Teaching

Description

If you have ever been to school, you know what a teacher does.  A teacher manages a classroom and teaches one or more subjects.  Some people think that the critical aspect of being a teacher is being an expert in a given subject.  This may be true at the university or graduate school level, but for elementary, middle school and high school the role of a teacher is to manage a group of people: Project Management skills.  If the classroom and students are in chaos, no one is going to learn anything.  You might be surprised to hear that a teacher has to be a good negotiator.  What happens if the 2nd grader doesn't want to come in after recess?  The teacher uses their persuasion and negotiations skills as well as patience and flexibility to get the student back in the classroom.  If you love working with children and helping them grow, teaching may be for you.

Something Cool

Teachers can have a significant impact of the lives of their students.

Types of Schools

• Elementary: teachers cover multiple subjects in a single classroom.  They typically earn a multi-subject credential (see below). 

• Middle School / High School: at this level, the focus is on a single subject.  Teachers typically earn a single subject credential to teach at this level.  Content knowledge becomes more significant but classroom management is still a material part of the role.

• Public vs Private: public schools tend to have larger classroom sizes.  Private schools have smaller class sizes and each have their owns unique culture.  Public schools give their teachers the ability to earn a pension for retirement.

Further Education & Credentials Required

• Graduate School: most elementary teachers major in education or childhood development in undergraduate.  High school teachers typically major in the subject they plan on teaching (ex. history teachers major in history).  Many teachers go on to get a masters degree in education.  A Masters of Arts (M.A.) can be obtained in a year and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) takes two year.  

•  Credentialing: credentialing is specific to a state, but one can typically take a supplemental exam and/or fill out a state specific application to teach in a new state.  To teach at the elementary school level, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential is required.  High School requires a Single Subject Teaching Credential.  See link for resources on the process in California.  Either process takes two years with the first year in the classroom, the next 1/2 year split between the classroom and student teaching and the final 1/2 year focused on student teaching.  The student teaching is unpaid but it provides valuable real world experience.  

• State Test: each state has a test that you must pass to be able to teach.  Example: California has the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST).

Entry Level Roles

• Teacher (Project Management / Service): paid teaching in the classroom.  Many schools want some level of experience.

• Substitute Teacher (Project Management / Service): this can be a good place to start if you don't have any experience.  Finding a long-term sub position for a teacher can be a great way to gain experience and demonstrate your capabilities to a school.

How To Learn More

• Talk to someone doing the role you want.  Check out my writings on The Gift of Asking for Help, Mentors and Networking 101 on The Search page to learn how to do this.

• Better understand your own skills and where you will be successful at Roles.

• Check out my writings on various industries and departments at the Industries page.

• Already know what you want to do but are looking for guidance on how to find a job within that industry?  Check out The Search for advice.