1. Chapter 2
Becoming a Teacher

2. What Are the Steps to Becoming a Teacher?
Step 1: High school preparation Step 2: College preparation and teacher training Step 3: Classroom experiences and student teaching Step 4: Gaining certification

3. Becoming a Teacher What are the four steps to becoming a teacher?
What five things should you note when you are observing other teachers?
What are four ways to gain experience with children while in high school?

4. Becoming a Teacher
What are four entrance requirements for college/university?
Describe the ‘Student Teaching’ experience
Who is the ‘Cooperating Teacher’?

5. Becoming a Teacher Define or Describe the following: Certified teacher
Teacher license
Reciprocal agreement
Teaching Philosophy

6. Step 1: High School Preparation
Starting the process
Maximize educational opportunities
Observe teachers
Explore college programs
Gain experience and improve skills

7. For Reflection
In what ways have you already started the process toward becoming a teacher?
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8. Maximize Your Educational Opportunities
Explore through teaching academies
Choose challenging high school courses
Maintain a strong academic record
Offer to help or tutor others

9. Observe Your Teachers Notice your teachers’ interaction with students
teaching styles
techniques of adapting material for different levels
rules and procedures
methods of earning student respect

10. Explore College Programs
Gather information about teacher education programs
Sources of information include
guidance staff
teacher recommendations
online sources
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11. Explore College Programs
Types of financial aid for college include
scholarships
grants
student loans
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12. Objective
Compare ways of gaining experience with children while in high school.
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13. Gain Experience and Improve Your Skills
Job shadowing
provides insight into daily tasks
can help identify needed skills
can help establish employment contacts
Volunteering
is a way to interact with children
can provide leadership experience
improves problem-solving and evaluating skills
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14. Gain Experience and Improve Your Skills
Service-learning
fulfills a community need
requires analysis, research, planning, performing, and evaluating
Part-time work
Child care centers
Recreation programs
After-school care programs

15. For Discussion
What are some specific examples of ways you can gain experience in your community?
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16. Objective
Analyze the requirements for admission to a teacher education program.
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17. Step 2: College Preparation and Teacher Training
Teaching requires a bachelor’s degree
Entrance requirements often include
personal interviews
prerequisite courses
minimum grade point average
proficiency tests
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18. Step 2: College Preparation and Teacher Training
Elementary and secondary education students must complete course work related to education
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19. Step 3: Classroom Experiences and Student Teaching
Course requirements include:
observation
helping teachers
tutoring
Student teaching
Required in every state
A cooperating teacher supervises and mentors the student teacher

20. Step 4: Gaining Certification
Certified teachers
have met state requirements for teaching preparation
receive a license or certificate verifying that they are qualified to teach
Education programs usually follow the licensing requirements of the state
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21. Step 4: Gaining Certification
A teaching license must be renewed, which may require additional education or training
States with reciprocal agreements honor teaching credentials issued in another state
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22. Step 4: Gaining Certification
Community college teachers need a master’s degree in an area of specialization
College or university teachers may need a doctoral degree in an area of specialization

23. For Reflection
Would you be willing to earn a doctorate degree to teach at the college level? Why or why not?
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24. Objective Generate your own philosophy of teaching.
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25. Develop Your Philosophy of Teaching
Your thoughts, views, and values form your philosophy of teaching
Articulate a statement of your philosophy of teaching to
think seriously about your beliefs
apply for teacher preparation programs
apply for teaching positions
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26. Develop Your Philosophy of Teaching
What do you want to teach?
What characteristics make a teacher effective?
How do students learn?
What is an ideal classroom?
What should the relationship between teacher and student be?
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27. Develop Your Philosophy of Teaching
What motivates students to learn?
What should be the primary goal of a teacher?
Who is the best teacher you have ever known? What made him or her so special?
What is the most important role of a teacher?

28. For Reflection
Can you articulate your philosophy of teaching? How do you think your philosophy will continue to change over time?
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