Introduction
Teaching kids can be one of the most rewarding careers a person can have. You will spend your days shaping young minds and teaching children how to become successful, happy adults. Some view teaching as an easy job, but for a good teacher, it is anything but easy. It requires dedication, patience, hard work and most of the time, teaching does offer many financial benefits. If you think teaching kids is the job for you, here is some information on how to get started.
Step 1
First, you will need to be sure you are making the right job choice for your life. You most likely won't become rich by becoming a teacher, and teaching can be a very stressful job. Talk to other teachers you know or find out if you can shadow a teacher at a local elementary school for a day. Get a job in a daycare center, coaching a kids' sports team, substitute teaching or working as a camp counselor. Not only will this be excellent experience you can add to your resume if you choose to continue down the path to a teaching job, but it will allow you to spend time with children in a structured setting.
Step 2
Once you have decided you are ready to become a teacher, you must enroll in a four year university program. Most school districts will require you to have a Bachelor's Degree in early childhood education or special education. Once you are accepted and begin attending classes, you will start by completing a core curriculum. As you finish up the core classes, you will begin taking classes on everything from child development to classroom practices. During this time, you will most likely become a student teacher for a period of time, which means going into a regular classroom and teaching lessons while an experienced teacher monitors and guides you. You may also be required to maintain a specific grade point average throughout your college career.
Step 3
If you plan to teach in the United States, certification requirements vary from state to state. Most state requirements are handled while you are in college getting your Bachelor's Degree. You may find that once you have graduated, there are other requirements for getting certified for a teaching job. Check with your state's education department to find out if you have successfully met all requirements.
Step 4
Most states will also require those seeking a job teaching kids to take and pass an exam before they can get to work. In most states, this test is called the PRAXIS exam, but again, this can vary depending on where you live. Your school's education department should be happy to help you figure out when and where to take the right exam.
Step 5
Finally, once you have successfully completed your training and certification, you will need to begin applying for a teaching job. This can be like applying for any other type of job. You will need a neat, organized resume that highlights your education, experience and anything else that makes you qualified to become a teacher. You will also need to attend job interviews at various schools. Sometimes, finding a teaching job can be difficult, so you may need to consider applying in areas beyond your local school district.
Tips
If you know you will be looking for a teaching job in the future, a little networking never hurts anyone. If you know teachers who work at schools where you would like to teach, get to know them and find out if they have any tips for getting an interview. While you do your student teaching or if you spend any time substitute teaching in a local school district, get to know the teachers, staff and administration at the school. If they know you work hard and do a good job, this can also lead to landing a teaching job as soon as you are certified.
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