January 24th, 2011 
jvremec
How to Become a High School Teacher
Author: Kelli Smith
If your goal is to become a teacher, you probably have a specific age group of students in mind. Some people envision themselves working with very young children who are just starting to learn, while others like the idea of working with high school students, whose minds and personalities are really coming into their own. Whichever is your preference, you’d be wise to focus on it from the beginning of your pursuit of an education degree. Both the degree requirements themselves, and the nature of the jobs, differ between elementary and secondary school education.
Special Characteristics of High School Teachers
If you want to become a high school teacher, you probably have a general idea of some of the basic requirements of teaching, such as:
- Good communication skills
- High energy level
- Ability to command respect
- Solid knowledge of a particular subject
- Diligence for evaluating tests and papers
In addition though, there are some special needs required of high school teachers, because of the nature of students at that stage of life:
- The ability to assess and guide students toward possible career interests. Being able to help students find a path that matches their interests and aptitudes helps make some high school teachers special.
- The persistence to encourage students who are struggling. High school teachers have to strike a balance between pushing students to achieve and not losing them as dropouts.
- An awareness of potential threats to student safety. Given the emotional changes that adolescents go through, some can become a danger to themselves and others. A perceptive teacher can make all the difference in defusing a potentially harmful situation.
Secondary Education Degree Requirements
To become a high school teacher, you will need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited secondary education school program. This is likely to have the following elements:
- A major in the area you intend make your primary subject matter for teaching. High school teachers normally specialize, so you may need some advanced knowledge in your chosen field.
- An accompanying program in teaching preparation. This may or may not be a second major, but in any case is likely to include a significant class load of education-related topics and techniques.
- Student-teaching experience. Many secondary education schools expect their students to get out into the classroom as interns before the completion of their studies.
In addition to this educational component, each state requires public school teachers to be licensed. The exact requirements vary from state to state. Private school teachers are often not required to be licensed, but obtaining licensure increases your job flexibility and can add to your earning potential.
Employment Outlook
Speaking of earning potential, secondary school teachers earn a good, though not spectacular, income, solidly above the national median. Employment in the field is expected to grow, albeit at a modest rate. Because dropout rates increase as the educational level progresses, job growth for elementary teachers is expected to exceed that for secondary school teachers.
As you contemplate your career direction, becoming a high school teacher is an option which would allow you to have an influence on future generations as they face similar decisions in the years ahead.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/how-to-become-a-high-school-teacher-1115768.html
About the Author
Edu411.org lists programs that help you to become a high school teacher and schools for those interested in pursuing a career in the education field.
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What are the requirements to become a teacher assistant for elementary school in NJ?
I have been in college for a long time because I kept changing my major. I just found out that I can’t complete the program I’m in (sign language interpreter) because my language skills in ASL are no good. My professor is going to see if I qualify for some type of degree and hopefully I do. However, is there a degree requirement to become a T.A. in a regular elementary school for kindergarten or a preschool program if they have one in the state of NJ?
I think its just 60 credits in most districts.
what are the teacher requirements for working in the ukraine?
i am an english language teacher, wondering what requirements i would need to teach in odessa ukraine? e.g , degree, expiererience, tesol certificate, what are the chances of getting a job there?
If you want to teach secondary students (k-12) you must have a Ukrainian teaching degree.
To teach English at the University level, you simply need to get a University to extend an offer to you. Also, you would be required to speak and write Ukrainian. Don’t expect much pay – University English teachers only make $150/mo.
Your best bet is a private English language school, which will likely require TOEFL.
What is the requirements for a school teacher I have a BS Degree in Management?
What is the requirements for a school teacher I have a BS Degree in Management. Do I need a degree in education or a teaching certificate.
Degree requirements vary according to where you want to teach. The best way to find out is to search for “teacher certification” or “teacher requirements” plus the name of the state or city where you live. For example, I live in New York State, so I’d search for teacher certification + New York.
The University of Kentucky’s web site links to requirements for all 50 US states.
If you are not in the US, you do the same kind of search using the name of a country. One link below is for the UK.
What are the requirements to be a teacher for elementary/secondary school in NJ?
I am working as a sub in NYC and Long island, and I have a bachelor’s degree, so can I also work in some schools in NJ with just a bachelor’s degree as a substitute teacher? What about workign as a teacher assistant in NJ schools if I have a teacher assistant certificate from NY? Lastly, what are the requirements to work as a teacher in NJ public schools?
You may find the info you need here: http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/schools/Teacher%20Certification.htm
What does a special ed teacher do?
I was thinking of either becoming a math teacher or a special ed teacher, both in the high school setting. What is the difference? What do special ed teachers teach? Degree requirements? Anything would be helpful.
You will need a degree for both. If you did math then you would need to be certified in that or if you did special education you need to be certified in that.
Special education classes are much smaller. There are different time of special education classes…there is behavior, low functioning etc. Some just have weaknesses and need extra help.
I don’t know as much about high school but that’s how it works in elementary school.
In my area Math teachers are in high demand…you might have better luck getting a job doing that.