Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
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Chapter 2 Becoming a Teacher
What Are the Steps to Becoming a
Teacher?
What does it take to become a teacher? It depends. Specific teacher
preparation standards vary by state and by the level of teaching, although
the same general steps are involved across the country.
The class you are taking provides you with an excellent start. As
you begin the process of exploring the teaching profession, you will
gain helpful experience and begin to build the skills you 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. Setting your goals and working systematically toward them is a
real advantage over students who begin later. The actions you take now
really do 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 exploration classes or programs. Some of these
programs, or teaching academies, help high school students to
explore the teaching profession through classes, observations, and
hands-on experiences. The class you are taking now may be such a
program.
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 serves as a solid basis for your college career. Every
course gives you insight into a new subject area. In addition, a strong
academic record makes you a better candidate for the college or
university of your choice and admittance into a teaching program.
In subjects that come more easily for you, you may choose to help
others learn the material. There is an old saying, “If you really want to
know a subject well, try teaching it to someone else.” When you have
difficulty with a class or particular topic, ask for help. The experiences
you gain mirror that of your future career.