How to become a high school teacher |Complete Guide 2023

Do you want to know how to become a high school teacher? If yes, then this article is what you need.

This article on how to become a high school teacher contains everything you need to know about teaching in high school and what it takes.

Getting to know what it takes to become a High school teacher is one thing and having the passion to teach in high school is another.

Therefore, just before you continue reading, kindly answer this question: why do you want to become a high school teacher?

Now that you have the answer to that question, it is time to get the answer to your very first search which is how to become a high school teacher.

Just keep reading, as I walk you through the steps you should follow in your journey to become a high school teacher.

What is the job description of a teacher?

Just before walking the path that leads to becoming a high school teacher, you may want to know what exactly teachers do.

A teacher is responsible for planning lessons and teaching these planned lessons to pupils in such a manner that they understand.

As a teacher, you will be in charge of overseeing every child in your classroom.

You will have to be detail-oriented, so as to identify their individual needs and mentor them when necessary.

As a teacher, you will also be responsible for evaluating the level of understanding of each student through tests and examinations.

At the end of each academic term, you will also have to grade each student depending on their academic performance.

READ ALSO: HOW TO GET INTO MED SCHOOL WITH A LOW GPA|Complete Guide 2021

How to become a high school teacher: Step by step guide

Carefully read through and follow the following steps. And in no time, you will become the amazing high school teacher you envisage.

#1. Choose the course or subject you will like to teach

As a High school teacher, you may have to teach different levels or classes, but you will only teach one subject.

If you are assigned to more than one subject, then these subjects have to be interrelated.

While choosing a subject to teach in high school, consider the subject you naturally have a flair for.

If you teach a subject you love and understand very well, you bring positive energy into the class and will be capable of passing the knowledge to your students better.

Also, you should consider choosing a subject you find easy to teach, this is because it is one thing to love and know a subject and it is another thing to teach it in such a way that your students can understand.

If the subject you love is the same subject you find easy to teach, then that will certainly be a huge plus for you.

#2. Get a bachelor’s degree

Before becoming a high school teacher, you will need a bachelor’s degree.

Preferably, you should try to earn a bachelor’s degree in the course or subject you will like to teach.

Having a bachelor’s degree in the course you will like to teach or in a related course will give you a deep understanding of the course.

Also, when picking a college for your bachelor’s degree, it is best you go for a college where you won’t just earn a bachelor’s degree, but a teaching credential as well.

In the course of your formal education in college or the university, it is best you try to gain some level of experience.

You can do this by tutoring or volunteering to work as an assistant teacher.

This way, after college, you have some level of experience to add to your CV or resume and you are also not a novice in the classroom.

#3. Sit for the required examination or test in your state or location

In every country or state, there is always an examination test every high school teacher has to sit for and pass before he or she can become an accredited high school teacher.

In most countries, government-owned schools make it mandatory for every teacher to sit for and pass this test, but private schools may not necessarily require it.

This test is carried out to test your teaching skills as well as your general knowledge.

Of course, the prerequisite and content of the test differ from state to state and from country to country.

#4. Get  Your Teaching Credential

Having a teaching credential is more important for prospective teachers who intend to teach in government-owned high schools.

But, whether or not you intend to teach in a government-owned high school, having a teaching credential can’t possibly be a bad idea.

The importance of having this credential is to show that you sat for the accreditation test, you have relevant experience, and that you are a professional teacher.

The requirements for applying for a teaching credential may vary from state to state.

Therefore, you may have to find out what is peculiar to your state.

#5. identify and evaluate the differences in schools.

Just before sending your resume out to any schools, review your options.

Make your own findings and try to identify the differences and uniqueness of each school.

This will help you decide whether or not you want to work in a particular school.

After identifying the schools where you believe you can fit into, you may also want to find out if they are in need of new teachers.

Certain schools like schools where children who need special attention are taken to have special requirements for their teachers.

Therefore before applying to teach in such a school, you may want to be sure you have all the necessary requirements.

#6: Create an attractive and professional teacher resume

After getting all necessary requirements for becoming a teacher, and identifying the subject you will like to teach and also the school you will like to teach in, the next thing you should do is create a professional teacher resume.

Your resume should contain information such as:

• Qualifications
• Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Contact information

Your curriculum vitae can either be neatly typed and printed out or in a video format.

#7: Submit your application to your desired high school

After taking steps 1-6 the next step is to write a professional application letter and submit it to your desired schools.

Yes, schools, you may have to send your application out to more than one school in order to improve your chances of getting a job.

How much do high school teachers make in a year?

According to be American Bureau of Labour Statistics, a high school teacher makes an average of $60,320 per year.

More experienced and qualified high school teachers in the United States may earn up to $97,500 per year.

Please note that this figure is peculiar to high school teachers in the US and may be different depending on your geographical location.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are some of the frequently asked questions most prospective high school teachers ask:

1. What degree do I need to become a high school teacher

A bachelor’s degree is the basic degree you will need to become a high school teacher.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree, you may also earn. Master’s degree in the art of teaching.

You should also know that in some countries or states, after some years of teaching with a bachelor’s degree, you will be required to have a master’s degree.

2. Why do some people back out of teaching?

There are various reasons why a professional teacher may decide to stop teaching.

It may be as a result of loss of passion, low salary or even the overwhelming workload.

Teachers may also leave the profession as a result of personal and family reasons.

How to become a high school teacher: Conclusion

I believe that after reading to this point, you now know how to become a high school teacher.

Kindly put the things you have learned into practice, and be sure that you truly have the passion and zeal to teach before going into that career path.

If you have friends and family who may also want to know how to become a high school teacher, kindly share this article with them.

References:

• Teacher certification
• Rossier

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