Education School Questions

Q: How do I choose a level for my degree in education?

Before considering what level to choose for a degree in education, remember that nearly all states will allow you to teach without a degree in education as long as you have a bachelor's degree in one of the core academic subjects. This is especially true if you majored in math or a science because teachers of these subjects are always in high demand.

However, if you plan to teach without a degree in education, you will probably want to consider taking some education classes, as well as specializing in whatever subject you hope to teach. Many schools offer dual-degree or double-major programs where students can earn a bachelor’s in education and a bachelor’s in their chosen subject.

The type and level of a degree in education you pursue really depends on what age group you hope to teach. All states require a bachelor’s degree to teach children in grades K-12, though it does not necessarily have to be in education. If you want to teach pre-K or K-6, you might be required to take specialized classes that teach how these groups learn. Special education teachers are often required to earn a master’s degree in special education for certification.

Even if after earning your bachelor’s degree, you decide to enter the work force straight away, keep in mind that you still have the option of earning a master’s or doctorate by attending school part time. Many states require teachers to earn a master’s degree within a specified period after they begin teaching. Earning a master’s degree in education will not only introduce you to new techniques and methods of teaching, but also enable you with the potential of greater earning power.

If it is your goal to teach adults, a bachelor’s degree simply will not be enough. In this situation, in fact, a master’s degree is most likely the minimum, and will let you teach part-time at a junior or community college, or sometimes at the university level in specific subjects such as creative writing. Nearly all professors have earned a Ph.D., which allows them to teach undergraduate and graduate students.

Q: What skills do effective education majors and professionals possess?

Though there are many different types of teachers with various teaching styles, nearly all effective educators share a core set of skills and training. For instance, all public school elementary teachers and secondary teachers are required to hold a bachelor’s degree. While the degree does not necessarily have to be in the teacher’s subject or in education, all certified public-school teachers must pass a competency test in his or her chosen subject area. If you decide to pursue a degree in education, be prepared for long hours of work in-class and out. Since education majors must also be proficient in a subject matter, many choose to double-major or have a strong minor. Most programs also require students to complete extra experience as student teachers while still attending classes.

While a keen understanding of one’s subject matter is essential, it is just one element of being an effective educator. Communication is paramount. Successful teachers know which students are bored and which are falling behind. They can identify when their students do not comprehend the work and can adjust their approach accordingly. The ability to communicate well to people with a varying level of understanding is not something that can necessarily be taught. It comes with practice and experience.

Without control of the classroom, it is nearly impossible to teach. A successful teacher understands that they are a mentor and that they are ultimately in charge of what goes on in his or her classroom. He/she enforces the rules in a fair and consistent manner. This includes making sure everyone does their homework, being patient with students who are having trouble with the material, and making the learning environment fun and exciting.

Beyond this, effective teachers are able to act as counselors when students come to them with problems. As a teacher, you need to be able to talk with students who come to you with their personal problems. It is also important to be able to recognize when a student might be having problems at home that are interfering with his or her school work and to deal with the situation in an appropriate, yet swift manner.

Q: What are the Top 5 Education Professions

1. Elementary/Middle School Teacher -- There are over 2.2 million elementary and middle school teachers in The United States, making it the largest teaching profession nationally. While most elementary school teachers receive accredited age-specific training, middle school teachers often have the choice of teaching middle or high school. This is because there are more students at this level and teacher’s are in higher demand.
2. Post-Secondary Teacher -- Due to this increase in demand for trained higher education professionals, the number of post-secondary teachers and professors, of which there are currently 1,672,000 in the United States, is expected to increase faster than nearly any every other profession in the next eight years. This category includes anyone who teaches at a community college, college or university.
3. High School Teacher - There are 1,133,000 certified high school teachers in the U.S., making it the third largest education profession. Unlike elementary school teachers, who are considered generalists, high school teachers need training in a specific subject, meaning that they often have a subject-specific degree in addition to training in education.
4. Pre-School/Kindergarten Teacher (607,000) -- In recent years a number of studies have showed that early childhood education has a tremendous effect on a child’s ability to learn later in life. As a result, this profession is expected to actually grow at a faster rate than high school, middle school, and elementary school teachers combined.
5. Special Education Teachers -- As citizens have become more aware of the special needs of some students and with the increased understanding of what education for those with special needs entails, the demand for accredited special education teachers has skyrocketed. The current number of special education teachers (about 459,000) is expected to increase by 15 percent by 2016, meaning many more teachers will need special ed training to meet the public need.

