How To Become a Teacher

Before you learn how to become a teacher, it’s essential to understand what it means to be a teacher.

A teacher is an educator who guides and inspires students. They may specialize in a specific topic, such as math or physical education, or in a particular range of age, such as early (elementary school-aged) education.

A teacher is responsible for diverse responsibilities, including lesson planning, developing curricula, proctoring exams, one-on-one attention to students when needed, grading and assessing coursework, and even extracurricular tasks such as hosting parent-teacher conferences and chaperoning after-school activities. Teachers are responsible for fostering a positive student environment regardless of their day-to-day tasks.

You may have heard many say that teachers have demanding jobs. While this isn’t untrue – most careers have their difficulties. Don’t let this myth stop you from becoming a teacher. Every job has its ups and downs, and teaching is no different.

Many outside of the education space have misconceptions about the challenges of teaching, such as thinking students are difficult to manage, teachers get paid very little, or teachers work overtime every day. While some of these ideas about teaching can certainly be true at times, they aren’t always true for every teacher unanimously.

Teachers dedicate their hearts and souls to their jobs; students’ needs always come first! However, the rewarding aspects, such as seeing students excited to learn, positively impact both children and teachers alike. Because of this, teaching can be highly fulfilling for those who enjoy helping others, teaching others and improving lives.

Learning how to become a teacher begins with education – imagine that! Teaching in a traditional school does require a degree.

Educational Background

To become a teacher, all states require teachers to have at least a bachelor’s degree, and some even require a degree in elementary (or early childhood) education for those interested in becoming an elementary school or kindergarten teacher. If you’re sure you want to teach elementary school as you apply to college, it’s wise to explore a bachelor’s degree in education.

Teachers also have the option to explore alternative degree paths, such as obtaining a degree in the subject they want to teach and then pursuing a teaching certificate. Some school systems prefer their teachers to hold a degree in their particular subject (such as math or special education).

Specialized Education Degrees

Many universities offer a bachelor’s degree in early education. Early education primarily covers educators who wish to teach at the preschool or kindergarten level but may also include elementary education for students in K-5th grade. This specialized degree program is important in its early-age focus, as students in these age groups require a completely different type of education support, such as social and cognitive development, motor skills and speech.

For those who wish to work with older students, a specialized degree in secondary education is geared toward teaching middle and high school students. In these degree programs, you may explore more specialized subjects such as English, math, biology and other specific subjects rather than general education skills.

Most education students will learn how to become a teacher within a general four-year bachelor’s program. However, many states require additional time to obtain certification as a teacher.

Duration of Degree Programs

To become a teacher, earning a bachelor’s degree in education typically takes four years of full-time college education. However, some accelerated programs exist to shorten the time frame and get you in a classroom even quicker.

Certification Process

Obtaining teacher certification takes an additional year, though this is typically done in the first year as a teacher while receiving your full salary and benefits. Depending on the state you teach in, requirements and timelines may differ.

However, teacher certification in South Carolina requires an application complete with fingerprinting and criminal history review, transcript review from an accredited college, program or university, verification of teacher experience (student teaching) and (if you choose to do so) proof of requirements needed to earn specific certifications, such as those required to practice as a school psychologist. You will also need to pass certain teaching exams and projects to become certified, and many of these exams and projects are facilitated during education programs and student teaching opportunities.

Beyond exams and coursework completed in a bachelor’s degree, becoming a teacher also requires work in the field, also known as student teaching, and certification exams before becoming a certified teacher.

Fieldwork and Student Teaching

Student teaching, like internships for professional degrees, is vital for students to gain real-world experience in a classroom. While coursework and learning from book studies are important to build the foundation needed to become a good teacher, working with students directly helps you become a great teacher. This is why fieldwork and student teaching are required to become a certified teacher.

Through student teaching, teachers-in-training will have the opportunity to earn valuable feedback under the supervision of experienced educators. This unique mentorship relationship is invaluable for first-year teachers and beyond. Many student teachers find this period in their education the most beneficial for success in the rest of their careers.

Certification Exams

Before becoming an officially certified teacher, you must pass a standardized certification test in your state. These exams allow you to prove your qualifications, skills and knowledge as an educator.

The most common tests used in the teaching certification process include:

• The National Evaluation Series (NES)
• The Praxis Series

Preparing for these exams is much like preparing for the SAT or ACT. Look for test preparation materials, such as practice exams and study guides provided by the test administrators. Plan to stick to a strict studying schedule before each exam so that you feel comfortable and collected on the test day. There’s no room for procrastination here!

Now that you’ve learned how to become a teacher, you should evaluate the different career paths available, whether you choose to specialize in a certain subject or explore certain types of schools.

Choosing a Specialization

If you plan to become an early-education teacher, you’ll likely need to choose a specialization involving a specific grade level. On the other hand, if you plan to become a secondary education teacher, you may select a specific subject area to specialize in. It’s important to evaluate the different subjects to choose the one that fits your interests and passions, and you may need to explore fieldwork in a few different subjects to find the one that excites you the most.

As you become a teacher, you’ll find many ways to grow in your career. Opportunities, such as becoming a department head, pursuing administrative roles or becoming an athletics coach, may present themselves as you explore your education passions. While higher-level administrators, such as Principals, require further education, you may find opportunities to earn more money while taking on extracurricular responsibilities.

Job Settings and Opportunities

Teachers can choose from public schools, private schools or even alternative settings. Public and private schools offer traditional opportunities, such as grade-level and subject-level teaching roles and administrative and coaching opportunities. Private schools may have more flexibility for non-specialized or un-certified teachers to explore new subjects or administrative duties.

Similarly, alternative settings, such as homeschooling or teaching in highly specialized schools for students whose needs are not met in a traditional school, exist for those with educational backgrounds. Tutoring, test prep, and coaching are opportunities outside of schools for teachers looking for a non-traditional work setting.

Those seeking information on how to become a teacher will find their state license and certification websites as a great starting point for requirements checklists and education information. It’s essential to evaluate the type of teacher you wish to be (for example, early childhood or subject-specific) to find the best bachelor’s degree program.

Those who become teachers are often inspired to dedicate their lives to teaching because they have specific passions in life. We encourage prospective students to evaluate what subjects or types of students are most meaningful to them as a way to select a specialization. 

No matter what you choose, rest assured, knowing you will have a fulfilling career impacting the lives of so many different students every school year. We encourage you to think about your most positive experiences with past educators and use them as inspiration as you move toward your educational journey. What skills or personality traits did they possess to help them become so successful? Use these experiences to create the best experiences for your future students.