The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher 16 The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher Continue to observe examples of teaching and learning Find opportunities to gain work experience with children and teens Get to know different age groups Talk to people who work in education

Complete a personal portfolio. © Temych/Shutterstock

Polishing Your Portfolio Your portfolio should show your accomplishments, strengths, learning, and best work Can be used to give you perspective on experiences gain admission to a program or apply for a job keep a record of details continued

Polishing Your Portfolio Select—choose your best work; identify and store other items Prepare—update and proofread all items; make sure it is neat and professional Organize—divide items into logical sections and prepare a table of contents

Develop a personal career plan. © takayuki/Shutterstock

Developing a Personal Career Plan Step 1: Define your career goal Step 2: Identify career requirements Step 3: Evaluate your accomplishments, skills, and interests © bikeriderlondon/Shutterstock continued

Developing a Personal Career Plan Step 4: Identify possible obstacles Step 5: Determine steps to reach your career goal

Step 1: Define Your Career Goal Reflect your best assessment of what you want to do Can be changed or refined at any time

Step 2: Identify Career Requirements Check requirements in the state in which you intend to teach Identify skills and characteristics you will most need

What are the requirements for teachers in your state? © Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock

Step 3: Evaluate Accomplishments, Skills, and Interests Honestly assess your strengths Turn them into assets Consider how they can help you reach your career goal

Step 4: Identify Possible Obstacles Identify potential problems Figure out a way around them Ask for help when needed © Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

Step 5: Determine Steps to Reach Your Career Goal Identify steps or goals for the next 3 to 5 years Put them in order of what needs to be done first

Use effective techniques for comparing potential colleges and universities. © corepics/Shutterstock

Preparing for College Success Choose a college or university Maximize your high school experience Manage your time Keep your life in balance

Choosing a College or University Find schools that meet your needs and wants Consider points such as size reputation location admission requirements cost continued

Choosing a College or University Apply to several schools Some may be more affordable with scholarships Keep application fees in mind © Bronson Chang/Shutterstock continued

Choosing a College or University Gather information using school websites college fairs school admissions offices Start at a community college and transfer Less expensive than four-year schools Students can live at home Class sizes are smaller continued

Choosing a College or University Make sure community college credits transfer to the university of your choice Apply to colleges by fall of your senior year Continue research and tour the schools

Maximizing Your High School Experience Your choices and performance now can affect your future Choose courses Join student organizations Stay focused

Do you feel as though you have maximized your high school experiences so far? Why? © Archipoch/Shutterstock

Choosing Courses With your guidance counselor, check what courses you will need to complete To get college credit, take advanced placement courses dual credit courses

Joining Student Organizations Opportunities to practice key skills, such as teamwork, leadership, planning, organization, and service Colleges and universities will evaluate applicants’ involvement in organizations continued

Joining Student Organizations Future Educators Association (FEA)—for students who are interested in a teaching career Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)—for students focusing on areas of family and consumer sciences

What student organizations are available in your school What student organizations are available in your school? Which might you be interested in joining? © Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock

Staying Focused During “senior slump,” grades may drop Indicates an inability to handle more independence Staying focused equals being reliable and showing maturity

Managing Your Time Write down what you want and need to accomplish Prioritize your list Use a planner or calendar Get organized Establish routines

How well do you manage your time How well do you manage your time? How might you improve your time management? © Archipoch/Shutterstock

Keeping Your Life in Balance Look at the big picture No one priority should be an extreme School Work Family Friends Stress can throw life out of balance

Eating Well and Staying Fit Get adequate nutrition and physical activity Start with small changes and build on them Be careful to keep good habits as you transition into college

Coping with Stress Figure out the true source of your stress continued © Yuri Arcurs/Shutterstock continued

Coping with Stress Make whatever changes you can to reduce the pressure Remember that you have some control over your reaction Consider long-term strategies for reducing stress

What are common sources of stress for you What are common sources of stress for you? How do you manage this stress? © Archipoch/Shutterstock

Succeeding as a Professional Educator is educated is responsible has personal integrity can make complex decisions is committed has community awareness

Professional Ethical Standards Teachers model behavior for their students and have good personal reputations © Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock continued

Professional Ethical Standards Obeying laws Being honest Acting in a professional manner Using good judgment for the students’ best interests

Ongoing Professional Development Lifelong learning is linked to professional expertise and becoming better educators © VladKol/Shutterstock continued

Ongoing Professional Development Taking additional college courses for a master’s degree Attending in-service training and workshops Meeting professional development requirements for license renewal Learning through self-study, travel, hobbies

Identify the benefits of participation in professional associations for students and teachers. © Golden Pixels LLC/Shutterstock

Professional Associations Available for teachers; some for teacher education students May focus broadly on education or specifically on one aspect May have state or local affiliation continued

Professional Associations May help teachers keep up with current events and future trends through newsletters journals websites conferences formal and informal networking

Community Involvement Teachers’ knowledge and skills can help their communities © mangostock/Shutterstock continued

Community Involvement Strengthens the bond with students’ parents and family members Participating in community service opportunities now can help you gain valuable experience

What are some opportunities for getting involved in your community? © Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock

Your portfolio shows your accomplishments, strengths, and work Preparing a career plan can help you take the steps to meet your goal Research your college choices carefully Work to keep your life in balance Begin developing professional qualities now

What are the five steps of developing a personal career plan? define your career goal; identify career requirements; evaluate your accomplishments, skills, and interests; identify possible obstacles; determine steps to reach your career goal Name two student organizations. FEA, FCCLA continued

What type of courses involve a student taking classes at a college while still attending high school? dual credit courses What is education organized by the school for its staff called? in-service training

advanced placement courses advanced placement courses. Courses that are more difficult than regular high school courses. They include content comparable to beginning-level college classes. At the end of the course, students take a standardized advanced placement test. A passing score on this test may give a student credit at the college level for having completed that college requirement.

dual credit courses. Courses in which a high school student actually enrolls at a college or university while still attending high school. These may be taught in a high school or at a college or university. Successful completion gives college credits that may be transferred if the student attends another school after high school graduation.

in-service training. An opportunity for professional development, often a training session organized by the school for its staff.