Everything You Need To Know About Becoming An English Teacher:

By Jennifer Stephens

Introduction / Teacher Education Programs / What is the GACE, How do you sign up for it, and what you need to make to pass / Requirements / Alterniative Liecencing / Private School Licsencing / Respositblities / Salary / Employment / Benefits / How to apply / Resources
"Good teachers love helping children and young adults develop intellectually and emotionally, despite diverse challenges" (ehow)

Stolen from Google.comIntroduction:

I made this web page for my Writing in the Workplace class. I decided to make a web page that would be helpful to all individuals seeking to become an English teacher. I find that it is hard to get all the information one needs from just one source, you need multiple and it takes time. Therefore, I made this website in order to make life a little easier. I know for myself, as a graduating student that it's hard to find the facts you need, and many people are unable to answer your questions--so this website does!

Teacher Education Programs:

An aspiring secondary school teachers most often major in the subject they pan to teach while also taking a program of study in teacher preparation. Teacher education programs are now required to include classes in the use of computers and other technologies in order to maintain their accreditation. Most programs require students to perform a student-teaching internship.
What is the GACE, How do you sign up for it, and what you need to make to pass:
  1. The GACE; The Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators was established in 2004, replacing the Prax I and II. The purpose of this test is to, "assess the knowledge and skills of prospective public school teachers" (GACE). There are two test that a prospective teachers has to take GACE I and GACE II. The GACE I is a three part test of "basic skills" in reading, writing, and mathematics. The GACE II is a content assessment of ones area of concentration. One can be exempt fromGACE I if SAT/ACT scores are high enough, and one can not exempt GACE II.
  2. A candidate can sign up for the GACE at http://www.gace.nesinc.com.
  3. The GACE tests are one, two, or three parts as stated above, and based on a scale from 100-300 with 220 being the passing score. All parts of the GACE must be passed, however, if one or more parts is not passed the candidate only needs to retake the un-passed portion(s).
Requirements:

Requirements for regular licenses to teach kindergarten through grade 12 vary by State. However, all States require teachers to have a bachelor's degree and to have completed an approved teacher training program with a prescribed number of subject and education credits, as well as supervised practice teaching. Some States also require technology training and the attainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.5. A number of States require that teachers obtain a master's degree within a specified period after they begin teaching. However, many school are now having students majoring in secondary education to major in their subject area, and then get their masters in teaching called a MAT.

Almost all States require applicants for a teacher's license to be tested for competency in basic skills, such as reading and writing. This test is called the GACE. Almost all States require the teacher to exhibit proficiency in his or her subject. Many school systems are presently moving toward implementing performance based systems for license, which usually require a teacher to demonstrate satisfactory teaching performance over an extended period in order to obtain provisional license, in education renewal of the teacher's license. Also, many States have reciprocity agreements that make it easier for teachers licensed in one State to become licensed in another.
Alternative License:

Many States also offer alternative license programs for teachers who have a bachelor's degree in the subject they will teach this is, "to attract people into teaching, especially for hard-to-fill positions" (ehow), or to ease the shortages of teachers of certain subjects, such as mathematics and science. The alternative program allows people to teach who do not fulfill traditional licensing standards including: recent college graduates (who did not complete education programs), those changing from another career to teaching. These alternative programs allow these individuals to teach quickly, working under close supervision of experienced educators for 1 or 2 years, while taking education courses outside school hours, and they receive regular license if they ave progressed satisfactorily.

Private School License:

Private schools are generally exempt from meeting State licensing standards, "They prefer candidates who have a bachelor's degree in the subject they intend to teach" (ehow).

Responsibilities:

-Teachers are responsible for each student, and assuring each student equal education.
-Teachers can employ many hands-on activities or, "Utilize "props" or "manipulative's" to help children understand abstract concepts, solve problems, and develop critical thought processes (Ehow).
-Teachers often work with students from varied ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds, and it is important for teachers to work effectively with a diverse student population.
-Teachers plan, evaluate, and assign lesions; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations, and maintain potential and use new and effective assessment and teaching methods properly.
-Teachers also, grade papers, prepare report cards, and meet with parents and school staff to discuss a student academic progress or personal problems.

Salary:

Median Salary by Years ExpierienceMedian Salary by City: For High School Teachers
Employment:

Employment of teachers is distributed much like the population; the more populated the area: the more teachers in that specific area. The upcoming years for aspiring teachers is unknown, however, "most job openings will result from the need to replace the large numbers of teachers who are expected to retire over the 2004-14 period" (ehow). Most beginning teachers tend to quit teaching after a year or two; especially in poor, urban areas; therefore, "job prospects should be better in the inner city" (ehow). Employment opportunities are typically based on area of subject, local, and need for teachers.

Benefits:

There has been a shortage of teachers in the recent years, therefore, the average teacher pay has increased slightly over the past years, "up to 2% per year" (Lifetips). Also, teachers get holiday breaks and three months off in the summer (if the school district has that schedule). Teachers get great government benefits as well! And in addition, get to broaden students minds and make a difference.
How to Apply:

To apply for a teaching position, most secondary schools require an applicant to apply at the board of education in that county. An applicant can easily find the board of education in a specific county by using a search engine, once you find the county's board of education you can apply online or visit the board of education in that county directly. Once the applicant has applied they will review the resume and place you in the first appropriate opening, which may or may not be the school of the applicant's choice.
Resources:
Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators. 2007. 8 Oct. 2007. http://www.gace.nesinc.com
"Georgia Professional Standards Commission." Educator Certification Section. 7 Nov. 2007. 12 Nov. 2007. http://www.gapsc.com/TeacherTesting/TestBasedOption.asp
"E-How." How to Become a Teacher. 1999-2007. 8 Oct. 2007. http://ehow.com/how_3591_become-teacher.html
"Pay Scale." Survey Report for Job: High School Teacher. 2000-2007. 8 Oct. 2007. http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=High_School_Teacher/Bonus
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