The Schooling Required to Become a Secondary Teacher
The profession of secondary, or high school teacher, is rewarding. Secondary teachers do more than just teach their subject. A good high school teacher guides teenagers through what are, potentially, the most emotional and difficult times of their young lives. Secondary teachers need to be knowledgeable, both in their chosen field, and about teaching methods. For that reason, secondary teachers need a bachelor's degree in the subject they wish to teach, along with a teaching degree or certificate. In addition, all states have student teaching and Teacher's Competency Examination requirements.
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High School
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To become a secondary teacher, you must either complete high school or earn your General Eduction Diploma, also known as G.E.D. This is because all colleges, whether four-year universities, or two-year community colleges, require high school or G.E.D to pursue a bachelor's degree, or, in the case of a two-year school, a transfer program.
High school students who wish to pursue a secondary teaching career should take classes in math, science, English, a foreign language and history. Many colleges have specific course requirements, so be sure to check the catalog of the school you wish to attend, or talk to your high school adviser.
Bachelor's Degree
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According to Braintrack College and University Directory, there are two paths to gaining credentials as a secondary teacher.
The first track requires you major in Education. For this major, you will spend your freshman and part of your sophomore year taking English, science, history, and math classes, also called general education classes. Most colleges require you to apply to be an education major sometime during your sophomore year. If you are accepted to the program, you will spend the rest of your undergraduate years taking classes such as the psychology of learning, philosophy of education and teaching methods. At this time, you will also take classes in your desired specialty; that is, the subject you wish to teach. You'll also be required to take computer classes to be certain your computer skills are up to industry standards.
When you graduate from this track, you will have you B.A in Education, and, in most cases, a Teaching Certificate.
The second path to secondary teaching is to obtain a bachelor's degree in another subject, and then take a one-year development program to earn your teacher's certificate. This option works well for adults who may already have a bachelor's degree in, English for example.
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Student Teaching
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If you major in Education, you will complete all required student teaching while you are attending college. People taking the professional development teaching programs will gain their state-required student teaching time while taking part in that program. Student teachers assist qualified teachers in the daily operations of a classroom. Student teaching is designed to give the future classroom teacher hands-on experience under the guidance and supervision of a certified teacher.
Teacher Competency Testing
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Every state requires potential teachers to pass some sort of competency test to earn a teaching license. TeacherWorld.com, suggests the Praxis exam is a common one. Again, requirements vary depending on the state in which you plan to teach.
Teacher's Certificate
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If you already have a bachelor's degree with no teaching certificate, you will need to attend one of the many professional development programs that focus on teaching the art of education. Each state has its own requirements, so you'll need to check the guidelines for your state.
Wherever you live, there are two agencies which oversee teaching programs throughout the United States. These are the Teacher Education Accreditation Counsel and the National Counsel for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
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References
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