Teaching 101
Many people aspire to become teachers. Some like to choose this profession because of its ability to give back to the community—others just like the feel of the job. However, there are many things to consider when getting into the field. This can range from checking about TEFL certificate courses to meeting with teaching boards.
There are many levels of teaching. These can start from early childhood education and go up to postgraduate levels. One should try to decide on which group they prefer to specialise in as early as possible. Lower levels are more manageable as the curriculum is broad and shallow. However, other areas like special education might require additional training. The lower classes also expect a single teacher to handle a range of subjects. This is not the case in higher levels as there is more specialisation required. Here is are some frequently asked questions on teaching.
How long should one study to teach?
The amount of time it takes to obtain the education required for teaching varies drastically. The level of instruction they are trying for is the main factor that determines this. In general, a minimum of four years is required to finish a college degree and obtain other certifications. Other accreditations like TEFL certificate courses might also be necessary in some cases.
Which degree is better to pursue teaching?
Teaching requires a bachelors degree at the bare minimum. If one intends to teach elementary school, majoring in elementary education is recommended. For teaching older school students, one can major in the subject that they wish to teach. One should keep in mind that the pay scale varies depending on the level of teaching. As the effort required is less, so will be the pay.
What to do after getting a degree?
In most cases, a teaching certification would be required to start teaching. Preparation programs for these certifications can also be found. These programs guide aspiring teachers through the process with ease. Once one gets a teaching certification, one can start gaining experience. This is often done by taking classes under the supervision of another teacher. This kind of experience is required in many cases.
Where to find jobs?
General job search engines are the simplest way of going about this. Just googling for jobs can bring a lot of results. Additionally, there are job boards that interact with the specific audience that they need. Education also has a lot of such committees. Another way is to look up the website of particular schools and search for requirements. While it is way more complicated to do than search for jobs on common platforms, it is way more efficient. The school district page is a great place to start if one is confused about schools. This page will help in getting familiarized with the schools located in that area. In some cases, this page may also contain job listings.
How to ace teaching interviews?
Teaching interviews are similar to other discussions in only one aspect – questions will be asked. However, one is expected to answer more specific questions that demonstrate their knowledge in the subject they wish to teach. One should also express any queries and turn the process into a conversation rather than an interrogation. Sending a thank, you letter after the interview can also be helpful.
Teaching is a profession that can influence a lot of people. One should always try and use this to bring a positive change.
Author Bio: Alison Lurie is a farmer of words in the field of creativity. She is an experienced independent content writer with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry. She is a multi-niche content chef who loves cooking new things.
