3 answers
Hazel
Student
Los Gatos, California
4
Questions
Asked
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what does one need to know and be able to for becoming a teacher?
I am a student and I am doing a project on the path I want to follow after school. I just would like to know more about teaching and what qualifies me.
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3 answers
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
838
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Hazel,
One of the first things to know about teaching is what age you want to teach. In other words, how do you see your teaching career going? That is an important first step because depending on the age group, you may need a different sort of degree to make it possible. For example, K-8 may allow you to get a degree in Education since you need to focus on your overall teaching skills as you often teach a variety of subjects. As you go into high school, you may end up teaching in a specific area - like English, Math, or History, where you might benefit from having a degree in those areas rather that just education. If you want to teach at the college level, you have to have a degree in the subject that you will be teaching before you can even think about teaching it. Often, you actually need a Masters degree to teach at the college level. In the last two scenarios, you would probably still need to get a teaching certificate for whatever state you want to teach in.
I was actually a teacher outside of the standard education. I taught in the corporate world. That actually doesn't require post secondary education, rather knowledge of the topic, good communication skills, and attention to detail. Individuals with degrees in Education are also valuable in the corporate world where you would be teaching adults of all ages (just like college).
Gloria
One of the first things to know about teaching is what age you want to teach. In other words, how do you see your teaching career going? That is an important first step because depending on the age group, you may need a different sort of degree to make it possible. For example, K-8 may allow you to get a degree in Education since you need to focus on your overall teaching skills as you often teach a variety of subjects. As you go into high school, you may end up teaching in a specific area - like English, Math, or History, where you might benefit from having a degree in those areas rather that just education. If you want to teach at the college level, you have to have a degree in the subject that you will be teaching before you can even think about teaching it. Often, you actually need a Masters degree to teach at the college level. In the last two scenarios, you would probably still need to get a teaching certificate for whatever state you want to teach in.
I was actually a teacher outside of the standard education. I taught in the corporate world. That actually doesn't require post secondary education, rather knowledge of the topic, good communication skills, and attention to detail. Individuals with degrees in Education are also valuable in the corporate world where you would be teaching adults of all ages (just like college).
Gloria
Vannessa Arnold
Customer Service Rep
2
Answers
Saint Cloud, Minnesota
Updated
Vannessa’s Answer
* This is my opinion * Children are so impressionable, so innocent; with that being said....
Always greet them with a welcoming spirit
Congratulate them at every opportunity
Be honest at all times
Listen 1st
Vannessa recommends the following next steps:
Melanie Boberg
Student Teacher
27
Answers
Normal, Illinois
Updated
Melanie’s Answer
Teaching is a very important job in society. Teachers guide future generations and are the main support system for many students who might not have one at home. Teachers do more than teaching curriculum. They provide emotional support, they guide behaviors, they financially support their classroom, and so much more. To be a teacher, you have to be passionate about helping students and being prepared for a lot of work with a lot of reward. You get to watch your students' progress over the course of the year and oftentimes are connected to those students for a long time after. There are a lot of responsibilities that come along with teaching and while it may not be a lucrative career choice, you will be changing lives and will be the person that your students trust when they feel like they have no one.