Teaching Degree Center
Teaching degrees are a must for those hoping to work in the education field. They provide aspiring educators with the theoretical and practical skills needed to provide quality instruction and education to their students. The type of degree needed can vary depending on location and the type of school, but generally a bachelor’s degree is required before launching a teaching career. However, a two-year associate’s degree can also pave the way for wide range of jobs and careers in education, such as teacher’s assistant or childcare specialist. Master’s degrees and doctorate degrees offer advanced courses of study for those who may wish to move into supervisory positions or earn higher salaries. Online teaching degree programs offer degrees at all levels, from associate to doctorate.
Teaching and Education Degrees:
RT @nmeacs: Teaching shortages exist in Mathematics, Science, Computer science and English as a Second Language.
— TCD (@teacherdegrees) May 7, 2013
Teaching Degrees By Level
The type of teaching degree you need depends on what kind of teaching job or career you intend to pursue. Some teaching jobs do not require a bachelor’s degree. Other teaching jobs have varying requirements. For example, to become a substitute teacher, you may need a bachelor’s degree in addition to a special substitute teaching license. Browsing the many types of teaching degrees available is the first step in learning how to become a teacher.
Teacher Certification Degrees is a one-stop resource for all the details you’ll need on which type of degree to pursue. Our associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degree pages provide comprehensive information on what it takes to earn each degree, in addition to what kind of jobs a graduate will qualify for with each degree. Then just browse our schools listing to find which schools offer the degree you need to launch a fulfilling and rewarding career as a teacher.
Teaching Degree Career Outlook
The U.S. Department of Education reports that in the fall of 2009, a projected 3.7 million full-time elementary and secondary school teachers taught in the classroom. This number has gone up 12 percent since 1999. In the decade to come, the career outlook for teachers will vary from good to excellent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, BLS statistics show that some schools are having difficulty finding enough quality teachers to fill the jobs available, especially in urban areas. Math and science teachers are in high demand, as well as ESL teachers and those who speak a foreign language. Earning a teaching degree will prepare you for these and many other varied jobs within the field of education – from history teacher to instructional technology specialist. Online teacher education programs offer a wide range of teaching degrees, which are an especially convenient option for students who need flexibility in their studies.
Top U.S. States to be a Teacher
Below is a map of the top 10 states in the U.S. to be a teacher. See TCD’s Best States to be a Teacher Index for the entire list and more details.
Advice for New Teachers
“As soon as you begin preparing for your teaching career, find support wherever you can, whether it is with co-workers or with your online personal learning network (PLN). Ask for help, accept suggestions, visit as many classrooms as possible, and work to find your teaching voice.” -Kathryn Laster, Texas math teacher
“There will most likely be a student who tests you, or presses your buttons. While it can be your greatest challenge, try to connect with that student. This is crucial because if you can find a way to make that student shine, then you are doing your job well.” -Marisa Kaplan, New York instructional coach and prior elementary teacher in New York
“I wish I had known and been taught more about standards-based grading, research-based teaching and assessing methods. As I have researched more about these, my teaching has improved and I’ve learned more effective ways to teach and assess. My students’ grades are better, they are learning more and they are having a much more enjoyable time in my class.” -Chris Mitchell, science teacher in South Korea
“Be prepared to clearly articulate your learning goals and assessments. As teachers, we like to think lessons are about learning, but to many students and parents they are more grade centric. If you have clear assessment policies and expectations, it will make your job easier.” -Lisa Butler, Pennsylvania middle school Spanish teacher
“Don’t expect yourself to be perfect at everything at once. Pick the two most important areas of instruction in your teaching assignment and hone in on crafting those skills. When I began teaching, I focused on small-group reading instruction and math because I felt those areas would have the strongest impact on my students’ success.” -Megan Favre, Texas third grade language arts teacher
“There’s a huge amount of expectation among brand-new teachers. I would encourage them to stick with it. I know that a lot of them give up and say ‘It’s just too much.’ But, I think that teaching, in many ways, is a calling, and despite the fact that American society has been undervaluing their teachers, I would encourage them to keep at it because the rewards are great when working with others.” -Jon Bergmann, co-author of Flip Your Classroom
Page edited by Charles Sipe.
