- A bachelor's degree and a state teaching certificate are required to become a teacher. The degree does not have to be in education, but if it is it is helpful in preparing the teaching candidate for further training. After the teacher obtains the bachelor's degree, completion of a teacher training program at an accredited educational facility (along with the other requirements listed below) is required to obtain the teaching certificate. At this time, a master's degree is not required from any state to obtain your teaching certificate, although it may prove to be useful in the process of finding employment.
- Some states require extra credit hours after the initial teaching certificate has been obtained. These are targeted to keep teachers up to date with new information and to refresh their knowledge on subjects. These credit hours can be in-service hours, courses or college classes, depending on the state requirements. The in-service hours are designated by the school district that you teach at, while the courses or classes that you choose to take can be in a range of subjects such as technology, creative arts or behavior management. School districts can provide further information on specific courses that are being offered at local educational establishments that will fulfill this credit hours requirement. Usually these credit hours need to be accomplished within the first two or three years of receiving your first teaching license to be able to renew it.
- The majority of states require certain assessments as a tool to show if an individual possesses the knowledge to be able to effectively teach. Plans are being implemented requiring that all states will require this kind of testing as a means of assessment before an individual can obtain a teaching certificate. Each state is given the right to specifically determine the minimum passing scores of these assessments before a teacher enters the classroom. Assessments include basic skills assessments (reading, writing and math); professional knowledge (classroom management, education psychology, lesson planning, etc.) and academic content (science, health, physical education, etc.). Vermont is the only state that requires a classroom instructional performance assessment and a portfolio of student teaching as a means of assessing progress and knowledge.
- Fieldwork and student teaching are common requirements to obtain your license in most states. During this practicum/student teaching time, you assume the duties of a full-time teacher while under the direct supervision of a mentor teacher. This experience is to assist a teaching candidate in getting firsthand experience on what it is like to be an active teacher in a teaching setting. The amount of student teaching hours required varies by state, but five to 20 hours is the average. Fieldwork involves going into the classroom to observe different individual teaching styles, classroom management and other classroom dynamics to better prepare the individual for their student teaching and/or for other future teaching experiences.
- Some states require teachers to havea certain grade point average (GPA) in their coursework to be able to obtain their teaching license/certificate. Some courses may be taken again to obtain a satisfactory GPA. Each state has their own guidelines for this.
- A demonstration of core subjects and specific knowledge of the coursework one will be teaching is important as well since an individual must know the subject well to be able to teach it effectively to others. The school district that you will potentially work for will be looking for and making assessments to see that your experience and educational background reflects your knowledge in the area that you are trying to teach. It is a good idea to take specialized classes or to obtain experience in the specific field that you want to teach to show potential employers that you are qualified to teach that area of study.
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