46 Unit 1 You: The Teacher of Tomorrow
a student teacher. A professor at the college oversees the student teach-
ing experience. All states require teacher education programs to include a
student teaching experience.
Student teachers begin by observing in the classroom. By the end of
their experience, which usually lasts one semester, they are often taking
over for the teacher while under his or her supervision. This includes
planning and teaching material, assigning work, evaluating and assessing
learning, and interacting with parents and school personnel.
Step 4: Gaining Certifi cation
Kindergarten through high school teachers must be certifi ed in the
state where they want to teach. A certifi ed teacher is one who has met
the state requirements for teacher preparation. Typically, this includes
having a bachelor’s degree or higher, successfully completing an approved
teacher education program (including student teaching), and any other
state requirements, 2-3. In many states, students can complete a bachelor’s
2-3
Once you have
successfully
completed your
student teaching,
earned a bachelor’s
degree or higher,
and met state
requirements, you
become a certified
teacher.