Those college and university students who want to pursue careers as teachers will be required to concentrate on teaching courses. While the specific teaching courses they take may differ from college to college, all of the teaching courses will fit into a few broader categories.
Elementary and Secondary Teaching Courses
If you are interested in becoming an elementary school teacher you will have to either major or minor in education with a preponderance of teaching courses to get your bachelor's Degree. If you get a bachelor's Degree in some other field, you can still qualify for a teaching career by getting taking several post-graduate level teaching courses and getting your a Master's Degree in Education.
If you intend to teach on the secondary level, you will have to narrow your focus and get a Bachelor's Degree in the area on which you wish to concentrate--math, history, English, political science, art--any field for which you have a passion and which you would be happy devoting your life to teaching. You'll supplement the coursework you do in that specific field with teaching courses and student teaching to prepare you for getting your teaching credential when you graduate.
You can also major in something unrelated to education, and then go for a year of teaching courses in a post-graduate program. You will then have the choice of looking for a career in your chosen field, and if it does not pan out, have a teaching certificate to fall back on.
Alternative Route Teaching Courses
While all public schools in the US, under the "No Child Left Behind" act, require their teachers to have Bachelor's Degrees, some states offer "alternative route" teaching certificates for those who begin one career and decide to switch to teaching.
These certificate programs will accept professional experience and college degree in areas other than education towards qualification for a teaching certificate, but most will also require you to take some teaching courses.
Once you have completed the teaching courses, you will take the state exams and participate in any mandatory student teaching or supervised teaching to get classroom experience. You can find out what teaching curses are necessary in your state by visiting its Department of Education website. For more info see http://www.teachingjobshelp.com on Teaching.
You may even be able to get academic credit for your work and life experiences in an education degree program which includes teaching courses and move from that to a teaching career. Check with the admissions programs at each college or university in which you are interested to find their policies on accepting work and life experience for credit.
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Activities to demonstrate
By: Karen Sanderson | 21-07-2008
What are some activities that demonstrate the Art and Science of teaching?
Definitive vocal pedagogy course?
By: tvric | 19-07-2008
Is there a definitive course/book for vocal pedagogy, (for self study)? With my trumpet it is the Arban's Book. I am older, trying to rekindle the neglected love of singing.
Best state to learn from good teaching
By: Lyne Blouin | 18-07-2008
What is the state with the highest level of teaching.
blacklisted from teaching
By: Junebug | 18-07-2008
How do I overcome being blacklisted from teaching in the county where I live? I can't move and anyway, any other district would ask for my last immediate supervisor. It's public school and on record. NO, I didn't do anything wrong except miss a lot of time because my husband almost died of diabetes complications. Also, there is agism going on as well. I applied to every position I was qualified for (K-8, counselor, media) and not one interview. I have proof she lied about me on paper but I don't have money for an attorney. Teacher unions are impotent. She tried to help but the laws are so weak. I met my academic goal, parents, kids loved me, etc. I don't have money for a lawyer. I've earned my masters and am a great teacher. It doesn't matter. If one says I'm lousy, no one else will touch me. That is how education really works. I was shocked when she let me go. I had no warning at all. Thank you for your helpful responses.
Philipino with degree in education seek teaching ...
By: patrick | 17-07-2008
philipino with degree in education seek teaching job in the u.s what does she need to do
Nc teacher certification
By: apick | 06-07-2008
In what year did North Carolina first require certification for teachers and what was required of those already teaching?
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