The Beginner’s Guide on How to Become a Teacher

If you are interested in getting started in a teaching career, this guide will help you learn about the pros and cons of becoming a teacher and the steps you should take to become one. In all states in the US, you must be certified to work as a teacher in a public school. This page covers both the traditional route to teaching and the alternative route (for career switchers with a bachelor’s degree outside of education).

Table of Contents

• Is Teaching Right for You?
• Choosing a Teacher Prep Program
• Scholarships and Financial Aid
• Teaching Degree Program Curriculum
• Student Teaching
• Testing Requirements for Teachers
• Reciprocity for Out-of-State Teachers
• Adding Endorsements
• Alternative Teacher Certification
• Getting Hired as a Teacher
• Continuing Your Education With Graduate School

Deciding if Teaching Is Right for You

Teachers work with children or adults in learning settings including public or private schools, charter or magnet schools, schools in a foreign country, or schools for non-English speakers in the US or abroad. Elementary, middle, and high school teachers play an important role in shaping the lives and futures of children, instructing in academics such as language arts and math as well as personal skills such as communication, problem-solving, and self-discipline. Teachers must have an excellent grasp of their subject matter and the ability to effectively communicate their knowledge to others.

A teacher may teach all subjects or specialize in one or two subjects. Typically, kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct one group of children in a broad range of subjects, including reading, science, and math. Teachers of middle school and high school students generally concentrate on one or two specialty subject areas, such as math or science. Within these broader areas, a teacher might instruct multiple courses. For example, a high school teacher specializing in science might teach chemistry, biology, and physics classes. To teach in most specialties in a public K-12 school, a degree and state certification in that endorsement area is required.

Assess Your Interests and Talents

Teaching is a social job that involves constant interaction with others. Good teachers typically enjoy being around other people and interacting with them, especially young people.

Good teachers are also patient. If you lose your temper easily, a school setting may not be the right workplace for you. Teachers are flexible and good at quick decision-making. They should be able to adjust when things don’t go exactly as planned. Teachers must be strict to an extent and able to enforce rules, but they also need to pick their battles.

Most importantly of all, teachers care. They care about their students and student success. If you feel passionate about a particular content area or about learning in general and truly care about others, you have the potential to become a great teacher.

Volunteer in a School, Shadow a Teacher, or Become a Substitute Teacher

To fully understand the job and to decide if it is right for you, find a way to get into the classroom. Experienced teachers can tell you what their careers are like and that is an excellent place to start. If you are still interested, contact local schools to find out if you can volunteer or spend a day or more shadowing a teacher. As a volunteer, you can help out in a classroom as an assistant. While shadowing, you can visit different classrooms and grade levels to understand what different teachers do. Additionally, consider substitute teaching to introduce yourself to the teaching profession.

Make Practical Considerations

Now that you have examined the characteristics of a teacher and observed teachers in action, you should consider the practical aspects. Think about teacher salaries, the best schools with education degrees, teacher certification requirements, and the availability of teaching jobs in your target area before making a final decision about a teaching career. For expert advice from current teachers about what it is like to be a teacher and more, read our teacher career interviews.

Choosing a School With a Teacher Preparation Program

The first step to becoming a public K-12 teacher under the traditional route to certification is to obtain a bachelor’s degree that includes a teacher preparation program. Public school teachers also must be certified or licensed by their state board of education. Though not all private school teachers are required to be state-certified, they are subject to the specific hiring terms of individual employers, and most private schools prefer that teachers have at least a bachelor’s degree.

Understand Your Choices

It’s important to research the available preparation programs and identify the ones that best meet your needs. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s curriculum that includes a teacher preparation program. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you might consider a post-baccalaureate alternative route program for certification only or a master’s degree program that includes teacher preparation. A hybrid or online master’s degree program might also be a fit for your goals.

Whichever route you follow, be sure that the program you choose is appropriately accredited and includes both national certification from one of six entities recognized by the Department of Education plus voluntary education-specific accreditation from one of two organizations, the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) or the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).

The teacher preparation component of your program will count as credit toward your degree or certificate. Most teacher preparation programs at the bachelor’s level begin in the junior year, following the completion of general education requirements. Some schools require applicants to pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam to be admitted to the preparation program. Others accept ACT or SAT scores or require a minimum GPA for admission. At the master’s level, teacher preparation can begin as early as the first semester. At all levels, the teacher preparation component will include classroom instruction in teaching methods, teacher observation, and at least one semester of full-time student teaching under the supervision of an experienced teacher, which is discussed in further detail below. To enter a teaching program at a university or college, you must meet certain requirements that vary by program. The best way to fully understand what you must accomplish to become a teacher is to visit your state’s education department website.

