How Do I Become A Teacher
Becoming a public school teacher requires the completion of a bachelor’s degree that encompasses a major field of study, such as early childhood education, special education, teaching of English as a second language, English and mathematics, among others.
In Wisconsin, all teacher preparation programs must be based on Wisconsin’s Ten Teacher Standards. These standards, which describe what good teachers must know and be able to do, are as follows:
1. Teachers know the subjects they are teaching.
The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines she or he teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for pupils.
2. Teachers know how children grow.
The teacher understands how children with broad ranges of ability learn and provides instruction that supports their intellectual, social, and personal development.
3. Teachers understand that children learn differently.
The teacher understands how pupils differ in their approaches to learning and the barriers that impede learning and can adapt instruction to meet the diverse needs of pupils, including those with disabilities and exceptionalities.
4. Teachers know how to teach.
The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies, including the use of technology, to encourage children’s development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
5. Teachers know how to manage a classroom.
The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
6. Teachers communicate well.
The teacher uses effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques as well as instructional media and technology to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
7. Teachers are able to plan different kinds of lessons.
The teacher organizes and plans systematic instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, pupils, the community, and curriculum goals.
8. Teachers know how to test for student progress.
The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the pupil.
9. Teachers are able to evaluate themselves.
The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his or her choices and actions on pupils, parents, professionals in the learning community and others and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.
10. Teachers are connected with other teachers and the community.
The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support pupil learning and well-being and acts with integrity, fairness and in an ethical manner.
What courses are taken in a teacher education program?
Required courses generally include professional education courses, such as the history of education and psychology of learning, methods of teaching, teaching a specific subject area, and student teaching in an elementary or secondary school classroom.
How do I choose a teacher education program?
There are several considerations for choosing an education program:
- If you want to teach in a specific setting (urban, rural, or suburban school), think about choosing a college/university in that area. It is likely that student teaching experiences will be in the local schools, providing an opportunity to assess and evaluate them in terms of your preferences and goals. - Think about what size college or teacher education program would be most comfortable for you.
- Ask about opportunities to observe different classrooms and schools in order to see a variety of teaching and school situations to identify factors that determine successful teaching and learning.
- Ask if cooperating teachers (full-time elementary or secondary teachers) are assigned to work with student teachers or if they volunteer. Usually a cooperating teacher is assigned to work with student teachers.
- The length of the teacher program varies. Ask to see a sample course work plan. Know what to expect during your four or five years at the campus.
How do I find out more about teacher education programs?
The best approach is to access the website of the college in which you are interested. You should then go to the School of Education, where you will find valuable information about that college’s specific program.
1. Teachers know the subjects they are teaching.
The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines she or he teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for pupils.
2. Teachers know how children grow.
The teacher understands how children with broad ranges of ability learn and provides instruction that supports their intellectual, social, and personal development.
3. Teachers understand that children learn differently.
The teacher understands how pupils differ in their approaches to learning and the barriers that impede learning and can adapt instruction to meet the diverse needs of pupils, including those with disabilities and exceptionalities.
4. Teachers know how to teach.
The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies, including the use of technology, to encourage children’s development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
5. Teachers know how to manage a classroom.
The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
6. Teachers communicate well.
The teacher uses effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques as well as instructional media and technology to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
7. Teachers are able to plan different kinds of lessons.
The teacher organizes and plans systematic instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, pupils, the community, and curriculum goals.
8. Teachers know how to test for student progress.
The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the pupil.
9. Teachers are able to evaluate themselves.
The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his or her choices and actions on pupils, parents, professionals in the learning community and others and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.
10. Teachers are connected with other teachers and the community.
The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support pupil learning and well-being and acts with integrity, fairness and in an ethical manner.
What courses are taken in a teacher education program?
Required courses generally include professional education courses, such as the history of education and psychology of learning, methods of teaching, teaching a specific subject area, and student teaching in an elementary or secondary school classroom.
How do I choose a teacher education program?
There are several considerations for choosing an education program:
- If you want to teach in a specific setting (urban, rural, or suburban school), think about choosing a college/university in that area. It is likely that student teaching experiences will be in the local schools, providing an opportunity to assess and evaluate them in terms of your preferences and goals. - Think about what size college or teacher education program would be most comfortable for you.
- Ask about opportunities to observe different classrooms and schools in order to see a variety of teaching and school situations to identify factors that determine successful teaching and learning.
- Ask if cooperating teachers (full-time elementary or secondary teachers) are assigned to work with student teachers or if they volunteer. Usually a cooperating teacher is assigned to work with student teachers.
- The length of the teacher program varies. Ask to see a sample course work plan. Know what to expect during your four or five years at the campus.
How do I find out more about teacher education programs?
The best approach is to access the website of the college in which you are interested. You should then go to the School of Education, where you will find valuable information about that college’s specific program.
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