Teacher Training
If you enjoy sharing your knowledge with others or watching someone's face light up when they discover something new, then you may be considering a career in teaching. Teacher training is commonly a requirement for those who want to work in elementary, high school or post secondary institutions.
The requirements to become a teacher vary in each state and province. The best way to find out the requirements in your area is to contact your local school district or teacher certification board. In the Unitied States many areas require that teachers take a licensing exam after completing their prep courses. In most parts of Canada there is no formal exam and successful certification depends on how your are evaluated by professors and sponsor teachers who observe you during training.
A teacher preparation program consists of a series of course taken over one or two years at a college or university and a work experience component in which 3 to 12 weeks are spent assisting in a real classroom. The teacher training courses cover a number of topics including how to make lesson plans, manage classroom time, and evaluate how well your students are learning. Elementary and high school teachers may also choose to specialize in a particular area such as working with English as a Second Language Students (ESL), those with special needs or learning disabilities or those in inner city schools. The majority of courses are completed in a classroom, but some schools will make classes available through distance or online learning.
The higher the academic level you wish to teach at, the greater your own education needs to be. To work in an elementary or high school teachers must have a Bachelors degree and then complete a training program. College and university teachers must obtain their Ph.D. before enrolling in teacher training. In most teaching careers your salary will also be determined based on your level of education, so for many teachers training is ongoing. Throughout their careers teacher take part in additional training programs which may focus on learning new ways to motivate their students, learning to incorporate a new technology in the classroom, or learning a new curriculum. This additional training may take place online, through day-long seminars, or part-time on campus study.
Those interested in teaching in public schools need to go through an application process to be accepted into a training program. Applicants are judged on their academic success and previous experience with children in the age group they plan to teach. At the college or university level, previous publications or research goals may also be considered during the application process. Many schools look favourably at applicants who have first aid or CPR training as well. If you plan to work with students under 18 years of age you will have to undergo a criminal record check as part of the application process.
Most teachers agree the best way to learn teaching is through experience. Training programs that offer work placement for 9-12 weeks or more will give you practice working in a classroom and allow you to form contacts with teachers and school principals. If you make a good impression, these contacts may help you to land a job once your training is complete.