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Isabella
Student
Mountainside, New Jersey
1
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What is the best way to becoming a teacher?
I'm currently a college Freshman intending to major in Spanish and Math to become both a Spanish and Math teacher. #Spring25
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2 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
2450
Answers
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Isabella !
Becoming a teacher is one of the most important careers you can pursue, so I would like to give you some advice before you speak with your academic counselor about the best path that will prepare you for a path that will be effective for you !
My first piece of advice is that you should major in Education, not Spanish or Math. You are going to need to prepare yourself as an educator and you will be able to teach subjects. You will also need to be qualified to get your teaching certification In your state of New Jersey, You will need to Major in and obtain your Bachelors Degree in Education, Elementary Education, or Early Childhood Education to teach in preschool, kindergarten, or elementary school. It is said that you can major in either the Spanish or the Math for high school teaching, but I highly recommend that you get your degree in Education. You can look into minoring in in math or Spanish. I don't know any teachers that majored in a different subject for their Bachelors - they all have degrees in Education. Some taught multiple subjects, too. Check this out with your academic counselor first before doing anything.
Part of being a teacher is that you will have great resources that will help you do lesson plans for the subjects you teach. The teachers I had in a state close to yours taught every subject till I was in 8th grade. Check to see if this is the case in your state. The people at the Education Department would know.
In addition to the degree, your state requires that you take a Teacher Preparation Program. It is a program for which you do field work and clinical practice.
Getting a Bachelors Degree in education will prepare you for the two tests that your state requires. The tests you'll take are the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test and the Praxis II Subject Assessment/Specialty Area tests, one for the Math and one for the Spanish that you want to teach. After passing the exams, you apply for your certification through the New Jersey Department of Education and obtain an Instructional Certificate.
New Jersey doesn't require a Masters Degree to teach up to high school, but explore what is required in case you eventually would like to teach in a college. You didn't mention at what level you intend to teach.
Verify this with your academic counselor because getting the Bachelors in Education may be important for career advancement if you ever want to be a Principal of a school or work in Board Administration. A degree in Math or a degree in Spanish will have very little marketability in case later on you want to transition to a different career. The Education Degree will carry more weight for prospective employment. Run this by the chairperson of the Education Department at your college to verify this.
So, this is the best advice I can share with you but always verify this with faculty and staff in the Education Department at your school. There should also be a Career Center at your college that you can consult with as well.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Becoming a teacher is one of the most important careers you can pursue, so I would like to give you some advice before you speak with your academic counselor about the best path that will prepare you for a path that will be effective for you !
My first piece of advice is that you should major in Education, not Spanish or Math. You are going to need to prepare yourself as an educator and you will be able to teach subjects. You will also need to be qualified to get your teaching certification In your state of New Jersey, You will need to Major in and obtain your Bachelors Degree in Education, Elementary Education, or Early Childhood Education to teach in preschool, kindergarten, or elementary school. It is said that you can major in either the Spanish or the Math for high school teaching, but I highly recommend that you get your degree in Education. You can look into minoring in in math or Spanish. I don't know any teachers that majored in a different subject for their Bachelors - they all have degrees in Education. Some taught multiple subjects, too. Check this out with your academic counselor first before doing anything.
Part of being a teacher is that you will have great resources that will help you do lesson plans for the subjects you teach. The teachers I had in a state close to yours taught every subject till I was in 8th grade. Check to see if this is the case in your state. The people at the Education Department would know.
In addition to the degree, your state requires that you take a Teacher Preparation Program. It is a program for which you do field work and clinical practice.
Getting a Bachelors Degree in education will prepare you for the two tests that your state requires. The tests you'll take are the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test and the Praxis II Subject Assessment/Specialty Area tests, one for the Math and one for the Spanish that you want to teach. After passing the exams, you apply for your certification through the New Jersey Department of Education and obtain an Instructional Certificate.
New Jersey doesn't require a Masters Degree to teach up to high school, but explore what is required in case you eventually would like to teach in a college. You didn't mention at what level you intend to teach.
Verify this with your academic counselor because getting the Bachelors in Education may be important for career advancement if you ever want to be a Principal of a school or work in Board Administration. A degree in Math or a degree in Spanish will have very little marketability in case later on you want to transition to a different career. The Education Degree will carry more weight for prospective employment. Run this by the chairperson of the Education Department at your college to verify this.
So, this is the best advice I can share with you but always verify this with faculty and staff in the Education Department at your school. There should also be a Career Center at your college that you can consult with as well.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
fredrica owusu
student
4
Answers
Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Updated
fredrica’s Answer
The best way to become a teacher is to start by earning a degree in Education or a related field, depending on the level or subject you'd like to teach. You should also complete a teacher preparation program to gain hands-on experience through fieldwork or internships. Passing the necessary certification exams required in your region is essential, as is staying updated on teaching methods and resources. Finally, demonstrating passion, adaptability, and effective communication skills will help you thrive in the profession.