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I want to be a teacher and what are ways that I can prepare for that journey ?

Im going to college and I want to be a future teacher.

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Julie’s Answer

Hey there! It's absolutely fantastic that you're thinking about pursuing a career in teaching! It is truly a noble and rewarding profession.

Remember, it's essential to focus on what excites and inspires you. Plus, ask yourself if you genuinely enjoy engaging with children and individuals with diverse learning styles. Are you willing to be adaptable and embrace change?

It's a great idea to connect with teachers you may know and gain insights from their experiences. Additionally, consider volunteering at schools or organizations as an aide or a classroom helper to get a taste of the teaching environment.

Universities can provide valuable guidance on how to navigate this journey, so choosing a college with a strong education program is an excellent first step. Within the program, they'll guide you through the process of applying for testing, licensure, and everything that follows.

Embrace your passion for teaching and continue to explore this amazing career path. Your future students will be so lucky to have such a dedicated teacher like you!
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Alan’s Answer

Welcome to a noble profession. Obviously the Education classes, along with those in Psychology, that you will be taking in your undergraduate and graduate programs will be of the utmost importance. I just hope they're good ones; a lot of them aren't. In addition to the fieldwork and student teaching you'll be doing, volunteer work in the field would also be extremely helpful. I'd read inspirational books about teaching by the likes of Jonathan Kozol, William Ayers, Leo Buscaglia, Lilian Katz, Parker Palmer, Robert Fulghum, Sylvia Ashton Warner and David Elkind, among others. There are a lot of them. I'd also do a little exploring of the pioneering work done in the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, to help see beyond the stifled way we Americans see education. On a personal level, I'd work on developing my writing, speaking, organizational and interpersonal skills, so as to become the best teacher you can be. Finally, I'd think about the best teachers you have had and what you remember them for. You'll realize that it had very little to do with letters and numbers, and even less to do with standardized tests and homework (both of which should be banished from the field), and a lot to do with how they treated and inspired you and your fellow students and what kind of role model they were.
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Ryan’s Answer

Great question, in addition to what the other two people have responded with I would also add, being a teacher can mean a lot of different things. There are a lot of teaching jobs that aren't traditional classroom teachers. There are afterschool programs, adult education, corporate training, things like that. All of these would require different things, I would think about what you're passionate about teaching and start there, different areas would require different certifications or degrees. Working in non-traditional areas like afterschool programs can also help you build real world experience that will help you build your career.
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T.J.’s Answer

Hello Anon!

I feel the best way to prepare for becoming a teacher is to reflect on what your passionate about.

It sounds cheesy, but being a teacher involves a lot of passion towards a specifc subject and encouraging a love of learning to kids.

What subjects do you enjoy the most right now?
Math, English, Art? Sciences, like chemistry, physics, or biology?

If you enjoy learning about something, then you'll likely have the ability to share your enthusiasm with students in the future.

There's many types of teachers for age groups as well. Some focus on K-5 grade, 6-8 grade, or high school.

Consider which ages you want to work with. Do you enjoy spending time with younger kids, or older kids?

A good way to figure out which you'll enjoy more is to volunteer or work part-time in a kid setting.

You can join or go into:
- An after school program
- A summer camp
- A daycare
- A babysitting business
- Babysitting of your siblings, if you have any
- A youth program focused on mentorship
- A library and read books to younger kids, or help older kids with homework.

Lastly, talk to your teachers! They'll have the best information about becoming a teacher, because... well, they already completed their journey!
Once you know your interests, you can select a major that reflects your future goals.

Sending you good luck as you start your journey into teaching :)
Thank you comment icon You rock! This advice is very helpful. CareerVillage Office Hours
Thank you comment icon I'm glad! Happy to help :) T.J. Worthy
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