The field of education is constantly evolving, and it’s crucial to keep up with the latest advancements. Becoming a certified teacher can help you become an expert in your subject matter. It will also give you credibility when interacting with other educators and students. If you’re considering becoming a certified teacher, follow these five steps:
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Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
- Earn a bachelor’s degree. You’ll need to earn at least a bachelor’s degree to become a teacher. You can choose from several fields of study, but education is the most common. To prepare you for the teaching profession by providing knowledge about how children learn and grow through school. It also allows you to gain experience outside the classroom by working on an internship or participating in an internship program.
- Many states require that teachers have certification before they are allowed to teach in public schools. However, some private schools do not require it if you’re only planning on working there part-time or as summer staff or substitute teachers (which is good for someone just starting because it allows them to get their feet wet without having too much pressure). Each state has different requirements, so check with yours before applying elsewhere. They might even offer incentives like scholarships if they know that this is what’s keeping most people from being able to afford to go back after graduation.
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Complete an Approved Teacher Preparation Program
The next step is to identify an approved teacher preparation program. Many states and school districts have identification numbers that show which university or institution they have agreed to for teacher training programs. You can use this information to find out what kind of education you may need for your desired position as an educator. Some programs will typically require you to complete coursework in certain areas like language arts or history before applying for certification. Make sure you understand how long it will take for each program before signing up so that there are no surprises down the road.
Most universities offer their version of this process through their website with helpful links directing students towards important documents such as application requirements;
- Deadlines
- Entrance exam information
- Financial aid counseling sessions
- Transcripts from other schools attended with dual enrollment credits earned while still attending high school (this includes AP courses taken while still enrolled at another institution), etc.
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Get a Teaching Certificate or License
Certification is becoming eligible to teach in your state, often requiring a bachelor’s degree. And passing scores on standardized tests like the Praxis II: Elementary Education test. Licensure is becoming licensed to teach in a specific state, which requires you to obtain your certification first. (Usually through an accredited university).
- Register with your state’s education department.
In most states, teachers must register with their state departments of education before they can start working as teachers or substitute teachers at public schools.
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Gain Your First Year of Classroom Experience
Your fourth step is to gain your first year of classroom experience. This is a critical step because it will allow you to practice your skills while developing your confidence. You understand that teaching is a profession that requires ongoing professional development.
Gaining experience in public, private, and parochial schools is important. Grade levels required are elementary, middle, and high school. Subject areas (math, science, history) and cultural settings can be either urban or rural. Your goal should be to get as much varied classroom experience as possible before returning for your master’s degree program.
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Earn certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is an independent, non-profit organization that administers voluntary certification for teachers in the United States. Becoming a certified teacher through NBPTS includes preparation, candidacy, and certification. To become eligible for national board certified teacher, you must teach full-time as an educator. You also must demonstrate professional competence in your field of study using one or more of the nine standards in classroom practice.
Conclusion
Being a certified teacher is rewarding and challenging; you’ll need to be prepared to work hard and put in the time and effort. Since it’s also an investment in your future, it’s important to ensure you do everything possible to become one. You will surely be on your way if you follow these five steps!
