Start Teaching Soon

You may have heard that being a teacher can be a very rewarding career. This can be for different reasons for everyone. Even if being a teacher was not something that you always wanted to do in life, it can be done no matter which career you are coming from. You should keep reading if you want to find out how to become a teacher. 

Earn a Bachelor's Degree

The first step you should take is to earn your bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Just any online school will not do. Many people will get a degree in education, but you can actually get a bachelor's degree in anything you like. So even if you are coming from another career path and already have a degree, there are several ways to become a certified teacher. 

If you are from outside of the United States and you obtained your degree from another country, there are requirements you can meet to teach, depending on the state you move to. If you need student loans to finish your bachelor's degree, do your research and get a good interest rate. Be sure not to take out more than you need and decide on a payment plan that you can afford after you graduate. 

Get Certified

After you have a bachelor's degree from a recognized university, it is time to get certified to teach. This could vary depending on where you want to teach. It will usually require you to take classes about being in the classroom and the different types of teaching styles there are. You will then need to pass a test in the content area that you want to teach.

You will not need to make a perfect score, but there will be a specific passing rate that you have to achieve. Most certification programs will cost money, and some let you pay the fees off over time, even after you get your first teaching job. You can provide the program proof of employment and then get monthly payments automatically deducted from your paychecks. 

Pass the Criteria

Once you have the education that is required to become a teacher, you will need to start applying for jobs. You can use the internet to find out what school districts are in your area. You should do your research and read about the demographics at different schools, what their test scores are, and what positions they are hiring for. Before you apply, update your resume and even have a friend look over it. Think about why you want to become a teacher because you will most likely be asked why. 

Once you have applied, there are other criteria you will need to meet. For example, you will need to pass a criminal background check and probably be fingerprinted. You will need to submit your college transcript and proof of your teaching certification. The human resources department of the school district will be the ones to take you through the hiring process. 

Get the Job

Once you have received a job offer, you will then decide if you are going to accept the position. You can tell them that you need a day to decide and get back to them in a reasonable time. This is when to ask any important questions, like what will your salary be? What are the benefits you will receive, including health insurance and a 401k savings account?

Starting your first teaching job is not a walk in the park. There will be growing pains and you will have a lot of questions that you need to be answered. Do not be afraid to ask for help when you need it. It is a good idea to do your best to build a rapport with your students at the beginning of the year. This will help them to understand you and trust you and in turn, respect you in the classroom.