Consider Practical Factors

To narrow your choices, consider logistical concerns such as cost and location. Calculate the total cost of tuition and other associated expenses, like room and board. If you choose a nearby school, you can save money by qualifying for in-state tuition and living locally instead of on campus. Consider whether or not you will be looking for scholarships, financial aid, or loans, and find out what each school offers.

Another important practical consideration is timing. Some schools offer accelerated programs to get you certified and into the workplace quickly. If you need to work at another job while pursuing your certification, look for a program that offers evening, weekend, or online coursework.

Speak With Graduates of the Program

Finally, once you have narrowed your choices to one or two programs, you should speak with graduates who can give you valuable insight about the program and the larger institution. Each school you are considering should be able to put you in touch with graduates. Be sure to ask about the instructors, the ease of being hired after graduation, and additional concerns.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Another important consideration when choosing a certification program is tuition. Begin by choosing a college or university with reasonable rates and look for scholarships and financial aid opportunities.

Scholarships

If you can qualify, scholarships are a great way to pay for your education. Unlike loans, they do not need to be paid back. Scholarships tend to be competitive, so be prepared to showcase your skills, awards, honors, and qualifications on your application. Check for scholarships at the local, state, and national levels.

The US Department of Education offers TEACH Grants to help students become teachers. These grants have a service obligation attached to them, so make sure you will be able to meet those conditions. Otherwise, your grant will turn into a loan. The requirements include teaching for at least four years in a high-need field. If you already know what subject you want to teach, you may want to look at a national organization in your field like the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), which awards one $10,000 scholarship each year.

Financial Aid and Loans

In addition to scholarship opportunities, you should consider financial aid options. Every college and university has a financial aid department. Make an appointment with an advisor at your school’s department. An advisor can guide you through the process of finding, applying for, receiving, and paying back loans and aid. You can always apply for a private loan, but government-backed student aid is usually a safer and more affordable choice.

To begin the financial aid process, you will first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will help you determine which grants and loans you qualify for. These include Pell Grants, which are given to undergraduate students, Perkins loans, which are low-interest federal loans, and PLUS loans, which you can use for graduate school.

There are also teacher loan forgiveness and cancellation programs, which may assist you with paying off your school loans. These programs are intended to encourage young people to enter the field of teaching, so take advantage of them if you can. There are certain eligibility requirements based on the type of aid you receive and how long you plan to teach, so read more on the Department of Education website to be sure you qualify for loan forgiveness.

Curriculum of a Teaching Degree Program

The curriculum of your teaching certification program will vary depending on the university or college that you attend. If you do not already have a bachelor’s degree you must select a major and possibly a minor area of study. You will take coursework related to those subjects and ones specific to education. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a teachable subject, you may only need to take the education courses. Most teaching programs will also require you to gain classroom experience as a student teacher. For more information on education programs, read our Best Colleges for Education Majors guide.

Choosing a Major and Minor

It is best to select a major and minor area of study aligned with the subjects you plan to teach. There are many majors to choose from that prepare you to teach a subject or student population, such as science and technology, mathematics, literacy, elementary education, or languages. There are also population-specific specialties that prepare individuals to work as gifted and talented teachers, special education teachers, adult and continuing education teachers, ESL teachers, or reading specialists. While these specialty majors are not as flexible as general majors like secondary education, they may lead to careers with higher salaries.

Most education programs limit the availability of major and minor choices to teachable subjects. For instance, chemistry is a teachable major because chemistry is a major subject taught in schools. You can teach other science-related courses with a chemistry major. A major in fashion design, on the other hand, may not be acceptable in a teacher preparation program, since that is not a subject typically taught in public schools. Some programs require you to choose a minor, which should also be in a teachable subject.

Much of your coursework will count towards your major and minor. If you are majoring in Spanish, for example, you will take numerous Spanish language and culture classes. You may also need to take certain electives required by your university. This could include a variety of courses to complete a liberal arts education such as humanities, social sciences, English, and math.

Education Coursework

In addition to courses related to your major and minor, you will take education classes to earn your teacher certification. The specific classes you need to take will depend on whether you are getting certified in elementary education, secondary education, special education, or another area. Regardless of the type of certification you are pursuing, there are certain types of education classes that every prospective teacher can expect to take:

• Child development or psychology: These courses will help you better understand the minds of children and teens and how they develop.
• Curriculum and instructional design: These courses will teach you how to develop and write curricula and lesson plans for your classes.
• Methods: Teaching methods courses focus on the practice of teaching or pedagogy, including how to explain and demonstrate concepts, how to lecture, and how to hold an effective discussion.
• Assessment: In courses on assessment practices, you will learn how to assess student learning by creating tests, using oral exams, designing projects, and other techniques.
• Special education: Even if you are not pursuing special education certification, you will likely be required to take some coursework in this area because all teachers must understand special education to some extent.
• Classroom experience: Most teacher certification programs require students to get classroom experience, also known as field experience or practicum, as they work towards their degree.

