Path to becoming a teacher?

TheGreyKing
Wed, 17 Aug 2016 01:50:31 +0000

Hi. I am a public school administrator in New York State whose job includes interviewing and hiring teachers. Some people start with a bachelor’s degree in education, start teaching, and then get their master’s degree. Others-- like me-- major in a non-related subject in the liberal arts, then go for their master’s before starting to teach. (I was an English major before going to graduate school and becoming first an elementary school teacher and then a principal. Personally, I think that a liberal arts background gives you an intellectual heft and breadth of knowledge that will be useful to you as a teacher.)
You will need to do student teaching. Your college or graduate program must have supervised student teaching opportunities. You will need to become certified, usually through a school of education’s program and an exam.
Many teachers who initially were provisionally certified through their bachelor’s programs get their master’s degrees through evening and weekend courses, as they teach during the day. In NY you need your Master’s eventually for permanent certification.
My expertise is only in NY. My recommendation is that you contact the department of education in your state directly and find out the requirements.