Q: How do I choose a teaching specialty?

There are two different things that should be considered when choosing a teaching specialty: subject matter and type of student taught. Teachers usually pick the subject they teach based on what they like and what they excel in. Many states require teachers to hold at least a bachelor’s degree in their chosen subject, and all states require teachers to demonstrate competency by passing a test on the subject. Picking a subject is especially important for teaching older students.

Choosing what type of students to teach is often less obvious than picking an academic subject. And yet, it is incredibly important to figure this out early on in your own schooling because it may determine which classes you should sign up for. Teachers who want to specialize in pre-K or K-3 should take courses like child development, children’s literature, and science education in elementary school. Special education teachers of any age group are required to take even more classes and some states even require a master’s. If you are interested in becoming an adult educator, you may need to start making plans to work towards a masters or doctorate. This takes a substantial amount of planning and financial obligation.

So how should one go about choosing the type of students to teach? The first step should be reflecting upon your own personal life experiences. Do you particularly enjoy watching young children? Have you worked at a pre-school or a summer camp? Maybe you hate kids but love spending long hours talking with adults or speaking in front of large audiences? Reflecting upon these questions and experiences might make the decision more obvious. Otherwise, the best way to decide is to simply give it a try. Work at a summer camp for middle-school students and see if they drive you up the wall. If they don’t, maybe that’s the age group you should teach. Volunteer at an elementary school. T.A. at the local community college. Find out what works and doesn’t work for your personality. This will make your decision much easier.

Q: Does a bachelor’s in education mean that I am certified teacher?

While a bachelor in education helps immensely to prepare for a career in teaching, holding one does not necessarily guarantee that you will be a certified teacher upon graduation. Standards for teacher certification vary widely from state to state, as do education programs from school to school.

If you want to graduate as a certified teacher, look for a school with an in-school certification program. In these programs, students often graduate with dual degrees, one in education and the other in the subject area they want to teach. Other programs award one bachelor’s degree in a student’s area of expertise, while recognizing a minor in education.

While requirements vary from state to state, all require teachers to hold at least a bachelor’s degree in his/her subject of choice, as well as a certain number of college-level education class credits. A minor in education, for example, will often leave you prepared for certification. Prospective teachers must also pass a test in their subject of expertise before they can teach. Whether or not students can take certification tests before graduating depends on school and state policy. Many states require prospective students to serve as assistant teachers before they can receive certification. Most programs offer a chance to fulfill this requirement while attending school.

In some states, a bachelor’s degree in education is not enough to remain permanently certified. Instead, students must also earn a master’s in education within a specified time after they begin teaching. These degrees may be earned part-time while working as a teacher.

Q: I am interested in becoming a different type of teacher. Should I earn another degree?

There is no short answer to this question. It simply depends. Whether or not you need to earn another degree to become a different type of teacher is determined largely on what type of teacher you are now and what type of teacher you want to become.

All states require that teachers show proficiency in the subject they are teaching. For preschool and elementary teachers, this means they must be proficient in the basics of a variety of subjects, and must also have general teacher’s training. For secondary school teachers, the requirements are slightly different. They generally have a bachelor’s degree in the subject they plan to teach, and also take courses that prepare them to become a teacher of their chosen subject.

