Any advice for a teen that wants to become a teacher?
437707
For now you can begin by seeing if there are any clubs for future teachers.  At my hs we had Future Teachers of America (FTA).  There may also be electives that allow you to spend time in an elementary or preschool setting.  Before you make up your mind, please volunteer or spend time in a classroom.  You will not know that is your calling for sure until you experience it.  I started college with a major in biology education. I spent time in several classroom settings until I found out what was right for me and changed my major.  If you need any information about teaching, please contact me!  I will tell you the good and bad of what being an elementary teacher is like these days.
597276
I had some great teachers when I was in elementary-h.s. and the best ones influenced me to go on and be a teacher myself. What I learned from them, I applied in my classroom. What I learned from the not so good teachers (thank goodness those were very few) I remembered never to do in my class.\n\nI went back and thanked my high school teachers who had an impact on me. I told them that they had such an impact, it influenced my future to become a teacher. It is one of the best things you can do for someone who did something positive in your life...reward them by telling them that.
50547
Can you narrow down your focus a bit?  Are you wanting to go into the classroom?  If so, at what level?\n\nI know for a fact that there is a dire need for middle school educators -- grades 6 through 8.  One of the best universities for that level is Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.  For additional information on the program, contact Dr. Ken McEwen there.  The school's website is appstate.edu.\n\nBest wishes!  Teaching is a noble, but challenging, career!
425569
It's a great job with the normal headaches and red tape b.s.\n\nI believe the most important teachers are the primary teachers. If the kids get a good handle on reading and writing at the early stages, things go much easier.\n\nGet your master's degree as soon as possible because the extra money is nice. Vacation days and health insurance is usually pretty good in most school districts. Retirement for a teacher makes social security a joke.\n\nIf you do become a teacher, have high goals of achievement for the kids and yourself. Make earning an "A" difficult. It should be. Forget self-esteem psychology and work on self-acceptance.\n\nGood Luck
991954
The first thing you need to do is get enrolled in a teacher training program at a local university or college. Also, you  could look of the Department of Education online. It would be easy to find by doing a search. For example, if you wanted to teach in Ohio, you would do a search for Ohio's Department of Education website.
654370
Welcome to the profession!\n\nFirst, if your district does not assign mentors for first year teachers, ask your principal to recommend someone in your building that is experienced, friendly, and has excellent classroom management skills. Plan to have regular observations, both him/her observing your room, and you observing theirs, and discussions with them about it.\nSecond, get to know your specialists...ELL teachers, special ed teachers, music/art/PE/library teachers, etc. Be aware of their strengths, and turn to them when planning for and developing instructional strategies for students in your class.\nThird, avoid "clique" participation. Stay open and friendly, as much as you can, with all staff, but stay away from becoming a part of any small sub-group, especially gossipy groups.\nFinally, have detailed plans way ahead of time, and then expect to change those plans daily. Having the overall structure in place ahead of time gives you a scaffold from which to do your daily adjustments.\n\nClassroom management is 90% of the success of your classroom. Set clear, simple rules and consequences, and be firm, inflexible, and fair in implementing those rules and consequences. Plan and practice classroom routine the first couple of days (what do you want your kids to do, step by step, when they need to sharpen a pencil, use the bathroom, get a drink of water, finish their work, etc., etc.).\n\nGood luck!
576488
Remember that teaching in real life and teaching "concepts" and "methods" they teach you in school are very very different.  You have to be resourceful, patient, resilient, confident, creative, and strong!!!  Dealing with students daily is not easy and sometimes feel like a battle.  Also, there is a lot of politics involved with the administration and parents.  Be prepared for the worst and reap your rewards!
396634
As a teacher, I could offer a few tips:\n\n1. Ask your teacher for extra help after school. He or she should be willing to make sure you understand the subject; plus it shows the instructor that you truly care. In addition, see if you can get a classmate to tutor you in any subject you might have difficulty in.\n\n2. Conduct group studies. You'd be surprised to discover how much you can learn studying with friends -- if you remain on topic. Creating a study group the night or two before a big exam could really help you prepare.\n\n3. Eliminate distractions during your study time. Turn you cell phone on vibrate. Turn off the television. Don't pay attention to your AIM. Give your text/notebook/worksheet your undivided attention.\n\nThese are just a few that should help your study habits.
