| People choose a career in teaching for many | | | | of whether you should concentrate on |
| different reasons, and if you are thinking of | | | | elementary or secondary education. To teach any |
| getting into teaching, you will have reasons of | | | | age group through middle school, you would get a |
| your Own. You might be a pushover for kids; you | | | | degree in elementary education; for high school |
| might think that a mind is a terrible thing to | | | | you should get a degree in the subject which you |
| waste; you might love the academic life; or you | | | | would most enjoy teaching. |
| just might not have a burning desire to do | | | | 3. Do some research on the teacher certification |
| anything in particular and teaching seems like the | | | | requirements for the state in which you'll be |
| easiest way to go. | | | | teaching. While all states now require that their |
| Every reason for becoming a teacher--with the | | | | public school teachers have bachelor's degrees, |
| exception of the last, because you will be in for a | | | | not all states have the same teacher certification |
| rude awakening if you really think teaching is | | | | standards, and some of them will even let you |
| easy--is as worthy as every other, but all of | | | | qualify for a teaching credential after you have |
| them should be rooted in an unbridled enthusiasm | | | | begun your teaching career. |
| for being allowed to participate in the emotional | | | | 4. While you are an undergraduate studying for |
| and intellectual maturing of others. | | | | your bachelor's degree, work as a teacher's |
| If you know you have that unbridled enthusiasm, | | | | assistant or, if you can swing it, a substitute |
| there are some suggestions which will get you | | | | teacher. There is nothing like classroom |
| started on your way: | | | | experience to give you a very clear understanding |
| 1. Just in case your unbridled enthusiasm is more a | | | | of what teaching entails and whether or not it is |
| product of you imagination than your real-world | | | | the career you've been imagining it to be. And the |
| experience, start taking every opportunity you | | | | experience will look great on your resume. |
| can to work with children. Hire on at a summer | | | | 5. Teaching jobs can, in spite of what you may |
| camp; be the neighborhood babysitter; be a public | | | | have heard, be hard to come by, especially in |
| pool lifeguard; help with the local Brownie or | | | | some well-funded school districts. You will find |
| Campfire Girl troop. Try to spend time with kids | | | | your college's campus career counseling service |
| of different ages, so you'll find the group for | | | | invaluable in helping you do job searches for |
| which you have the best affinity. | | | | teaching positions and hooking you up with school |
| 2. After you know the age group with which your | | | | districts conducting interviews. |
| style is most effective, you'll have a better idea | | | | |