How to Become a High School Teacher

Did you always love almost all the subjects when you were in school? So much so that you wanted to explain complex phenomena or difficult sums and theorems to your friends in a simpler manner, which even your teachers could not do? Then probably you are an ideal person to become a school teacher. If you think the same about yourself and are endowed with qualities of a good teacher but have no idea about how to become a high school teacher, then you must read this article.

High School Teacher Requirements

Apart from the love for kids and passion for teaching, you will need to fulfill some basic requirements to become a teacher. Given below are some of the steps that will aid you in the process of becoming a teacher:

Step #1: Get A Bachelor's Degree
This is one of the most important step and basic step that forms the foundation of the teaching career. In every state, it is mandatory for a teacher to at least possess a bachelor's degree. For better prospects, it is advisable to complete your bachelors in education or secondary education. While selecting the majors make sure that you select the subjects that you wish to teach in future and gain expertise in.

Step #2: Complete the Internship
While completing the academics, you also have to complete the necessary internship program which is like a fieldwork. The internship program generally involves teaching for certain hours in any of the local schools. For this, you can consult your academic advisor as there are different rules and different number of hours for each institute. This internship is more like practicals where your superiors will observe your performance and grade you accordingly.

Step #3: Get A Master's Degree
Some schools prefer to hire teachers with master degree and hence it is better to complete your master degree in secondary education. For post graduation you can apply for single subject teaching credentials. You may have to appear for the entrance exam to be qualified for the post graduation program. Apart from this, there will be certain standard tests and courses that you have to complete to be eligible for master degree program. You can complete your masters simultaneously even after getting a job.

Step #4: Obtain A Teaching License
Obtaining teaching license is a must, though all the private schools do not ask for it. But State run schools hire teachers only with license. To get this license, typically, you will have to appear for an entrance exam where your proficiency in teaching and specialized subject will examined. There may be additional and alternative rules and regulations, and ways to obtain the teaching license in each state that you have to find out.

Step #5: Prepare Your Resume
A high school teacher resume has to be drafted meticulously. Highlight all your strengths and expertise along with your internship record and work experience, if any. Once you prepare the resume, send it to different schools in the local area where you wish to get a job. Or upload your resume on the job sites and wait for the interview calls. Meanwhile you can volunteer in some school just to get some hands on training.

Step #6: Get On the Job
You may get many teaching job opportunities so you can choose any of the schools or institutes that you would love to be associated with. But, check if your career growth is promising in that school. You may also have to undergo some special teacher training offered by the institute for few months after which you can start working as a full-time teacher. After few years of experience, you may apply for PhD that will make your academic journey complete and will also provide you with better and high paying job opportunities.

High school teacher salaries are subject to change as per each school, state, and the number of subjects you can teach. But the starting average high school teacher salary falls somewhere between $30,000 to $40,000 per annum. With experience your salary will keep increasing. So start preparing to become a high school teacher from now and get the best job ever!