So You Want To Be a Teacher?
WHAT DO TEACHERS DO?
Teach Classes
Prepare Lessons
Grade papers
Meet with parents
Attend school meetings
If Secondary--Be prepared to teach in at least two subject areas
WHAT ARE WORKING CONDITIONS LIKE?
10 month schedule (some states have a 12 month schedule)
Salary levels are rising
Many teachers are granted tenure (job protection) after 3 years
Many teachers belong to teacher unions
Class sizes vary
Be prepared to work with diverse cultures and students with disabilities
WHAT ACADEMIC PREPARATION IS NEEDED?
All states require a bachelor's degree
Guidance Counselors can help with college admissions
Student Teaching is usually required
State requirements for certification are coordinated with teacher education requirements
DO I TAKE COURSES AFTER I RECEIVE MY TEACHING CREDENTIAL?
Many states require a masters degree, which requires at least 1 year of course work in a particular subject area
IS ADMISSION TO A TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM AUTOMATIC WHEN ADMITTED
TO COLLEGE?
Usually, you have to wait until your junior year
Entrance requires personal interviews, two years of Arts and Science courses, a minimum GPA, and tests
If you attend a 2-year college, check the requirements of the 4-year transfer school to make sure they will be accepted
for credit
WHAT COURSES ARE TAKEN IN A TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM?
Education courses
History
Psychology
Methods
Teaching a specific subject area
Student teaching
HOW DO I FIND TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS?
"Barron's Index to College Majors" (Barron's Educational Series)
"The College Blue Book, Degrees Offered by College and Subject" (Macmillan and Co.)
"Index of Majors" (College Entrance Examination Board)
"Peterson's Guides." The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) publishes an annual list of
accredited schools, colleges, and departments of education. For high school students, consulting with a guidance
counselor is also helpful.
HOW DO I CHOOSE A TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM?
Setting of college
Size of the program
Check accreditation
Talk to teachers in the area
WHERE CAN I OBTAIN FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION?
Every college or university has a financial aid office that can be contacted for assistance
Federal programs--call 1-800-433-3243 or write to Federal Student Aid Programs, DEA-85, Pueblo, Colorado
81009.
State assistance--contact the state scholarship agency in the capital city
"Scholarships Fellowships & Loans" (Gale) for private scholarship programs
"Peterson's Annual College Money Handbook: A Guide to College Costs and Financial Aid"
"The College Cost Book" (College Entrance Examination Board)
WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ON VARIOUS STATE REQUIREMENTS?
The state's education department or licensing office.
Ask for "Requirements for Certification," an annual publication of the University of Chicago Press.
The "Manual on Certification and Preparation of Educational Personnel in the United States"
Published by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC).
WHAT IS THE DEMAND FOR TEACHERS?
Greater demand for secondary teachers in the areas of mathematics, science, special education, and English as a second
language.
There is also an overall need for more minority teachers
Shortages of teachers may occur in rural and urban schools
ERIC Identifier: ED344872
Publication Date: 1992-05-00
Source: Adapted from ERIC Clearinghouse on Teacher Education Washington DC.,
by Marcia M. Burrell (Burrell@oswego.edu)
SUNY Oswego, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Liberty Partnerships Career Day at Central Square Schools