How to Become a Teacher

How to Become a Teacher
Most of us have a favorite teacher from our childhoods; maybe it was the teacher who taught you how to read or the one who taught you how to value diversity, or even the one who taught you how to play kickball. Perhaps that teacher is your inspiration for wanting to become a teacher yourself. If you’re asking yourself what degree do you need to be a teacher and are ready to learn about the steps for becoming the teacher you aspire to be, check out this How to Become a Teacher guide!
We’ve broken down the steps to becoming a teacher, including what degrees you’ll need and what exams you’ll have to pass. While there are many different paths to becoming a teacher, they all begin with a bachelor’s degree -- but they don’t all end there.
Teaching is one of the hardest yet most rewarding and important jobs out there. Every day, the future of our world relies on teachers to help raise, mold, guide, and educate the next generation. As a teacher, you get the opportunity to have a great impact on hundreds or even thousands of kids throughout your career. It’s a great responsibility that can be extremely rewarding.
Why Become a Teacher?
Becoming a teacher isn’t just about the predictable schedule and summer vacations (did you know that teachers don’t get paid holidays or vacations?). Becoming a teacher is about having a passion for helping others and loving kids. When they truly invest in their career and their “kids” (the term many teachers use to refer to their students), teachers are able to make an incredible impact.
A little over ten years ago, I was in the same position you are. I was considering becoming a teacher, but I was confused and overwhelmed by all the requirements, clearances, and certifications. As a college freshman, so many other career paths seemed simpler to navigate. I’m proud to say I stuck it out, and I’ve learned a lot about how to become a teacher on my own journey as well, becoming a teacher.
Should I Become a Teacher?
Nobody can tell you whether you should become a teacher or not, but while there are many reasons teaching is an extremely fun and rewarding career, there are drawbacks to the profession as well.
The best way to tell if a career is really for you is to get in the trenches and experience a day in the life of a teacher. Teachers do way more behind the scenes work than most people realize. Often, during student teaching, prospective teachers get a taste for how much work teachers actually do on a daily basis. Until you get to that point, here are a few more things to consider if you’re on the fence about becoming a teacher.