By Amber Harris
I wanted to bring your attention to a valuable guide created by American University that examines the need for teachers and the various career options offered in the U.S. education system.
You can be any type of teacher you want—preschool, elementary, middle, high school, higher education in a collegiate atmosphere, teaching children with special needs, or even running an online course for students who are earning their degrees remotely.
In any case, there are several steps necessary to take in order to become a teacher.
1. Earn an Undergraduate Degree
K-12 public school teachers need to have at least a bachelor’s degree, specifically in early childhood education, elementary education, or secondary education. Some schools require K-6 teachers to major in a content area, such as social science or math. It’s also common for high schools to prefer that their teachers have earned a degree in a particular subject area.
2. Get Experience in a Classroom
Equally as important as an undergraduate degree is hands-on experience in the classroom. This can be done during undergraduate studies, through an internship at a school, or during the time in between graduation and starting full-time employment.
3. Earn Your Certification or License
Whether you plan to teach in public or private school, it is generally recommended that all teachers obtain the appropriate license or certification of their respective states so that they will not be limited in their employment options.
4. Further Your Education
While a master’s degree is not necessary in most places to become a teacher, this degree brings major benefits no matter where you are or what you want to teach. A doctoral degree is the goal for those who desire to enter the highest administration levels of education, such as school superintendent, or a professor of higher education.
Check out the resource guide to learn more about the growing demand for teachers in the next decade, popular teaching degrees, and higher education options.
You can access the full step-by-step guide for free at this link: