The teaching profession encompasses every academic subject and
standardized education system in the U.S. You�ll find unique
challenges at each level, whether you�re a public kindergarten
teacher or undergraduate T.A. at a private university. You�ll
deal with a wide range of concerns from student performances to
administrative politics. Learning to be an effective instructor
is a process that takes years to develop.
While the demands of teaching can be overwhelming, the
profession is one of the most fulfilling career paths you can
undertake. Helping others to make discoveries in your area of
expertise is a special privilege. Among the various civil service
positions, educators provide some of the best long-term benefits
to individuals and community alike.
Teaching also lets you apply the concepts and skills you�ve
acquired in school directly to your daily work. At Kaplan, we
pride ourselves on our effective instructors and instruction. As
an undergraduate, your first priority is to nurture your
curiosity and understanding of an academic subject. Read on for
more hints and resources about preparing for a career in
education.
Now that you've completed your undergraduate degree, it's time
to weigh your career options. The next step depends on the level
you want to teach.
K-12 Teacher
If you�re teaching at a public school, there are certification
requirements set by the State legislature that you must fulfill,
regardless of specialty. Most states require a bachelor�s degree
in the major of the classes you�re going to teach. You�ll also
need to pass a certification test, which will grant you a
teaching certificate. Exact criteria vary from state to state.
The National Education Association has a comprehensive database
of homepages for each of the 50 States. Find out the teaching
requirements for your area by visiting their website.
Many private schools follow a similar model as the public
schools in regards to certification. Check with each school�s
administration to find exact requirements.
Unless a school is in immediate need of new faculty, chances
are you�ll hold a provisional student teaching position under the
supervision of a senior instructor. Once the period is over,
you�re subject to review by the administration.
The U.S. faces a national shortage of educators, particularly
in public schools. Turnover rates are high, especially in large
metropolitan areas. In New York City alone, public school
educators are only expected to last three years in the
profession. Conversely, this means you�ll have an excellent
chance at landing employment, especially as a bilingual, special
education, mathematics, science (particularly the physical
sciences), computer science, English-as-a-Second-Language or
foreign languages teacher.
Be forewarned that many schools, especially public
institutions are so understaffed that you may find yourself
teaching a subject you didn�t major in. As a high school
instructor you might also be required to be a faculty advisor for
a student club.
College Instruction
A master�s degree is necessary to teach at two-year and community
colleges. You�ll need your PhD to become a regular faculty
member. Unfortunately for higher degree graduates in the
humanities, jobs are scarce in academia. If you�re lucky enough
to become an adjunct professor, your department may require you
to publish on a regular basis to retain your position.
Administration and
Policy
After you�ve spent a few years "in the trenches," you may
reconsider your education options on a larger (and potentially
more lucrative) scale as an administrator. Though removed from
the classroom, you�ll still serve an important role establishing
academic standards and maintaining school resources. Many of
these positions require a doctorate.
