Does anybody know any helpful skills or general background knowledge to help me on my way to become a teacher?

Question

The specific subject is English

Answer 1

Yes, you will need to be a great People Pleaser.  This will all make sense after your second year of teaching.  Don't make a wave, and your victories will be small.  Miniscule.

Answer 2

Running is a necessary skill.   Run away from teaching as fast as you can.

- 31 years as a teacher in NYC schools.

Answer 3

Read widely, write daily.

Volunteer to work with youth ( 4-H, Scouts etc.)-- this helps you get comfortable with different age groups and gives you opportunities to practice your leadership skills.

Check out those college level learning videos( CDs now) on subjects such as history of English language, etymology, Shakespearean culture etc. You need to know the history and culture of the novels you are studying/ teaching.

Other areas which will help you be a better teacher:  multiple intelligences, differentiation of instruction, Six Traits of good writing, Step up to Writing , MLA and APA styles, library science  etc. Be prepared to teach different levels  in your class.  Mainstreaming is "in"  at the moment.

Also, sometimes the final decision between hiring two people is how much the new teacher can help with extracurricular activities. Develop a special skill or talent that will allow you to do something extracurricular such as  be the staff sponsor for the yearbook, school newspaper, speech and debate team etc.    I got my first job, in part ,because I could sponsor the school home ec club. My second job I got partly because I agreed to coach the volleyball and the chess teams. At another job, I taught gifted and talented enrichment classes one night a week.

The bottom line is : try to be well rounded and well grounded.