It is required in all 50 states and the District of Columbia that all teachers be licensed. With the exception of some private schools, licenses are mandatory regardless of the grade being taught. The State Board of Education is the primary organization to approve licenses. Teachers may only be licensed to teach a specific grade. While going to school for education, teachers must decide what level of education they want to teach, and then specialize in that area. Most commonly, these areas are divided into early education, elementary education, and secondary education.
Requirements for teacher credentials vary from state to state. However, all states require teachers who instruct general education to have a bachelor’s degree, they must have completed an approved teacher training course, have a specific number of subject and education credits, and for each subject they must have completed supervised sessions of practiced teaching. It is also not uncommon for districts to insist that teachers obtain a master’s degree in education within a specified period of time after beginning to teach. Higher degrees, however, also tend to earn the teacher’s a higher salary.
Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, prospective teachers must complete a course in a professional development school. These programs generally take one year to complete and are essential to help teachers merge theory with practice while experiencing a year of teaching under professional guidance.
Many states also offer alternative licensure programs for prospective applicants who have a bachelor’s degree in a specialized subject, but lack the necessary general education courses. These potential teachers have the knowledge and skills to instruct students in areas like math and science and become useful to school districts when there are shortages of teachers.
Teachers that choose to instruct vocational classes, like agriculture and home economics, may require the same credentials and schooling as their academic counterparts. Because knowledge and experience in a particular field are important criteria for the job, however, many states will hire candidates that possess a bachelor’s degree and can prove expertise in a certain field.
It is also important for teachers to have the ability to communicate, inspire, and motivate students. Educational and emotional needs of children will vary, so it is essential for teachers to be able recognize and respond to individual differences. Teachers work in a community of peers, so it is necessary to maintain effective communication skills, patience, and compassion towards different cultures.
As a teacher gains more knowledge and becomes more accustomed to school activities, it is possible to obtain other positions within the school district.
