Have you always wanted to become a teacher but just don’t know where to start when it comes to getting your foot on the career ladder? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Unlike other job roles, teaching isn’t a profession you can or should enter into lightly. It is a vocation and you will become responsible for young people’s education and future endeavors. Nevertheless, it is a highly rewarding career that you’re likely to be a part of throughout your professional life. So, how do you become a teacher? In this guide, we’re going to look at the steps you’ll need to take to get into the field.
Enhance your skillset
All teachers need to have a basic skill set to succeed in the education sector. You’re likely to encounter situations you have never had to deal with before, which means polishing up on crucial skills to enable you to cope in a high-pressured and challenging environment. Some of the most common skills to take into consideration include:
- Leadership
- Organization
- Communication
- Empathy
- Teamwork
Being able to analyze and make use of data has always been a vital aspect of teaching, but thanks to the developments in technology, decisions can now be made quickly, based on past data, which cuts a great deal of stress and time out of a teacher’s daily responsibilities. FPU data-driven decision making course for teachers is a valuable option for teachers to earn professional development (PD) credits and be more aware of technological-driven teaching, which is becoming more common in the current day and age.
Earn a bachelor’s degree
All teachers need to be educated to at least degree level to become a qualified teacher. You can study a general teaching course, or there may even be the option to choose a specialty to meet curriculum requirements. If you plan on moving to a different state at some stage, ensure that your degree is accepted by the education board.
Consider tutoring
Teaching isn’t always classroom-based, there is also the option of being a self-employed tutor. In this case, you don’t necessarily need to have a degree education under your belt, but you’ll need to be qualified to a high level in a certain subject or teaching experience to become a tutor. Ensure you advertise honestly regarding your experience level and success of past students. You’ll also need to undergo a DBS check and have a basic understanding of how to manage a small business as a self-employed individual.
Work experience
Before getting into the teaching industry, you’ll most likely need to have some form of experience in the education sector before being accepted onto a course. This may involve helping out in your local school or even assisting in church or scout groups. Some institutions may be more in need of volunteers than others; therefore, writing a formal letter to each organization may stand you in good stead to get the work placement you need to move on to the next stage of your teaching journey.