2. The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher16
The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

3. 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

4. Complete a personal portfolio.
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5. 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
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6. 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

7. Develop a personal career plan.
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8. Developing a Personal Career Plan
Step 1: Define your career goal
Step 2: Identify career requirements
Step 3: Evaluate your accomplishments, skills, and interests
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9. Developing a Personal Career Plan
Step 4: Identify possible obstacles
Step 5: Determine steps to reach your career goal

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

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

12. What are the requirements for teachers in your state?
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13. 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

14. Step 4: Identify Possible Obstacles
Identify potential problems
Figure out a way around them
Ask for help when needed
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15. 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

16. Use effective techniques for comparing potential colleges and universities.
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17. Preparing for College Success
Choose a college or university
Maximize your high school experience
Manage your time
Keep your life in balance

18. Choosing a College or University
Find schools that meet your needs and wants
Consider points such as
size
reputation
location
admission requirements
cost
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19. Choosing a College or University
Apply to several schools
Some may be more affordable with scholarships
Keep application fees in mind
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20. 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
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21. 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

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

23. Do you feel as though you have maximized your high school experiences so far? Why?
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24. 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

25. 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
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26. 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

27. What student organizations are available in your school
What student organizations are available in your school? Which might you be interested in joining?
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28. Staying Focused During “senior slump,” grades may drop
Indicates an inability to handle more independence
Staying focused equals being reliable and showing maturity

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

30. How well do you manage your time
How well do you manage your time? How might you improve your time management?
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31. 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

32. 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

33. Coping with Stress Figure out the true source of your stress continued
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34. 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

35. What are common sources of stress for you
What are common sources of stress for you? How do you manage this stress?
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36. Succeeding as a Professional Educator
is educated
is responsible
has personal integrity
can make complex decisions
is committed
has community awareness

37. Professional Ethical Standards
Teachers model behavior for their students and have good personal reputations
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38. Professional Ethical Standards
Obeying laws
Being honest
Acting in a professional manner
Using good judgment for the students’ best interests

39. Ongoing Professional Development
Lifelong learning is linked to professional expertise and becoming better educators
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40. 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

41. Identify the benefits of participation in professional associations for students and teachers.
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42. 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
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43. Professional Associations
May help teachers keep up with current events and future trends through
newsletters
journals
websites
conferences
formal and informal networking

44. Community Involvement
Teachers’ knowledge and skills can help their communities
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45. Community Involvement
Strengthens the bond with students’ parents and family members
Participating in community service opportunities now can help you gain valuable experience

46. What are some opportunities for getting involved in your community?
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47. 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

48. 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
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49. 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

50. 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.

51. 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.

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