Causecast

by SARAH NELSON, Contributing Writer

A golden apple that read, “Change A Life, Become a Teacher” once sat on my mother’s desk. My mom has been working with prepubescent junior high school students since as far back as I can remember. Why she chose to work with possibly the most awkward age group I may never know, but all things considered, she is an amazing teacher. After twenty-seven years of educating others, she still loves it. Why? Because she knows she has had a positive impact on her students and will continue to change lives. Teachers are responsible for awakening passion for knowledge in their students and helping them unlock their potential. My mom’s students have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, ministers, civil servants, activists and surprisingly, a great deal went on to become teachers themselves.

When we were growing up, it was my little brother who professed he wanted to become a teacher and I, on the other hand, swore I would never teach. It’s too much work. The pay is terrible. Plus, I was a student. I remember how people like myself made life more ‘colorful’ for our teachers, not to mention the poor substitutes who braved our hallways.

So, in true Sarah Nelson form (I tend to do a lot of things I say I’ll never do), I decided to take on a new venture in life and joined the ranks of “educators.” In my recent adventure in molding young minds, I learned a few things about what it takes to be a teacher. I was able to learn how much effort goes into making an impact that goes beyond the classroom.

Step One: If You’re Uncertain, Try Substitute Teaching First

You would never buy a car without taking it for a test drive first, right? And you would never commit your life to a career that you weren’t sure you were interested in. Substitute teaching gives you the opportunity to teach for a short period of time to make some extra money or decide if teaching is really for you. Like standard teaching requirements, substituting has requirements of its own. Most states require that you have a bachelor’s degree, while some states and districts have additional requirements.

• Contact the school district you want to substitute in for specific requirements.

• Specify what grades/subjects you want to teach or be open to teaching whichever class or subject is available.

• Make friends with the teachers you sub for. Many school districts will allow teachers to request a person to fill in for them while they are away. If you build relationships with teachers, you could secure more regular subbing opportunities.

Step Two: Pick The Subject You Want To Teach

If you’ve decided this is the career for you, start by picking the subject or subjects you are interested in teaching.

However ironic, I was a business major in college who was terrible at math. However, I am a writer; a bit of a news junkie with a full assortment of random information that would make me an ideal Jeopardy! contestant. So I decided to teach United States Government and Economics. Many of my former students, most of which are now attending college, still keep in contact with me and tell me how much they miss my class because I made school enjoyable for them. Granted, they whined at my reading quizzes and hated listening to my lectures, in the end they agreed that my class better prepared them for college.

• Teach something you are passionate about. Think about the age group that you want to work with; whether you want to teach a single subject or multiple subjects as grade levels differ in class structure.

• Work with an age group that interests you. If you have memory lapses or get hives when you see eight-year olds, encompassed by irregularly large backpacks, as they walk to school – third grade probably isn’t an ideal fit.

• Consider going back to school to brush up on your skills. Audit a class at your local community college or see if your alma mater offers free auditing for alumni.

Step Three: Find Out What The Requirements Are

Each state, and even different school districts, will have specific requirements needed in order to land a teaching job. Also, the requirements will vary between private and public schools, by state and even county.

To teach a high school level class in a public school in California requires:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited, four-year College or University.

• Successful completion of the CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test).

• Competency in the subject you choose to teach (CSET).

• Completion of a U.S. Constitution Course.

• Proof of English proficiency.

• Completion of the Professional Teacher’s Induction Program.

• Board certification – requires three full years of teaching experience.

There is also this great thing called “reciprocity”. If you are certified and credentialed in one state it is likely, that with some paper work and maybe a few extra requirements, other states will recognize your teaching credentials.

Private schools will often allow a person to teach without credentials or teach while they work to obtain the appropriate credentials. Many private schools will even assist their teachers in obtaining the necessary certification required from the accreditation association. The ACSI, for example, is the accreditation provider for many private Christian schools around the world. In similar fashion, WCEA accredits Catholic schools in the western region of the United States.

Still with me? It sounds daunting, but rest assured, most university teaching programs are set up to assist future teachers in navigating the system and successfully landing a career in teaching.

Step Four: Find A School District That Is Hiring

The best way to find out if a school district is hiring is to ask them! Ask teachers. Ask parents. No one knows education like those that are currently invested in the educational system. If you aren’t exactly sure which subject you would want to teach, but know what you are passionate about, check out your state’s Deparment of Education website to see if there are subject fields or school districts that are experiencing a shortage. If you are interested in teaching math or science, you might have a better chance of being hired quickly because, let’s face it, few people are qualified to teach calculus.

Step Five: Consider Teaching Abroad

If you are a bit of an adventurer, there is no better way to get started on your teaching career than to teach internationally. Most exchange programs may only require that you have a bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited college and depending on where you go, some experience with a foreign language. The Council of International Educational Exchange provides ten-month teaching opportunities to teach English as a second language in Chile, China, South Korea, Spain and Thailand. With a little research, you may find different opportunities in all corners of the world. You can fill your passport and gain great experience at the same time!

Step Six: Keep Learning

Information is more available today than ever before. Here are ways to keep learning:

• Attach yourself to an experienced teacher who can be your mentor.

• Take advantage of the resources available to you. Workshops. Videos. Books. Most schools will give you a budget for resource building.

• The internet is your friend. There are thousands of resources available online. A great resource that I use often is PBS Teachers, which provides ideas, support, development and a community of teachers from every grade level.

• Just as you will be teaching your students, remember that they will have a lot to teach you as well.

I had a student during my first year of teaching that was absolutely brilliant, and he knew it. I was warned about him long before I ever had him in my own classroom. Instead of becoming intimidated by his intellectual prowess, I made it a point to engage him. I let him question, I let him talk, I let him form his own opinions. I let him discuss with civility. The most significant moments of learning in my classroom have come from the moments when my students were engaged and felt confident that their teacher was learning from them as well. I know that I am a better teacher because I allow myself to be challenged by my students.

For more information on teaching requirements as they vary by state, visit the U.S. Department of Education state directory.

Now go out and educate!

Photo by Editor B, flickr.