Pursuing a Career in Teaching

The education sector is one of the most resilient sectors during economic downturns. It’s because of this that many individuals are thinking of pursuing a career in education – particularly a career in teaching.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in teaching, here are some things to consider:

1) Consider the age group – Different age groups require different teaching styles.  If you want first-hand experience on how to interact with people in the age group you’d like to teach, consider participating in volunteer tutoring programs such as America Reads, Everybody Wins – Power Lunch and Learning Leaders, to name a few.

2) Sharpen your communication skills - Knowing how to communicate effectively is vital in any teaching job. Make sure you adapt to whichever age group you’d like to teach. Remember, communicating to a group of high school students is a totally different challenge from connecting with playful toddlers.

3) Get the proper credentials – States have specific licensing requirements, like holding at least a bachelor’s degree. Depending on what level your teaching job is, you may also be required to have a Master’s degree in education, a degree in the subject area you wish to teach, plus fulfill accredited student teaching practicum programs and pass a state test or Praxis exam.

4) Choose an Accredited Program – In order to gain the credentials you need, you must first choose a teaching degree program. It’s important that the program you choose be accredited by the state and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC). Their accreditation will carry weight when you pursue your teaching job.

Register now for more information on programs you need to become a teacher, plus job openings and other valuable career information.