Becoming a Teacher
career goal
A concise statement of the specific career toward which a person is working.
prerequisite
A course that must be completed before entering a program or prior to taking a higher-level course.
teaching license
A formal document, issued by a state, verifying that a teacher is qualified to teach at specific grade levels or particular subject areas.
student teaching
A period during which a teacher education student practices and acquires teaching skill under the supervision of an experienced teacher.
certified teacher
A person who has met the state requirements for teacher preparation.
philosophy of teaching
A personal statement about your thoughts, views, and values as they relate to teaching.
service-learning
A type of volunteer effort that links classroom learning with hands-on experience in order to meet community needs.
cooperating teacher
An experienced teacher who supervises and mentors a student teacher.
personal portfolio
An organized collection of materials and information that shows how personal knowledge, skills, and attitudes have developed over time.
job shadowing
Following a person on the job for a few hours a day, or even longer to experience what the person's career typically involves to gain valuable insight into the person's daily tasks, activities, and interactions with others.
reciprocal agreements
In teaching, arrangements between states that allow teachers certified to teach in one state to teach in another state that is part of the agreement.
grant
Money that is given for a specific purpose, such as educational expenses, that does not have to be repaid.
artifacts
Physical items that are part of a portfolio, such as projects or papers, examples from a related volunteer activity, and academic and other awards.
teaching academies
Specialized programs within high schools that help students to explore the teaching profession through classes, observations, and hands-on experiences.
profiency test
This measures skill and knowledge in a subject area.
articulate
To express thoughts into words.
teacher education programs
University or college courses that prepare students to become teachers.
