How do you become a teacher in the USA?

Question

I wanted to know how you become a teacher in the USA. I'm from Scotland and have been thinking about teaching (High School) from a long time. Over here, generally speaking you get a Degree in the subject you want to teach (4 years) and then a Post Grad in High School teaching (1 year). Then you are a teacher.

I want to know the route you need to take over in the USA to teach there. I want to teach either History, Art and English. Or a combination of them. Please let me know

-Teacher to be

Answer 1

The requirements vary from state to state. For example, I live in California but went to college in Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, I got a degree in "English Education." After completing my degree and passing multiple tests to prove my master of the subject matter, I earned a preliminary certificate. After a year teaching, being monitored by a more experienced teacher, my principal, and a university mentor, I was given a professional credential.

Then I moved to California, where I was required to complete 30 units past a bachelor's degree, take more tests, and complete the BTSA (beginning teacher support and assessment) program. I also had to earn an additional certificate to enable me to teach students whose first language was not English. I was given a "preliminary" credential after moving here, so I could work while I met the additional California requirements.

My sister currently teaches in Oklahoma, but she went through their "alternative" certification program. She had to have a bachelor's degree, pass a test and interview, and complete an "induction" year.

Contrary to the first poster's response, teachers are not paid a "full year's" salary for 9 months of work. In every district where I've worked, my salary has been based on the number of days I worked. If the school year was 180 days, I got paid for maybe 183 (180 days of teaching, plus 3 inservice days). I did not get paid for things like open house, parent-teacher conferences, sponsoring student activities that often happen on weekends, grading papers into the night, or working on school-related things during "vacations." Teachers actually get no paid vacation--it's just that we either SAVE our money to live over the summer, get summer jobs, or request that the district pay us our 10-month salary over 12 months.

Answer 2

Since the Bush administration has been in power, the stipulations on foreign students are much more difficult. It is better to apply for the Student Visa from outside the country and then come in. They do not look favorably on people who come here and then apply. Once you receive your degree, you will have 6 months to find a job and if you don't you have to leave. The visa you will try to get is the H1B. You can only get it if the institution that hires you agrees to do the paperwork. Here's the bad news. We are having massive cuts in the USA and given your major, I seriously doubt that you will find a job, especially in the public school. Many public schools do not hire foreign teachers. You may or may not get a job in a private school, which means low pay and poor benefits. Even that with your major is iffy. I know this is something you don't want to hear but I think you should know how hard it is to get hired here. Plus as an International student you will pay much higher university fees than an American. I have a friend who had a master's in computer science and who was a genius with the best references. He had to return to Spain. It was painful. Please go to the U.S. INS website and make sure you really understand what it will take. Our doors are mostly closed to Western Europeans. This is unfortunate and a drag, but I am giving you the truth as I know it.

Answer 3

The qualifications are a BA degree for sure (that's 4 years of college), then it depends on whether you want to teach in private schools or in the public school system. For public schools, you need a teaching certification in the state you want to teach in. Private schools are more flexible and you can more easily find a job with the 4 year college degree.

Answer 4

to become a teacher in particular field,you need mastery in that subject.you require good management ability to control many students.communication skills also needed for filling the gap between teacher and student.a good teacher require bulding talent skills.your work is not only teach but to build best student of your subject,as many you will build students,you improve.you have to look for long term planning.so take time in making particular student' master'.

Answer 5

Typically a Bachelors degree, then some time student teaching and substituting. Until your offered full time.

Answer 6

First you must want to be payed a full years salary for working 9 months, then complain that you do not make enough when you don't even really teach and pass people who can't read and do math.