979715
Do you want to teach high school?\n\nDo you have a degree in education?\n\nIf you have a degree in education you need to determing which state in the US you want to teach in. You of course would need a work permit because you are from another country and a visa, etc.\n\nBut as far as teaching each state has different requirements. You would need to contact the state that you have interest in (board of education) and see which tests, etc. you need to take in order to get a license in that state.\n\nIf you want to teach at the university it is much simpler. You need at least a masters degree but it does not have to be in education. Simply contact a university that is hiring in your field and inquire. To teach at this level you would just need to get the work permits, etc. and would need to get a license for teaching.
332720
Dress conservatively.  Be prepared to talk about your philosophy of education, your love of children, your commitment.  Elementary teachers need patience, humor, understanding, the ability to handle a ton of paperwork, organization, creativity.  I would prepare a portfolio of lesson plan ideas, even if you are a new teacher.  I would use a lot of graphics and make it pretty.  You could do an overall packet, including a letter of expressing interest in the job, your resume, letters of recommendation, grade transcripts, sample lesson plans, and your credential.  Put it all together in a notebook.  Find out as much as you can about the school before you go to interview.  What is the make-up of the student body, etc. Watch the body language and vocabulary of the interviewer.  Use the same verbs, nouns and adjectives as the interviewer, as these are important to the inviewer.  Be honest with yourself as to whether you really like the administrators, school, etc.  If you don't, find another school.  Good luck. Teaching elementary school can be one of the most fulfillingng jobs there is.
1051758
It is wonderful that you want to work in special ed, especially with autistics! \n\nHere are some things you can do as a teenager to prepare:\n\nRead as much as you can about autism, and other special needs.\n\nContact the autism parent community in your area and explain who you are, what you have been learning, and that you would like to offer yourself as a babysitter. Show you are serious by being able to give some basic information on autism, sensory integration dysfunction, TEACCH, PECS, Applied Behavior Analysis... and other programs and vocabulary. \n\nOffer to do volunteer work for that parent support group over the summer.\n\nCheck with your high school about students as teachers' assistants for single class periods. Ask to have one of your electives be as a teachers' assistant in the self-contained and/or autism programs. Be sure to have discussed this with the teacher in question, first... show what you know, explain your interest, etc.\n\nWhen you are in your junior/senior years of high school, and in college, work as a summer camp counselor at autism summer camps, and as a volunteer in autism programs both in schools and in your community.\n\nAfter you graduate high school:\n\nIf you have kept your grades up, you can apply to one of the better autism training colleges:\n\nhttp://edpsych.ed.sc.edu/pse/programs.html\n\nhttp://www.teacch.com/\n\nOr you can train at your nearest teaching college special education department, making sure to grab lots of human development, psychology, and behavioral courses. \n\nWhile you are getting your college degree, apply to work as a teacher's assistant or substitute teacher with your nearby school district. That experience can make a huge difference when you finally get your license and your own classroom.\n\nHere's a place or two to start your reading:\n\nhttp://www.autismweb.com/education.htm\n\nhttp://www.wrightslaw.com/info/autism.index.htm
36939
To be a teacher of any kind you will need college.  But to prepare in high school you will need your science classes, math, health, and p.e.  Chase your dream and reach for the stars.
754669
why not? if u have the passion to teach, go for it. teaching is something nice. just follow ur heart.
228029
try talking to the teacher and see if they will prvide you with the appropriate material or at least point you in the right direction.
474933
Check with your local community college to see if they have non-credit community electives taught by non-certified people who just love what their doing. That's about as far as you can get.\n\nIf you really are serious about becoming a career teacher, then you must go on to get the degree(s) and certifications. Check with your university advising center.
428353
I love how many people make stuff up just for those 2 points!\n\nYou MUST have a degree in teaching to teach (NCLB "highly qualified"), but the degrees you already have are an excellent "plus." \n\nFirst, go to your nearest teaching college/university (NOT online) and ask to speak to a graduate school/education college counselor. They can give you information on the various acceptable certification coursework/programs in your state. The university should be able to guide you through the certification process and the various choices open to you.\n\nSecond, sign up as a substitute teacher in your local school district. While the coursework at the university is needed to make the state certification board happy, the actual classroom experience you get as a substitute is invaluable to YOU. It is remarkable, the difference between a first-year teacher with substitute experience, and one without. Substitute teachers also have supports that full teachers in their first years don't (especially for discipline).\n\nThird, give some volunteer time to children's programs not through the public schools (e.g. scouts, church groups, etc.). More than one environmental perspective is valuable, and it looks darn good on a resume.
248537
The best way to find out is probably by asking your school counsellor. Maintain a high GPA and if possible, be active in school by joining clubs and what-not. Build relationship with teachers (make sure they know you) so that they could write recommendation letters for you when the time comes.