Student Teaching

The teacher preparation program culminates in a real-world teaching experience, known as student teaching, mentored teaching, clinical experience, or internship. This means that you work side-by-side with a classroom teacher to hone your skills, learn from a mentor, and practice being a real teacher before you get your own position at a school. Student teaching is often completed during the final year of study. You will need to accumulate a certain number of hours of classroom experience, which may also include volunteering in schools or tutoring programs, observing classroom teachers, and actively participating in classrooms.

Requirements

The specific requirements for your student teaching experience will depend on your university or college certification program and state requirements. It may be one or two semesters in one classroom or split between two classrooms. Colleges realize the importance of matching you with an experienced mentor who teaches a subject compatible with your certification area. In most cases, your program will have an office dedicated to placement in student teaching positions.

Making the Most of the Experience

Student teaching puts your learning into practice. The practical experience you will gain by student teaching in the classroom will help you develop your skills. Accept advice and constructive criticism from your mentor teacher and use it to improve. Another great way to take advantage of this experience is to record yourself as you student teach. Observing your own performance can help you better understand the areas in which you need improvement.

Alternatives

Your certification program may accept alternative experiences in place of student teaching. Contact someone in the department to find out what other experiences may be accepted. For instance, if you previously worked as an instructor in a charter or private school that did not require certification, that may count towards your student teaching credits. Another possible alternative may be a teaching position with a volunteer organization such as the Peace Corps.

Testing Requirements for Teachers

Most states require passing test scores to qualify for teacher certification. Some states use their own tests and others use the Praxis tests administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). You can read more about testing requirements for teacher certification on our guide to the Praxis and other testing requirements.

Reciprocity for Out-of-State Teachers

If you become certified as a teacher in one state but want to move to another and still be able to work as a teacher, you must meet the requirements for teacher certification in that new state. States that are part of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC), may have interstate agreements. In these agreements, each state outlines which other states’ certificates are acceptable for transfer. For instance, if you received certification in Alabama and move to Georgia, you can immediately seek work there under their interstate agreement. You will, however, need to meet certain additional requirements within a specified amount of time. See our guide to reciprocity for further details on transferring teacher certification.

Adding Endorsements

Your teaching certificate list the teaching areas you are qualified to teach, also known as your endorsements. For instance, a high school teacher might have a secondary language arts endorsement and a secondary biology endorsement if they majored in English and biology while earning their secondary teaching certificate. You can always add endorsements to your certificate if you meet the qualifications.

Why Add More Endorsements?

Extra endorsements can make you more marketable to schools and districts. The more subjects you are qualified to teach, the better your hiring potential because districts prefer to hire teachers who can fill more than one position if needed. Another reason to add an endorsement is to fill an open position in your school. Be aware that school administrators typically fill the most urgent positions first, so make sure your endorsements are in subjects and grade levels that you want to teach.

How to Add an Endorsement

Adding an endorsement requires that you meet the qualifications for it. The process varies by state, but some basics are true in all states. The first is to complete the appropriate coursework and/or pass a competency exam in the endorsement subject area. You also must pass the certification test for your desired endorsement area. Finally, you must apply to add the endorsement to your certificate.

For example, in Florida, adding an endorsement requires teachers to complete required coursework and complete a Florida school district’s approved in-service add-on program. In Texas, teachers can add “Additional Certification by Examination” by passing a certificate area test. In Washington state, teachers must complete required coursework, complete a supervised practicum, and pass the content area test.

If you are unsure where to start, contact an advisor in the education department at your university or your state board of education.

Alternative Teacher Certification

The traditional route to becoming a certified teacher outlined above is not the only way to become certified. Most states in the US offer alternative routes to earning certification. These alternatives are typically centered on real-world teaching experience for candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree.

Teach for America

Teach for America is an organization that recruits people to teach in areas of the country where schools and students are struggling, often in urban and poverty-stricken areas. Recruits do not need former teaching experience and can work towards certification while teaching. In most cases, the experience gained while working for Teach for America fulfills student teaching requirements.

American Board

The American Board (ABCTE), (formerly known as the American Board for the Certification of Teacher Excellence), is accepted as an alternative route for teacher preparation in 16 states. This program involves online study and professional knowledge exams that lead to American Board certification; in states where it is recognized, American Board certification can also lead to teacher licensure; these include Alabama, Arknasas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

Other Alternative Programs

There are additional programs that recruit and train new teachers through alternative means, such as Michelle Rhee’s The New Teacher Project. It recruits new teachers and trains them to be effective and to work in districts with high poverty and minority students.

