Some possible jobs within this career area are:
Most teachers need at least a Bachelor’s Degree, but depending on your state and career path, you might need a post-graduate teaching certificate or a Master’s Degree. Some school districts also require that teachers return to school for certification or other career development every few years.
Most colleges or universities offer these forms of certification:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- Teaching Certificate
- PhD
Teachers, specifically good teachers, are always needed and in demand. Municipal taxes pay for public schools, which means that your area’s economy can dictate the school district budget and the number of jobs for teachers. To remain competitive in the job market, teachers often return to school to get their Master’s Degree. Some school districts tenure their teachers, which can be excellent for job stability.
Most teachers need a four-year degree, but some school districts require a Master’s Degree, which can add two to three more years of study. A typical teaching certificate takes between two and three years to earn.
How to Become a High School Teacher
A high school teaching career usually means specializing in one subject such as math, English, or science. Many who become a high school teacher also help students discover their potential careers, oversee study periods, monitor extracurricular programs, and organize field trips. High school teachers work with a diverse population of student backgrounds and must keep their skills updated to reflect the latest technology.
All public school teachers must be licensed by the state in which they work; licensure requirements typically include holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. To become a high school teacher you will also have to choose a specialty subject such as mathematics or English and take concentrated coursework in the chosen area. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) private school high school teaching careers do not require a license but usually still require a bachelor’s degree in education.
Typically, when you enter college to become a high school teacher your first two years will consist of core classes such as science, mathematics, English, psychology, and social science with a major and extra classes in the subject you plan to teach. The third and fourth years of college will be focused in a teacher education program with courses such as teaching methods, psychology of learning, and the philosophy of education as well as computer technology classes that pertain to the profession. The last year also includes teaching in a classroom under the supervision of a mentor; some programs include classroom teaching as a fifth year of the teacher education program.
There are many federal and state financial aid programs available for those who are planning a high school teaching career, especially in high-need areas such as math, science, bilingual education, and in low-income areas. According to the Department of Education many teaching students receive grants, scholarships, and loan forgiveness in return for agreeing to teach in a specific area for a certain number of years.
High School Teacher Salaries
High school teacher salaries are included with all levels of teaching by the BLS, which reports that annual median teacher wage in 2008 as being between $47,100 and $51,180. Salary.com states that the average high school teacher salary in 2010 was $53,773; according to a survey by All Education Schools the average salary in 2009 was $55,150 with a range of all high school teacher salaries being from $34,600 to $82,000. Teachers in high-demand subjects earn the highest salaries. (Salary data retrieved 5/29/11)
Many who become high school teachers augment their teaching salary by tutoring, coaching, or working within or outside of the school system during the summer vacation months.
To get the education you need to become a high school teacher, find a degree program now!