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Only you can decide if teaching is right for you — but here are some signs teaching could be a great fit:
Ready to learn more about the profession? Here are a few places to start your research:
The short answer is... it depends!
Most school districts set their own salary schedules for teachers. Salaries are often based on years of experience and credentials, but some districts also look at performance or offer higher pay to teachers in shortage area subjects.
There are also ways to increase your salary! Earning an advanced credential or leading an extracurricular can boost your pay.
Learn more about teacher salaries and benefits.
If you search "[Name of school district] + Salary schedule," you can usually find salaries for the district where you want to teach!
Every state has its own detailed requirements for certification. That said, most states require you to:
Good news: You have options! Your pathway will depend on your state. In all states, you’ll need to pass a subject area exam. So, at a minimum, you’ll need to be able to pass a test that covers the content you want to teach.
In some states, you may also need specific undergraduate coursework in your teaching field. This means that if your degree is in a subject other than your teaching field, you may need to sign up for post-baccalaureate, or post-bac, courses to get the credits you need. You may need to take these courses before you can apply to a program, but sometimes you can take post-bac courses during your teaching program.
Reach out to teaching programs that interest you to find out what next steps you'll need to take.
Start with the basics: First, decide what kind of program you're looking for. Do you want to earn a bachelor's degree along with your teaching certificate? Are you interested in a master's degree? Do you want to jump right into teaching with an alternative certification program?
Once you know the type of program that interests you, look for options that fit your budget and lifestyle, and that offer a teaching certificate in the subject you want to teach. Search for teaching programs in your state.
Once you have a few program options, consider what experience you're looking for. How much hands-on practice do you want? What kind of mentorship do you hope to get through your program? Questions like these will guide you to choosing the program that fits your goals.
Teaching programs vary widely in cost, but there are lots of ways to make your program affordable. Look for financial aid like scholarships, grants and loan forgiveness opportunities!
The most important thing you can do is turn yourself into the most effective teacher you can be. The more effective you are, the more you'll enjoy your job and the more you can set yourself up for benefits like promotions, pay raises and extra income opportunities. Look for professional development opportunities, find strong mentors and challenge yourself to try new things in the classroom!
It's also important to choose your employer (both your district and your school) wisely. Your school community and leadership will have a huge impact on your job satisfaction, professional growth and future opportunities.
Remember, job interviews work two ways: You're interviewing for a position, but you also want to find out if a particular school will be a good fit.
In general, you should develop yourself professionally as much as you can. A master's degree will allow you to earn a higher salary in most (but not all) school districts. Some states even require you to earn a master's degree in your first six to eight years of teaching.
If you already have a teaching certificate or license, you don't necessarily need to quit your job to get your master's degree. Look for programs that run during nights and weekends.
Use our Program Explorer to find master's degree programs in your state.
There's no one way to be a good teacher! Whether you're introverted or extroverted, the life of the party or more soft-spoken, there's a place for you in education.
Like any profession, it takes time and dedication to develop the skills to teach effectively. Therefore, good teachers need to have passion, drive, and curiosity to do their job well and better themselves. Each day, you'll improve your relationship-building, critical thinking, creativity and leadership skills, to support your students the best that you can.
Probably not right away—and that's okay! With proper training, preparation and practice, you'll build the skills you need.
Your teaching program should show you how to earn your students' trust, develop strong communication skills and use effective classroom management techniques.
Once you're in the classroom, you'll continue to learn on the job and learn from your colleagues. Teachers are a supportive bunch, and experienced educators at your school will help you build the core tenets of the craft. You've got this!
Most parents want "what's best" for their children. You want what's best too! So what happens if you disagree on what's best? You know your parents better than anyone, so you'll know what works with them—but here are some general tips and suggestions:
Teachers generally have a great deal of autonomy — more so than most jobs right out of college! From day one, you'll be entrusted with big responsibility. You'll get to design your classroom and lesson plans and build your own classroom culture.
That said, every school varies in terms of teacher autonomy, so it's smart to ask about this during job interviews.
Just like with any highly skilled profession, as a teacher, you'll learn and grow throughout your career. Teachers have rich opportunities for professional development, and learn from veteran educators, peer-to-peer learning, conferences and more.
There are also ways to set yourself up for success before you lead your own classroom! Look for opportunities for early hands-on experience, like internships, volunteer positions or school staff jobs. When you're ready to apply to teaching programs, keep an eye out for programs that offer plenty of mentorship, hands-on practice and opportunities to work with diverse students.
After you have a few years of teaching under your belt, you can also earn your National Board Certification. This is the highest possible credential for teachers (and often comes with a pay raise or bonus!)