How to Become a Guidance Teacher

Guidance teachers (or guidance counselors) work with students of all ages on a variety of issues. Sometimes they participate in the scheduling process, other times they counsel students who are going through difficult times. Every day is unique when you work in a school guidance office, but every day brings a chance to change lives. If you're interested in a career in guidance counseling, read on to find out how to pursue this job.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Get the proper education. A bachelor's degree is an absolute requirement. Look for a college that offers a degree program in counseling or education. Once you complete your degree, you will be able to start working as a guidance teacher in some states. For others, you will need to continue following the steps below.

2. Earn a master's degree. Degrees in school counseling or educational psychology work best. Some states require a master's degree up front; in other states, you will need one eventually to progress in your career and receive salary increases.

3. Get state licensure. Some states will require you to be a licensed teacher and a licensed guidance teacher; for other states, a guidance counseling license will suffice. You will earn your license by completing college courses and passing standardized examinations, such as the Praxis series.

4. Work as a teacher for a few years. This step is optional in some states, but mandatory in others. Though guidance teahers have different job responsibilities than teachers have, sometimes being a teacher is a prerequisite for applying for guidance teaching positions.

5. Begin practicing. Apply for jobs working with students in an age group you want to work with. Elementary school guidance teachers will work with class placement and personal issues; high school guidance teachers often find that course scheduling and college application processes take up most of their time. Middle school guidance teachers should wear protective gear to work every day (not really, but you get the picture---it's a tough job). You may want to experiment by working in a variety of environments before you find your niche.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure this is the job for you. For every reward will be at least one challenge, so only those with real commitment should become guidance teachers.
• Make sure you follow your state's guidelines. You wouldn't want to get the wrong degree or license.

References

• The Princeton Review; "Guidance Counselor"
• Education Portal; "How to Become a High School Guidance Counselor"

Who Can Help Sponsored

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