40 Unit 1 You: The Teacher of Tomorrow
Y
ou are considering teaching as a career, but that may seem to be
years into the future. In reality, you need to begin the process now.
This chapter will help point you in the right direction. You will
learn about the steps you need to take to reach your goal and what you can
accomplish while you are still in high school.
What if you change your mind along the way? That is okay, too. Through
your experiences, you may decide you still want to teach, but perhaps a dif-
ferent level or subject. That is a valuable insight. If you decide that teaching
is not for you, you can explore another career path knowing more about
your interests and abilities. Virtually everything you learn along the way
will serve you well, regardless of the career you will eventually choose.
What Are the Steps to Becoming a
Teacher?
What does it take to become a teacher? It depends. Specifi c teacher
preparation standards vary by state and by the level of teaching. However,
the same general steps are involved across the country.
The class you are taking will provide you with an excellent start. It
will help guide you as you begin the process. You will explore the teaching
profession, gain helpful experience, and begin to build the skills you will
need to be a successful teacher.
Step 1: High School Preparation
High school is the best place to start the process toward a career in
teaching. By setting your goals and working systematically toward them,
you will have a real advantage over students who begin later. What you do
now really does have a major impact on your future.
Maximize Your Educational Opportunities
As a student, you are in a school setting every day. You have years
of experience as a student. More high schools are offering students the
opportunity to explore careers in teaching through special career explo-
ration classes or programs. Some of these programs are called teaching
academies. They help high school students to explore the teaching profes-
sion through classes, observations, and hands-on experiences. You may be
enrolled in such a class or program now.
Make the most of your high school educational experience. Choose
challenging high school courses, and commit to doing as well in them
as possible. Why is this so important? First, the knowledge you gain will