A subject to teach is an important decision for aspiring teachers.Before making a decision, key considerations include topic interests, age group preferences and employment opportunities.It is possible to research available teaching options and speak to experienced teachers to make a well-informed decision.Understanding the requirements in advance helps you make a choice.
Step 1: Take a moment to reflect on what interests you the most as a student.
Whatever subject you are interested in will be fun to teach.If your subjects are boring, you are probably not a good choice to teach them.Which subjects did you do well in?What subjects did you work on?Do you remember your teachers?What did they teach?
Step 2: Do you want to study topics on your leisure time?
If you are not working or not in school, what you do for leisure is a good indication of how you want to teach.Do you build or fix things for fun?Think about something similar.Do you visit historical sites in your community?If you want to be a history or social studies teacher, consider it.Do you read fiction?You could become an English teacher.
Step 3: Understand what subjects are the best for you.
General interests and curiosity are important when it comes to teaching, but you need to consider what you are the best at.You will most likely be able to offer the most to students in subjects that you excel in.You might teach language arts if you are a natural writer.If you're interested in the historical perspective on social issues, you might teach history or social studies.Think about math or science if you enjoy working with numbers.
Step 4: Ask for feedback from your teachers.
Teachers who have taught for a long time are the ones who know the most about teaching.The challenges and joys of teaching science might be explained by a science teacher.A language arts teacher in a college can share strategies used to accelerate learning with adults who are not proficient in the language.If you're interested in teaching high school or college, you might be directed by an experienced middle school social studies teacher.It is possible that you will gain valuable contacts later in your teaching career.
Step 5: You can visit schools to observe classes.
One of the best ways to determine a subject and age group is to watch teachers and learners in the classroom.You will be able to observe how certain subjects are taught.It's possible that you possess the enthusiasm and energy of a preschool teacher or the ability to ask difficult questions of college students.It is possible that you enjoy one subject more than another.Being a middle school social studies teacher is different than you thought.
Step 6: Become a substitute.
Chances are you can be a substitute teacher if you have an associate or bachelor's degree.Spending some time as a substitute teacher will allow you to take charge of classrooms for all grade levels.You will be able to decide what grade level you want to teach if you have such an opportunity.
Step 7: It is necessary to conduct a thorough observation of grade levels.
To observe progress across a longer period of time, ask for permission to visit one class each day.You can see the needs of each age group by visiting all grade levels.You will see how different subjects are taught to different age groups.
Step 8: If you want to teach advanced topics, you might be able to rule out some age groups.
People who have graduated from the K-12 experience can tell you that different age groups study different parts of the same subject area.You need to consider what age group is appropriate for your specialty if you're committed to it.Prospective science teachers need to decide if they want to teach general science or a subfields like chemistry, physics or astronomy.The subfields are usually reserved for high school and college.Prospective math teachers need to decide if they want to teach basic arithmetic or a subfield like geometry.Middle school and above are usually where these subfields are located.Prospective English teachers need to decide if they want to focus on the basics or on literature.In many districts, teachers won't be able to focus on literature until at least middle school, and will have to wear many hats as an English teacher.Do your homework before making a decision.
Step 9: Do you want to work with elementary school students?
Teaching elementary students will affect the type of teaching you do.Teaching elementary students offers a lot of rewards and challenges that other age groups don't.If you teach at the elementary level, you'll be working with young children, so you need to be prepared for age-related issues.Depending on your age, you may not be able to focus on just one subject area when teaching elementary students.If you enjoy working with young children and are knowledgeable about the basics of math, reading and writing, grade school teaching may be for you.Elementary teaching might be right for you if you want to focus on basic concepts.Elementary teaching might be right for you if you want to be part of a more nurturing environment and help students transition to a new environment.
Step 10: Middle school is a good place to teach.
Middle school is the middle ground between elementary and high school.If you want a more nurturing environment but also want to focus more on a specific subject area, this is the best of both worlds.You will be able to focus more on a specific subject area as a middle school teacher, but you will still be dealing with a lot of nurturing and behavior supervision.Many high school students will begin going through puberty, so your students might be a little more unpredictable.Students will start to seem like adults, but still need more individualized attention.
Step 11: Do you want to teach high school?
The most like adults are high school students.There are unique problems and opportunities that come with teaching high school students.You will be able to teach more complex concepts.Students are almost adults and have behavior issues.Students will still need a high level of supervision, but they will need less individualized attention.Parent involvement is still needed even though your students will be older.
Step 12: Don't teach college-aged students.
College-aged students are different from other types of teaching.Your role as a teacher will be different now that students are considered adults.You are an instructor, mentor, and a scurvy of knowledge.You will focus on complex subject concepts.You won't have to worry about behavior problems.You won't have a lot of interaction with parents.
Step 13: Take a look at where you live.
It's important to understand employment opportunities because of your geographical location.There might be a deficit or surplus of teachers in certain areas.It might be difficult to get a job in any subject area.
Step 14: The subject areas need to be investigated.
It is advisable to research the job market in advance if you are concerned about employment prospects.You may be able to find math teachers or bilingual teachers in the school districts near you.Potential outcomes of a job market search include choosing to become trained in multiple topics or training extensively in one academic subject.Some districts give money to their teachers for training.If you're in a critically-needed subject area, some districts and states will help you pay off your student loans.Teach for America is one of the programs that will help train and place you in areas where teachers are needed.
Step 15: There are certification requirements for teaching K-12.
Ahead of time, you need to be aware of any requirements.You can get a list of requirements by visiting your district's website or calling their main office.Depending on the subject or age level you teach, you may be required to complete a particular type of degree.Gain teaching experience.To become certified in your topic of choice, take specific subject area exams.Depending on your state, requirements vary greatly.
Step 16: There are requirements for a research degree.
Determine a subject and grade level, then consider the degree you will need to teach it.This can vary from state to state.An accredited teacher preparation program is needed for elementary teachers.Middle school teachers may need a bachelor's degree from an accredited teacher preparation program.A minor in education is required for high school teachers to enroll in a teacher preparation program.College professors need a master's degree in order to be competitive.To make sure the topics hold your interest, read the list of courses you must take and the course descriptions.
Step 17: You can browse employment notices.
You can get a good idea of what subject areas will provide the most opportunity for you by browsing district employment pages.Before you make a decision, take some time to understand the demand side of the equation.Take a look at the school district websites to see if there are any incentives for teachers in certain subject areas.To find out if private schools are hiring more in certain subject areas, browse internet job websites.Consider contacting independent school placement firms to see if they can give you an idea of what schools are looking for in terms of subject area teachers.