TEACHING IS A GIFT, NOT A JOB!

Resources for Learning How to Become a Teacher

If you love kids and the way they see the world through new eyes, then becoming a teacher can be a great career path. There’s nothing to keep you on your toes like working with little ones all day.
Unfortunately, after that initial inspiration, it can sometimes be frustrating to try and figure out exactly what you need to do to enter a teaching role. After all, each state sets their own requirements, and many have their own unique alternative certification routes. With this in mind, we've gathered together these excellent resources for learning about the different paths to teaching, depending on where you live.

• Government Websites: For those in the U.S., federal government websites are an excellent place to start. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has a good overview of the teaching career for kindergarten and elementary school teachers, middle school teachers, and high school teachers, including general requirements and job outlooks for different types of teachers. The U.S. Department of Education also has a great page with links to teacher certification information.
• Your State’s Teaching Board: While federal sites can give you a good idea of the general requirements, more specific information will be available from your state’s teaching board. This is the board that is responsible for administering teaching
  licenses in your state, so they definitely have the scoop on the ins and outs of certification that pertain to where you live. Many state board pages list the colleges with credentialing programs in your state, as well as financial aid available to education
  students.
• Other Web Resources: Besides government sites that can spell out the steps to a teaching career, it might make sense for you to explore other web resources that discuss what it’s actually like to teach. If you’ve asked yourself “is teaching right for me?” then it certainly makes sense to explore the lifestyle and trials of teaching before you jump into an educational program.
• Understanding the Different Routes: Besides the standard route of earning a teaching credential at a college or university, many states offer alternative certification programs. These programs vary by state, but most allow students with the right background to get into the classroom faster, after an intensive training program.
• Talk to a Teacher!: Of course, the best way to get the inside scoop on teaching is to talk to a real live teacher. Talk to one of your kids’ teachers or consider emailing a local school for information.