The differing education requirements for teaching a different subject, or students of a different age mean that if you plan to switch your teaching focus you may need to take some new classes. Perhaps you want to switch from teaching high school English to the more general style of elementary school. While this wouldn’t necessarily mean you have to complete a new degree, you may want to consider taking a few refresher-type courses. However, if you planned to switch from elementary school to high school, you may need to complete a bachelor’s degree in the subject you want to teach in the future.

Q: Does an increase in the demand for special education mean more jobs for teachers?

In short, yes. The government expects the number of jobs for special education teachers to increase by fifteen percent between 2006 and 2016, which is more than the average profession. Advances in medical procedures and early diagnosis have given children with impairments a higher survival rate and have made disabled children healthy enough to attend school. The number of children with full spectrum autism is also increasing at a particularly rapid rate.

In the past few years, many laws requiring reforms in how we teach children with learning disabilities have contributed to this increase in demand as well.

Demand is not the only reason there are an increasing number of jobs for special education teachers. Many certified special education teachers switch to teaching general education because teaching special ed requires a master’s while general education does not. Already, principles are struggling to fill the demand for special education teachers and this is before the massive retirement of the baby boomer generation.

Demand for certified special education teachers is especially prominent in inner cities and poorer areas of the south and west because student enrollment in general is climbing at a rapid pace. Beyond this, increased immigration has also raised the need for bilingual special education teachers.

Q: Is an early childhood education degree a useful transition from preschool teacher to elementary school teacher?

It depends on your state’s education requirements. In some states, preschool teachers are already required to have training in early childhood education, so the transition is a bit more seamless. In other states, pre-school teachers need only earn a certification to instruct pre-school. Either way, training in early childhood education is a very useful step toward become an elementary school or kindergarten teacher. A bachelor’s degree of some type is required to teach in public elementary schools. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject, you might not need to get certified in early childhood education. Due to the special needs of young children, it is highly recommended to at least take classes in early childhood education, even if you do not receive a full degree. If you decide you prefer teaching pre-school after trying elementary school, an early childhood education school program will teach you how to better instruct children and develop the foundation on which they will build the rest of their education.

Despite having experience teaching young children, there are many things an early childhood education program can teach you. Classes cover subjects such as the importance of play for children, how to improve social skills, or ways to assist children in overcoming their handicaps. Other common classes approach the subject of teaching from a more theoretical standpoint, addressing issues such as theories of instruction or cultural diversity in early childhood education. These formal lessons can then be applied in student teaching and other practicum.

Like pre-school children, elementary school children require very different teaching techniques than older children. While one-on-one attention and small-group lessons are preferred with all age groups, they are absolutely essential for teaching younger children. The experience of having already taught young children will also help you find a job once you have earned your early childhood education degree. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject, it would probably be better to get a master’s degree in early childhood education instead of earning another bachelor’s degree.

Q: How can I get started in the education field?

If you think you would like teaching, beginning a career in education might be easier than you think. First, check your state’s requirements for becoming a certified teacher. Every state requires at least a bachelor’s degree to teach K-12 in public schools. Prospective teachers must also pass a subject competency test in his or her preferred subject area. If you have a bachelor’s degree and are comfortable enough in one of the primary academic subjects (such as math, English, a science, art etc.), you might be able to start teaching after only taking a few education classes instead of training to be a certified teacher.

In other states, you will need to take many classes, and in some cases acquire an accredited master’s degree in education. While masters’ degrees can be expensive and take more time to complete, they will give you a leg up in finding a job and place you on a higher pay scale. Teaching special education or elementary school will require even more specialized education classes.

If you do not already have a bachelor’s degree, the easiest way to become a teacher is to get an accredited bachelor’s degree in education. Look for programs that offer dual degrees (one in education, the other in your teaching subject), student teaching, and certification as part of the training. Programs such as these will help prepare you for teaching and help you get the job you want.

Once you have earned your teaching certification, it is time to apply for a job. Remember to include any prior experience with kids on your resume. If you had a different career before teaching, explain in your cover letter why you wanted to switch and how your previous jobs prepared you for teaching.

