Would like to know how to become a teacher.?

Question

I am interested in becoming a 4th thru 8th grade teacher. I am currently enrolled in a 2 year community college in Houston. I spoke to the counselors but they are usually no help. I would like to become a teaches as soon as possible. But would like to know whether I need a 4 year degree or could I start with a 2 year and pursue a 4 year degree. Or is the 2 year degree only to become a substitute teacher. If anyone can help I will greatly appreciate it.

Answer 1

you can start as a paraprofessional with a 2 year but some schools are hiring 2 year for certain teaching jobs it really depends on the city ans state. I have a two year and I am 2nd grade math teacher.

Answer 2

The college that you are attending should have an Educational Program.  Find out what courses you need to complete elementary and middle school studies.  You would have to be certified in order to teach.  Usually it takes four years - two of which you spend in your course studies, one year of "how to teach" and the final year, you would spend as a "student teacher" - completing the process under a professional teacher in her classroom.  You would be given the opportunity to plan your lessons and teach for a part of a semester.  I want to wish you the best because we need teachers - teachers who are called - and dedicated to the cause of teaching young people. Please note that the actual work is nothing like they 'teach you' in school.  Many of the students today have major problems and the new teacher has to be willing and dedicated to deal with all kinds of cultures and subcultures in a classroom.  Today -it's classroom management that is the big issue.

Answer 3

I'm going to say you will need at least a 4 year degree. You may be able to get hired on with an "emergency credential." (Means your working as a teacher while getting your credential. I know our district had to do away with these because of NCLB.) It completely depends on the your state and your school district.

You might try consulting this website for anymore questions you might have:

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/

Answer 4

I'm a retired teacher, and I know of only two ways in my state,(New Jersey). I'm reasonably sure other stares may have different criteria, so if I were you, I'd contact the state's superintendent, or the governor's office to find out what's required. In New Jersey, you are  required to attend a four year accredited college and obtain a number of ed. courses. I don't know how many now, but it used to be 18 credits. Anyway, you'll graduate with a B.S. in Ed., after which you can apply for certification and look for a job. The second way, and this wouldn't apply to you, is to possess a degree in science or math, with no education credits. Schools are so desperate to fill these positions that they will hire you and allow you to obtain the necessary Ed. credits while you teach.

Good luck! It's the most important job in the world, and often underpaid and unappreciated.You'll probably receive critisism from parents who all seem to want their kids to be brain surgeons, and the kids, God bless 'em, will make you, at  times, want to pull your hair out,(or theirs). Furthermore, you will find that elementary teachers are placed on the lowest rungs of the pecking order ladder. I have never understood why. They lay the foundation for a life-long love of learning and the basics : reading, writing, and arithmatic, that every child needs to continue learning. I taught physics and chemistry, and never understood why elementary teachers were dismissed as light weights. Not only do they have to know everything, but the amount of papers they have to grade is staggering. I always felt they should be paid more than the rest of us. As you can imagine, my opinion did not go over very well with the rest of the staff.

Answer 5

Check the programs at the universities that offer teaching degrees.  I believe it is a 4 year program.  A counselor at a community college won't probably be any help for that.

Answer 6

I would contact the Houston Board of Education and let them tell me, what requirements are needed to become certified. I know how it is to let folk stall you. Don't let stupid people define who you are. Make that appointment, and do it soon. Take the reins and you will be a success. Peace!