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What it takes to be a teacher?

What it takes to be a teacher?

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Subject: Career question for you

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Michelle’s Answer

Hello, Joaquin !

What it takes to be a good teacher is a good question, especially if you are planning a specific teaching career. Think of all of the exceptionally great teachers you have had over the years and that can clue you in to what it takes. It takes more than a college degree and a credential.

There are both the technical factors and the personality traits that go into being a good teacher. It's going to depend on what age group you are teaching, too. For Special Ed, pre-school through middle school a great deal of knowledge about early childhood development is necessary. A college degree and teaching credential and a high level of patience and the ability to interact with students' parents will be a good base for being a good teacher. An interest in being aware of each students' learning needs is very important. Someone who genuinely loves children and cares about their well being and progress. Someone who can make the classroom inviting and fun and bring out the best in their students is a real plus.

For junior high through 12th grade, it takes much of the same thing but I would say that an effective teacher for this age group would be someone who can use creativity with their lesson plans to capture the attention of teenagers. The teacher was a teen once in their life, so it can be easy to relate to these students but the teacher has to be interested in being understanding, supportive and able to handle conflict and emergency situations. This type of teacher should capture the students attention in a way that causes the students to think and form their own ideas, while learning the details of a specific subject and motivating them to follow rules.

At a college level, it is important for a teacher to not make their job routine. You should see the glow and zest they have for their job. This makes the class exciting and students will look forward to attending class and retain information better. A college professor should have stellar organizational skills, know how to challenge students in an academic way and meet the students "where they're at". They should have an open door policy to their office and be willing and available to discuss any matters one on one with with one of their students.

All of the factors and traits I have mentioned can go for all teachers, really. But basically, a good teacher should be a people oriented person who loves contributing to the development of others and than sees results of their contribution.

I hope that this was helpful and I wish you all the best on your path to becoming a fabulous teacher !
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Michelle’s Answer

The state and level in which you want to teach will depend what is necessary to become a teacher. Most states will require you to take a teacher prep course as well as a state teaching test. Teaching can be very stressful, but know that it is the most rewarding job there is.
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Matthew’s Answer

The teaching level you're interested in determines the certification you'll need. These can range from primary school to secondary and even higher education. While a college degree is mandatory, it doesn't have to be in education. After I graduated, I briefly explored teaching and found several programs that offered teaching licenses for any level, regardless of my Bachelor's degree field.
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Patrick’s Answer

Joaquin, thank you for your question . I've had a discussion with my sister-in-law, who is a Principal and was a teacher for over 15 years, about your question. We've come up with a detailed outline on how to become a teacher, which includes several steps like education, certification, and gaining practical experience.

Firstly, Joaquin, you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree. Ideally, this should be in education or the specific subject you wish to teach, such as Mathematics or English. My sister-in-law mentioned that many states recommend students to join an accredited teacher preparation program. These programs are usually provided by universities and include both coursework and real-world teaching experience. Once you've successfully finished your bachelor's degree, the next step is to secure a teaching certification.

It's important to note, Joaquin, that the requirements for this certification can vary from state to state. So, you'll need to research the specific regulations for Texas or any other state you plan to reside in after college.

Furthermore, Joaquin, you should be aware that there are additional steps involved. These include taking required exams, gaining practical experience through student teaching, undergoing a background check, and participating in professional development and networking. All these elements are crucial parts of the comprehensive roadmap for those aspiring to be teachers.
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