Before considering what level to choose for a degree in education, remember that nearly all states will allow you to teach without a degree in education as long as you have a bachelor's degree in one of the core academic subjects. This is especially true if you majored in math or a science because teachers of these subjects are always in high demand.

However, if you plan to teach without a degree in education, you will probably want to consider taking some education classes, as well as specializing in whatever subject you hope to teach. Many schools offer dual-degree or double-major programs where students can earn a bachelor’s in education and a bachelor’s in their chosen subject.

The type and level of a degree in education you pursue really depends on what age group you hope to teach. All states require a bachelor’s degree to teach children in grades K-12, though it does not necessarily have to be in education. If you want to teach pre-K or K-6, you might be required to take specialized classes that teach how these groups learn. Special education teachers are often required to earn a master’s degree in special education for certification.

Even if after earning your bachelor’s degree, you decide to enter the work force straight away, keep in mind that you still have the option of earning a master’s or doctorate by attending school part time. Many states require teachers to earn a master’s degree within a specified period after they begin teaching. Earning a master’s degree in education will not only introduce you to new techniques and methods of teaching, but also enable you with the potential of greater earning power.

If it is your goal to teach adults, a bachelor’s degree simply will not be enough. In this situation, in fact, a master’s degree is most likely the minimum, and will let you teach part-time at a junior or community college, or sometimes at the university level in specific subjects such as creative writing. Nearly all professors have earned a Ph.D., which allows them to teach undergraduate and graduate students.

Q: What skills do effective education majors and professionals possess?

Though there are many different types of teachers with various teaching styles, nearly all effective educators share a core set of skills and training. For instance, all public school elementary teachers and secondary teachers are required to hold a bachelor’s degree. While the degree does not necessarily have to be in the teacher’s subject or in education, all certified public-school teachers must pass a competency test in his or her chosen subject area. If you decide to pursue a degree in education, be prepared for long hours of work in-class and out. Since education majors must also be proficient in a subject matter, many choose to double-major or have a strong minor. Most programs also require students to complete extra experience as student teachers while still attending classes.

While a keen understanding of one’s subject matter is essential, it is just one element of being an effective educator. Communication is paramount. Successful teachers know which students are bored and which are falling behind. They can identify when their students do not comprehend the work and can adjust their approach accordingly. The ability to communicate well to people with a varying level of understanding is not something that can necessarily be taught. It comes with practice and experience.

Without control of the classroom, it is nearly impossible to teach. A successful teacher understands that they are a mentor and that they are ultimately in charge of what goes on in his or her classroom. He/she enforces the rules in a fair and consistent manner. This includes making sure everyone does their homework, being patient with students who are having trouble with the material, and making the learning environment fun and exciting.

Beyond this, effective teachers are able to act as counselors when students come to them with problems. As a teacher, you need to be able to talk with students who come to you with their personal problems. It is also important to be able to recognize when a student might be having problems at home that are interfering with his or her school work and to deal with the situation in an appropriate, yet swift manner.

Q: What are the Top 5 Education Professions

1. Elementary/Middle School Teacher -- There are over 2.2 million elementary and middle school teachers in The United States, making it the largest teaching profession nationally. While most elementary school teachers receive accredited age-specific training, middle school teachers often have the choice of teaching middle or high school. This is because there are more students at this level and teacher’s are in higher demand.
2. Post-Secondary Teacher -- Due to this increase in demand for trained higher education professionals, the number of post-secondary teachers and professors, of which there are currently 1,672,000 in the United States, is expected to increase faster than nearly any every other profession in the next eight years. This category includes anyone who teaches at a community college, college or university.
3. High School Teacher - There are 1,133,000 certified high school teachers in the U.S., making it the third largest education profession. Unlike elementary school teachers, who are considered generalists, high school teachers need training in a specific subject, meaning that they often have a subject-specific degree in addition to training in education.
4. Pre-School/Kindergarten Teacher (607,000) -- In recent years a number of studies have showed that early childhood education has a tremendous effect on a child’s ability to learn later in life. As a result, this profession is expected to actually grow at a faster rate than high school, middle school, and elementary school teachers combined.
5. Special Education Teachers -- As citizens have become more aware of the special needs of some students and with the increased understanding of what education for those with special needs entails, the demand for accredited special education teachers has skyrocketed. The current number of special education teachers (about 459,000) is expected to increase by 15 percent by 2016, meaning many more teachers will need special ed training to meet the public need.

