How to Get Teacher Certification by otisanderson

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Slide Notes

Many people that receive teacher certification are able to attain certification at the state level. Granted, requirements to attain teaching certification do tend to vary depending on the state that one wishes to certify. Indeed becoming a certified teacher in one state does not necessarily mean that one will be certified as a teacher in all states. Regardless of which state one chooses to certify in, attainment of teaching certificates can be an arduous process, according to writemypaperbro.com report.

Required Education in Teacher Certification

The typical process that one goes through includes first getting a bachelor’s degree. If one has entered a teacher training program, the bachelor’s degree will include courses that are specific to teaching methods and will include courses that are specific to the particular subject and grade level that a person wishes to teach. For example, if a person wishes to be an English teacher, that person will typically complete a major in English while also completing the necessary teaching methods courses and other education-related courses to enable expertise in teaching.

Also, there are required observation courses where students go and observe professional teachers working in the classroom and there are practicum courses where student teachers are able to gain experience teaching under the supervision of professional teachers. In addition, individuals in all teaching specialties will have to take a basic exam such as the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) exam and get a passing score which proves that they have certain basic competences in reading, writing, and math. Also one must go through the formal application process with the state that one intends to certify in. Typically there will be fingerprinting and a background check that is a part of the process before one is formally certified as a teacher.

Alternative Paths to Becoming a Teacher

It is worth noting that it is not always necessary to pursue teacher training on the bachelor’s degree level. For instance it is possible to begin teacher training on the master’s degree level and complete all of the requirements. Of note, getting master’s degree teaching certification can be helpful in some cases because it could result in a higher level of entry level teacher pay.

Of course, one also has the option of participation in a special program such as Teach for America where one can attain a teaching certificate in an accelerated manner. In some cases, individuals may get temporary teaching certificates which are good for duration of one year while they are completing teaching certificate requirements. Or, until they finish requirements for formal certification, some people may choose to initially teach in private schools which might or might not require formal teacher certification to start.