https://moreland.edu/teacher-certification-program-online/arizona/teacher-certification-requirements
https://www.azed.gov/teach/educator-preparation-programs
https://mycert.azed.gov/launch
Being a teacher is an awesome profession with a lot of responsibility. In Arizona, to become an elementary school teacher, you need a K-8 certificate from the Arizona Department of Education.
The direct pathway to get certified as an elementary school teacher would be to get a bachelors degree in elementary education. If you want to get your bachelors in a different major, you need to attend an approved educator preparation program. There is no need for a doctorate to become a teacher, but you can of course get a doctorate in education if you major in elementary education or in any other major you might want to study in undergrad. You then need to pass a professional knowledge test and a subject matter test before you can apply for licensing.
I am not sure about making the process "more efficient", but the most difficult step is the transition from university to actually teaching classes. Get as much hands-on experience with kids in general and in schools through internships and apprenticeships as you possibly can to make sure this profession is for you and to make the transition as smooth as possible.
A few universities in Arizona that offer degrees in elementary education:
https://education.arizona.edu/majors/elementary-education
https://degrees.apps.asu.edu/bachelors/major/ASU00/TEEEDBAE/elementary-education
https://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/bachelor-science-elementary-education-special-education
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps: