Did you know that over 15 million students attended high school in the United States from 2019 to 2020? If you are considering becoming a high school teacher but are not sure how to be a high school teacher, you are in the right place. We put together this short guide to share the ins and outs of how to become a high school teacher.
Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about becoming a high school teacher.
1. Prepare Before College
If you are still in high school you can actually start preparing to be a teacher. One way you can prepare is by joining a club for future teachers. If you are in the United States you can also join the Future Teachers of America while attending high school.
There are some high schools that also allow their students to be teacher assistants while they are going to school.
2. Bachelor’s Degree
When you enroll in college you want to choose a bachelor’s program in the subject that you are interested in teaching. Keep in mind that high school teachers need to have in-depth knowledge about a specific subject area. For example, you will have to enroll in Biology or English rather than a general education degree.
General education degrees are meant for elementary school teachers because they are required to just have general knowledge in all subjects. There are some universities that offer a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with an emphasis on the specific subject area you are interested in.
3. Teacher Prep Program
While you are earning your bachelor’s degree you want to also enroll in a teacher preparation program. Certain states will allow you to complete the Teacher Preparation Program as part of their degree program rather than something separate.
This program will take between 1 to 2 years to complete. Make sure to get familiar with the requirements for the state you want to teach in. If you are attending school in a different state than where you plan on teaching after you graduate then you have to talk to your academic advisor to ensure that you have all of your education bases covered.
4. Internship
Part of the Teacher Preparation Program is an internship. This is where you will have the opportunity to work alongside a teacher that is already accomplished. You will be able to see how they plan their lessons, conduct classes, and manage their classroom.
The internship length will vary based on the requirements your school has. There are some schools that require a year and other schools that only require a semester. During your internship, you want to soak it all in as much as possible by asking plenty of questions and trying things out on your own when possible.
5. Alternative Certification Programs
For those that already have a bachelor’s degree in something else but are now looking to change career paths, you can enroll in an Alternative Certification Program (ACP). One of the great things about ACP is that you can earn money as soon as you enter the classroom and the program is usually faster than a Teacher Preparation Program because it is accelerated education.
During your ACP you will work under a mentor teacher while you complete educational courses. You are allowed to teach under a probationary certificate for up to two years while you are enrolled in an ACP as long as you are actively working towards your certification. Keep in mind that you will need to have a school sponsor this temp certification.
6. Certifications Tests
Although every state has its own testing you can expect to have to pass a content area test along with an exam. This will show that you know how to teach properly. The state and schools you apply to will look for this to make sure that you indeed have the skills and knowledge to teach students in your subject.
You can visit your state’s education agency to see if they provide free test-prep supplies. Even though most tests are open throughout the entire year, depending on where you live there might be a limited offering.
7. Teaching License
No matter what state you are going to teach in, every state in the United States requires a license in order to teach. Double-check your state’s education agency to see the exact requirements to apply and attain your teaching license.
There are going to be fees in order to receive your teaching license. In some cases, your Teacher Preparation Program or your ACP will assist you in applying for your license.
8. Practice, Practice, Practice
Once you complete all of your education and pass all of the exams that are required by your state, it is time to put your newfound knowledge to work. You can apply for teacher jobs right away or you can become a substitute teacher if you want to just get your feet wet.
If you are ready to dive into your subject of choice you can apply directly for a position teaching your passion. For example, if you are planning on teaching about liberal arts you can find several liberal arts jobs here.
Ready to Become a High School Teacher?
We hope that now that you learned how to become a high school teacher you are feeling better prepared to get this journey started. Opting for a high school teacher career path can be a very rewarding choice because of the impact you can have on these teenage minds.
If this blog post helped you out today please feel free to keep browsing the rest of this section for more educational tips and advice.