Q: How do I choose a teaching specialty?

There are two different things that should be considered when choosing a teaching specialty: subject matter and type of student taught. Teachers usually pick the subject they teach based on what they like and what they excel in. Many states require teachers to hold at least a bachelor’s degree in their chosen subject, and all states require teachers to demonstrate competency by passing a test on the subject. Picking a subject is especially important for teaching older students.

Choosing what type of students to teach is often less obvious than picking an academic subject. And yet, it is incredibly important to figure this out early on in your own schooling because it may determine which classes you should sign up for. Teachers who want to specialize in pre-K or K-3 should take courses like child development, children’s literature, and science education in elementary school. Special education teachers of any age group are required to take even more classes and some states even require a master’s. If you are interested in becoming an adult educator, you may need to start making plans to work towards a masters or doctorate. This takes a substantial amount of planning and financial obligation.

So how should one go about choosing the type of students to teach? The first step should be reflecting upon your own personal life experiences. Do you particularly enjoy watching young children? Have you worked at a pre-school or a summer camp? Maybe you hate kids but love spending long hours talking with adults or speaking in front of large audiences? Reflecting upon these questions and experiences might make the decision more obvious. Otherwise, the best way to decide is to simply give it a try. Work at a summer camp for middle-school students and see if they drive you up the wall. If they don’t, maybe that’s the age group you should teach. Volunteer at an elementary school. T.A. at the local community college. Find out what works and doesn’t work for your personality. This will make your decision much easier.

Q: Does a bachelor’s in education mean that I am certified teacher?

While a bachelor in education helps immensely to prepare for a career in teaching, holding one does not necessarily guarantee that you will be a certified teacher upon graduation. Standards for teacher certification vary widely from state to state, as do education programs from school to school.

If you want to graduate as a certified teacher, look for a school with an in-school certification program. In these programs, students often graduate with dual degrees, one in education and the other in the subject area they want to teach. Other programs award one bachelor’s degree in a student’s area of expertise, while recognizing a minor in education.

While requirements vary from state to state, all require teachers to hold at least a bachelor’s degree in his/her subject of choice, as well as a certain number of college-level education class credits. A minor in education, for example, will often leave you prepared for certification. Prospective teachers must also pass a test in their subject of expertise before they can teach. Whether or not students can take certification tests before graduating depends on school and state policy. Many states require prospective students to serve as assistant teachers before they can receive certification. Most programs offer a chance to fulfill this requirement while attending school.

In some states, a bachelor’s degree in education is not enough to remain permanently certified. Instead, students must also earn a master’s in education within a specified time after they begin teaching. These degrees may be earned part-time while working as a teacher.

Q: I am interested in becoming a different type of teacher. Should I earn another degree?

There is no short answer to this question. It simply depends. Whether or not you need to earn another degree to become a different type of teacher is determined largely on what type of teacher you are now and what type of teacher you want to become.

All states require that teachers show proficiency in the subject they are teaching. For preschool and elementary teachers, this means they must be proficient in the basics of a variety of subjects, and must also have general teacher’s training. For secondary school teachers, the requirements are slightly different. They generally have a bachelor’s degree in the subject they plan to teach, and also take courses that prepare them to become a teacher of their chosen subject.

