If you're feeling that call to an education career, you'll need to educate yourself first. However, if you're like many aspiring teachers with some general studies college credits under your belt, you've already got a head start. Minimal requirements for Teaching certification usually include a bachelor's degree, along with completion of an approved teacher training program, which will include a set number of both general studies credits and education credits.You'll also need to perform student teaching duties prior to obtaining teaching certification. If you've already earned your degree in a particular subject you'd like to teach, but have no education credits per se, investigate alternative routes to obtaining your teaching certification in your state, which usually includes on the job training along with simultaneous education coursework. In all 50 states, teaching in public schools requires you to be licensed by the State Board of Education where you'd like to teach. The fact is, you'll need more than a general studies background and an education degree to impart valuable lessons on students -- you need passion. But if you've got the heart, the rewards are tremendous. "Teachers help prepare the next generation of youth to be active, critical thinking citizens," says Nancy Williams, Ph.D., associate dean of the School of Education at Maryville University. "Scientist, mathematicians, health care providers, authors, artists and others often get their start through the teaching and inspiration of an educator." By coupling a solid background in general studies with teaching certification, you'll be able to cater to each students individual strengths and interests. But as a teacher, your general studies in all fields will need to continue developing if you want to stay at the top of your profession. "Teaching means you also have this opportunity to continue your own learning, as being a life long learner is a requirement for being a teacher," says Williams. "You not only have the opportunity and obligation to stay current in your content area, you also continue to learn about how people learn and interact with each other and knowledge. Individuals who like to multitask, interact with people, face new challenges daily and explore the big ideas that frame a knowledge base should consider teaching." Part of what it means to continue your general studies as a teacher includes more than just academic topics -- it includes learning how to better connect with your both peers and students alike. "Teachers can also be influential in mentoring caring, compassionate, responsible people who can work together to address and solve problems," says Williams. "These are the major rewards of the profession: educating and mentoring those who will make their own contributions."
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Paul D. Rosevear is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.
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