Other alternative programs are location-specific or not accepted in all states. The Academy for Urban School Leadership specifically trains new teachers to work in underperforming schools in Chicago and helps those teachers become certified. Trainees work for a full year with a mentor teacher.

Additionally, many states have designated alternative teacher certification pathways run by local schools and school districts. For more information on available alternatives in your state, see our alternative teacher certification guide.

Getting Hired as a Teacher

With certification in hand, it is now time to find a position working as a teacher. As a new teacher, you have some things working for you and against you in your job search. You lack experience in the classroom, but on the other hand, districts like to hire new teachers because your position will be lower on the pay scale. The key to getting hired as a new teacher is to emphasize the classroom experience you already have. If you can do this while giving a professional interview and providing excellent references, you can increase your chances of getting hired.

Begin the Search

Your search should start with looking for districts that are hiring. If you are open to any location, your search can reach far and wide. For guidance, review our Best States to Be a Teacher Index, where you can search the best states by teacher salary, average home value, projected job openings, and more. If you are restricted to one area, you may need to target districts that have not advertised an open position. Contact the districts you are interested in directly, either through email or by phone, and find out if they are hiring. Even if they are not hiring yet, you may be able to send in a resume to keep on file. For the latest teacher job openings, check out our jobs board.

Join a Professional Organization and Network

Networking is important for finding a job in any field, including teaching. You can network through social media, friends, and family, but do not ignore the power of professional organizations. As a student or recent graduate, you can join the student or associate programs of teacher unions like the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Joining as a student will give you access to job search resources and other benefits. There are also non-union groups that you can join for networking opportunities like the Association of American Educators (AAE) and Pi Lambda Theta.

Be Prepared

Networking, searching for positions, and contacting districts are just the preliminary steps toward getting a teaching position. Once you have found open positions and scheduled an interview, you must prepare for your interview. Practice interviewing with a friend or fellow job seeker and spend time researching the school and the district. Read more about others’ experiences on our Career Interviews page.

Be ready to share all the experiences you have in the classroom. This could include student teaching, volunteer work, or working as a substitute teacher. Have your materials ready to present in a professional portfolio. Include lesson plans that you have created, letters of recommendation from your mentor teachers and university instructors, and, if possible, a video of you teaching a lesson. Many districts are now asking prospective teachers to teach a real lesson to students or a panel of peers while administrators observe.

Finally, be patient. If you do not find a position for your first year after graduation, use that time wisely. Consider working as a substitute teacher to get to know the teachers and administrators at a school.

Continuing Your Education With Graduate School

Once you become certified as a teacher and find a position in a school, you may think your work is done, but it is not. As a teacher, you must continue to improve your skills and expand your knowledge. This can be accomplished through professional development opportunities, usually provided by your district, and by taking graduate-level courses. Each state sets different requirements for how much education you must complete after certification and how often. Consult your state’s department of education or your university for more information.

Graduate Courses

If your state requires that you earn a certain number of graduate credit hours after being certified, you have many options. You can continue taking courses at the university where you earned your certification, as most teacher education programs offer graduate-level courses. Another increasingly popular choice is to take online courses. More and more schools are offering graduate education classes online to help teachers meet their requirements. Examples include Central Michigan University (CMU) and Eastern Kentucky University (EKU).

Additional Resources

• Teach.org: Provides information on how to become a teacher, teaching job listings, and scholarship and networking opportunities.
• US Department of Education: Provides information about dropout rates, K-12 reforms, current federal education standards, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Do I need teacher certification to teach?

Answer: While certification requirements vary from state to state, public schools do require that teachers be certified. Private schools do not always require teachers to have state certification. You can check with your state board of education or teacher preparation program for further information on certification requirements in your state.

Question: How much do teachers make a year?

Answer: The salary of a teacher depends on many factors, including the degree and experience obtained, the area where they teach, the type of school, the level(s) taught, and other factors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), kindergarten and elementary school teachers earn a median salary of $59,420 per year, middle school teachers earn a median salary of $59,660, and high school teachers earn a median of $61,660 per year.^1-3

Question: What areas of study have the biggest need for specialized teachers?

Answer: Specialized teachers are usually in greater demand than general teachers, but some areas have more demand than others. For example, teachers of math and science, special education, and English as a second language (ESL) are particularly in demand. Talk to your school’s advisor or refer to your state board of education to find out what courses are required in your state.

References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Middle School Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/middle-school-teachers.htm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, High School Teachers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm