3 answers
Kaelyn
Student
Hopewell, Virginia
5
Questions
Updated
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What are some skills I need to have to become a teacher if I already work with kids?
I help teach dance classes and help take care of my cousins.
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3 answers
Fred Rosenberger
Data Analyst
458
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Fred’s Answer
If you are asking how to become an elementary school teacher, the answer will vary somewhat by what state you live in. Generally, you'd need to get a college degree in elementary education. This usually takes four years. There may be additional requirements, such as certification exams, but I don't know for sure.
You could probably speak to one of your current or past teachers. I'd be pretty sure most would be happy to guide you, or point you in the right direction. If you are in high school, you should also have a counselor who's job is to help get you on the right path for your career. Try getting an appointment with them, and see what they say.
You could probably speak to one of your current or past teachers. I'd be pretty sure most would be happy to guide you, or point you in the right direction. If you are in high school, you should also have a counselor who's job is to help get you on the right path for your career. Try getting an appointment with them, and see what they say.
Melody Tharpe
Education - Teacher
166
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Melody’s Answer
https://www.publicservicedegrees.org/careers/working-with-children/
Working with Children May Be Right for You If …
You enjoy being kept on your toes
Children are unpredictable, so working with them requires the ability to effectively handle unexpected situations that will inevitably arise. As a result, workers need to be flexible and effective at thinking on their feet.
You are energetic
Children (especially young children) tend to be active and boisterous, so you should also be energetic in order to keep up with them since they may have a hard time sitting still.
You can stay calm and level-headed
Working with children can be frustrating at times. If you choose to pursue a career working with them, you have to be able to keep your composure in stressful situations, as well as during emergencies.
You connect to your inner child
Children are filled with creativity and imagination, so in order to work well with them, you should be able to channel to the carefree, childlike part of yourself.
You love spending time with children
All of the preparation and training in the world won’t matter if you don’t truly love spending time with children. To be successful in careers working with children, you have to enjoy being around them all day—even when they’re challenging and frustrating you.
Working with Children May Be Right for You If …
You enjoy being kept on your toes
Children are unpredictable, so working with them requires the ability to effectively handle unexpected situations that will inevitably arise. As a result, workers need to be flexible and effective at thinking on their feet.
You are energetic
Children (especially young children) tend to be active and boisterous, so you should also be energetic in order to keep up with them since they may have a hard time sitting still.
You can stay calm and level-headed
Working with children can be frustrating at times. If you choose to pursue a career working with them, you have to be able to keep your composure in stressful situations, as well as during emergencies.
You connect to your inner child
Children are filled with creativity and imagination, so in order to work well with them, you should be able to channel to the carefree, childlike part of yourself.
You love spending time with children
All of the preparation and training in the world won’t matter if you don’t truly love spending time with children. To be successful in careers working with children, you have to enjoy being around them all day—even when they’re challenging and frustrating you.
Jerry Tingstad
Professor/middle school teacher/48 years
91
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
First: Pay particular attention to Melody's answer. Full of practical in-class insight from one who has experience.
Then Fred goes through the educational aspect.
And you obviously have a good attitude toward people that age. Help in dance classes especially. I certainly hope there are many more like you.
And attitude is an excellent beginning.
The one thing I would add is to visit a grade school or two in your area. Introduce yourself and explain that you wish to be a teacher. With a little luck you may be able to discuss your hope to be a teacher with those in the field. And with more luck they may invite you to sit in on a class or two. Given the situation, just maybe you would have the opportunity to put together an exercise for the students and you to do together. But that depends upon the situation.
In addition, considering where you are located, there hopefully be more than one institution of higher education where one can obtain a degree in elementary education. Perhaps talk to your school counselor regarding choices. Most schools of education mandate a semester as a practicum. Working full time at a grade school. This is quite important, I should think, as it's a good opportunity to test out what you have learned combined with your positive personality toward grade school aged students.
And one thing in addition: when you are actually in the field and have a class. Let them know that you are all a single unit. You're all in this together. You are all insiders. Everybody works together with everybody. Which, of course, includes the teacher.
You obviously have the right personality for this sort of career. Go for it.
Then Fred goes through the educational aspect.
And you obviously have a good attitude toward people that age. Help in dance classes especially. I certainly hope there are many more like you.
And attitude is an excellent beginning.
The one thing I would add is to visit a grade school or two in your area. Introduce yourself and explain that you wish to be a teacher. With a little luck you may be able to discuss your hope to be a teacher with those in the field. And with more luck they may invite you to sit in on a class or two. Given the situation, just maybe you would have the opportunity to put together an exercise for the students and you to do together. But that depends upon the situation.
In addition, considering where you are located, there hopefully be more than one institution of higher education where one can obtain a degree in elementary education. Perhaps talk to your school counselor regarding choices. Most schools of education mandate a semester as a practicum. Working full time at a grade school. This is quite important, I should think, as it's a good opportunity to test out what you have learned combined with your positive personality toward grade school aged students.
And one thing in addition: when you are actually in the field and have a class. Let them know that you are all a single unit. You're all in this together. You are all insiders. Everybody works together with everybody. Which, of course, includes the teacher.
You obviously have the right personality for this sort of career. Go for it.