The differing education requirements for teaching a different subject, or students of a different age mean that if you plan to switch your teaching focus you may need to take some new classes. Perhaps you want to switch from teaching high school English to the more general style of elementary school. While this wouldn’t necessarily mean you have to complete a new degree, you may want to consider taking a few refresher-type courses. However, if you planned to switch from elementary school to high school, you may need to complete a bachelor’s degree in the subject you want to teach in the future.

Q: Does an increase in the demand for special education mean more jobs for teachers?

In short, yes. The government expects the number of jobs for special education teachers to increase by fifteen percent between 2006 and 2016, which is more than the average profession. Advances in medical procedures and early diagnosis have given children with impairments a higher survival rate and have made disabled children healthy enough to attend school. The number of children with full spectrum autism is also increasing at a particularly rapid rate.

In the past few years, many laws requiring reforms in how we teach children with learning disabilities have contributed to this increase in demand as well.

Demand is not the only reason there are an increasing number of jobs for special education teachers. Many certified special education teachers switch to teaching general education because teaching special ed requires a master’s while general education does not. Already, principles are struggling to fill the demand for special education teachers and this is before the massive retirement of the baby boomer generation.

Demand for certified special education teachers is especially prominent in inner cities and poorer areas of the south and west because student enrollment in general is climbing at a rapid pace. Beyond this, increased immigration has also raised the need for bilingual special education teachers.

Q: Is an early childhood education degree a useful transition from preschool teacher to elementary school teacher?

It depends on your state’s education requirements. In some states, preschool teachers are already required to have training in early childhood education, so the transition is a bit more seamless. In other states, pre-school teachers need only earn a certification to instruct pre-school. Either way, training in early childhood education is a very useful step toward become an elementary school or kindergarten teacher. A bachelor’s degree of some type is required to teach in public elementary schools. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject, you might not need to get certified in early childhood education. Due to the special needs of young children, it is highly recommended to at least take classes in early childhood education, even if you do not receive a full degree. If you decide you prefer teaching pre-school after trying elementary school, an early childhood education school program will teach you how to better instruct children and develop the foundation on which they will build the rest of their education.

Despite having experience teaching young children, there are many things an early childhood education program can teach you. Classes cover subjects such as the importance of play for children, how to improve social skills, or ways to assist children in overcoming their handicaps. Other common classes approach the subject of teaching from a more theoretical standpoint, addressing issues such as theories of instruction or cultural diversity in early childhood education. These formal lessons can then be applied in student teaching and other practicum.

Like pre-school children, elementary school children require very different teaching techniques than older children. While one-on-one attention and small-group lessons are preferred with all age groups, they are absolutely essential for teaching younger children. The experience of having already taught young children will also help you find a job once you have earned your early childhood education degree. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject, it would probably be better to get a master’s degree in early childhood education instead of earning another bachelor’s degree.

Q: How can I get started in the education field?

If you think you would like teaching, beginning a career in education might be easier than you think. First, check your state’s requirements for becoming a certified teacher. Every state requires at least a bachelor’s degree to teach K-12 in public schools. Prospective teachers must also pass a subject competency test in his or her preferred subject area. If you have a bachelor’s degree and are comfortable enough in one of the primary academic subjects (such as math, English, a science, art etc.), you might be able to start teaching after only taking a few education classes instead of training to be a certified teacher.

In other states, you will need to take many classes, and in some cases acquire an accredited master’s degree in education. While masters’ degrees can be expensive and take more time to complete, they will give you a leg up in finding a job and place you on a higher pay scale. Teaching special education or elementary school will require even more specialized education classes.

If you do not already have a bachelor’s degree, the easiest way to become a teacher is to get an accredited bachelor’s degree in education. Look for programs that offer dual degrees (one in education, the other in your teaching subject), student teaching, and certification as part of the training. Programs such as these will help prepare you for teaching and help you get the job you want.

Once you have earned your teaching certification, it is time to apply for a job. Remember to include any prior experience with kids on your resume. If you had a different career before teaching, explain in your cover letter why you wanted to switch and how your previous jobs prepared you for teaching.