I'm an undergraduate and I'm thinking about becoming a high school teacher. How do I become one?

Question

Right now I have an AA Degree from a community college and I'm currently taking classes for a communication degree. What do I do to become a high school teacher? How much do high school teachers get paid? What classes can I teach if I'm going to have a communications degree from a California State University? Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer 1

I'm sorry to say, but your degree will allow you to teach nothing. In order to teach high school, you have to have a concentration in a subject area that high schools teach. You may want to see how difficult it would be to switch to majoring in English. Then, you'll have to minor in Education and take a semester of student teaching. When this is complete, you will probably graduate with a teaching license, but more likely you will have to pass your state teaching examinations, which aren't cheap to take, and can be difficult to pass.

A better way for you, though, may be to continue on and get your BA in communication. Then, most states have an "Alternative Road to Education", where you will take additional classes with other aspiring teachers for about 12 weeks, and this includes a student teaching. You can then apply for teaching jobs, and will have to do some other required work during your first couple of teaching years that is required by the state.

Teacher's salaries vary state to state, and even district to district. Inner-city teachers have higher starting pay, but obviously have their own concerns and a high drop out rate. In my district, which is small and in Connecticut (2nd highest paying state behind Alaska), starting teachers make about $33,000 per year. In Vermont, you're looking at about $24,000 to start.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

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