Principles of Education and

TrainingChapter 16:The Next

Steps toward Becoming a

Teacher

2

Chapter 16:The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

· Complete a personal portfolio.· Develop a personal career plan.· Use effective techniques for comparing

potential colleges and universities.

Objectives:

· Identify the benefits of participation in professional associations for students and teachers.

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The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

· Prepare your portfolio in a final format for this course.

· These general steps will help you:· Select items to showcase your best efforts.· Prepare your portfolio for use. · Organize into logical sections

Polishing Your Portfolio

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The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

· Concrete Steps you need to take to reach your career goal:· Step 1: Define your career goal.· Step 2: Identify Career Requirements· Step 3: Evaluate Your Accomplishments, Skills,

and Interests· Step 4: Identify Possible Obstacles· Step 5: Determine Steps to Reach Your Career

Goal

Developing a Personal Career Plan

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The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

· A career in teaching requires additional education beyond a high school diploma

· Choosing where to go is a big decision to make so allow plenty of time

Choosing a College or University· The goal is to find schools that might best match

your needs and wants. · Even if you know where you want to go, take time to

evaluate others.

Preparing for College Success

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The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

· Size· Large school environment vs. Small school campus

· Reputation· Look at the school’s reputation in your area of study· Ask your counselors and teachers which schools are noted

for teacher education if you plan to teach· Middle and High School teachers usually specialize in one

or more subject areas. Check what schools offer in those areas, as well.

Some points to consider:

· Location· Do you want to attend school close to home?· Do you prefer an urban or smaller town

school?

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The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

· Admission requirements· Some schools are highly selective and accept a

small percentage of applicants· Others accept a broader range of students· Check the criteria of schools you are interested in

and see if you are likely to meet admission criteria· Cost

· Tuition costs vary from school to school· In general, state universities have lower tuition for in-state

students than private colleges and universities· Also consider books and living expenses· Consider that colleges charge a fee for applying(non-

refundable)· Do not rule out schools immediately because of their

tuition costs

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The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

· Cost (continued)· There are scholarships not associated to a particular

college or university. Check with your counselor or teachers for help.

· There are many web sites and books to help guide your search if you need financial aid

· Attend college fairs in your area· Talk to representatives of various colleges and universities· Contact admissions offices of schools of interest and ask

for informational packets.· Some students start their college education at a

community college and then transfer to a four-year college

· Narrow your choices by late in your junior year or by early fall of your senior year

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The Next Steps TowardBecoming a Teacher

· Cost (continued)· Try to visit your top choices· Ask if you can sit in on a class and eat in a dining

hall· Ask questions· College applications generally must be submitted

in the fall of your senior year.

You can get an excellent education at almost any school · Choose challenging courses

· Put effort into your classes· Take advantage of opportunities a school offers· Commit to make the most of what is available

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The Next Steps Toward Becoming a TeacherMaximizing Your High School

Experience· Choosing Courses

· Talk to your counselor to review your course of study· Make sure you will have enough credits in the right

courses by the time you graduate

MathLaboratory science

EnglishSocial Studies

Foreign languageVisual/performing/practical arts

2-3 years2-3 years4 years

2-3 years2-3 years

1 year

Common College Expectations

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The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

Choosing Courses (cont.)· Advanced Placement Courses

· Dual Credit Courses

- are more difficult than regular high school courses

-a high school student enrolls in a college course while attending high school

• Both options require a high degree of dedication and maturity

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The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

Joining Student Organizations

• Participating in student organizations at the high school level can be an excellent way to broaden your experiences and polish your skills

• Commit to being actively involved in any organization you join

• Organizations give students the opportunity to practice:· Teamwork· Leadership· Planning· Organization· Service

Most colleges and universities evaluate applicants’ involvement in activities and organizations, as well as their academic record and test scores.

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The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

• Most school organizations provide opportunities to build key skills. Two are worth special consideration by students interested in teaching:

· TAFE-Texas Association of Future Educators; "Teachers-The Hope for Tomorrow”

www.tafeonline.org · FCCLA-Family, Career, and Community Leaders of

America; “Youth Leadership at its Best”

www.texasfccla.org

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The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

Staying Focused

It is easy to lose your focus as you contemplate your graduation and college life. “Senior Slump” is worrisome to veteran teachers.

· Concerns:· Lost learning· Grades dropping· Jeopardizing class rank

Some students are unable to handle the shift to more independence.

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The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

What does a student need to be successful in college?• Self-discipline• Good Decision Making Skills• Staying focused on personal goals• Seeking out help when having trouble with a course• Being a reliable student or employee

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The best way of coping with demands on your time are:Good Time Management Skills

Steps that will put you on the right path:• Write down what you need and want to accomplish• Prioritize your list- A, B, C, or 1,2,3• Use a planner or calendar to schedule your time• Get organized• Establish routines

The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

Managing Your Time

It takes at least several weeks for new habits to become comfortable and automatic. These are habits that will

serve you well over a lifetime.

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Balanced life- a life in which there are no extremes;How much time do you spend on school, work,

family, friends, and other priorities?What changes can you make to be well-rounded

person?Some stressors that can throw your life out of balance• trying to make deadlines• unexpected events• relationship issues

The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

Keeping Your Life in Balance

A bit of stress is not all bad.Give examples of when stress can be good.

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One of the best ways to strengthen your ability to withstand stress is to stay in great physical shape. You will be better

able to cope with stress.Tips for better health:• If your eating habits need improving, start making changes

now.• Begin each day with a good breakfast• Build physical activity into your daily routine• As you visit schools, check out the on-site fitness centers and

other programs to promote wellness

www.myplate.gov

The Next Steps Toward Becoming a TeacherEating Well and Staying Fit

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• Figure out the true source of your stress; Stress levels rise when there is pressure from several

sources or situations• Make what changes you can to reduce pressure• Remember, you have some control over how you act• Consider long-term strategies for reducing stress

• Try out several techniques and see which ones work best for you

The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

Coping with Stress

Be aware of signals of stress :

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Imagine you are now a Certified Professional Educator. What makes a teacher a professional?

• Education• Increased Responsibility• Shows integrity, decisiveness, commitment, and community awareness. Discuss each of these characteristics.

• Teachers help to shape their students’ lives. Their behavior in

the classroom and the community must live up to that responsibility. Many aspects of ethics are based on common

sense.

The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

Succeeding as a Professional Educator

Professional Ethical Standards

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A teacher should:• Dress and act in a professional manner• Be friendly but must maintain a professional teacher-to-

student relationship at all time• Keep personal information about students confidential.• Use good judgment that keeps the best interests of students in

mindA teacher’s effectiveness is linked to the teacher’s

personal reputation.A teacher who violates trust through inappropriate behavior breaks a bond of trust with the community.

The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

Other Aspects of ethics deal with professionalism

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The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

To improve a person’s professional expertise, a teacher can:

• Take additional college courses beyond their bachelor’s degree

• Complete master’s or doctoral degrees which will result in salary increases; some districts reimburse for the cost of additional courses

• Take courses offered in other areas of education such as those to become a counselor, librarian, or administrator

• Take advantage of online courses offered

•

To keep pace with today’s world of constant change, a teacher must commit

to being a lifelong learner.

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In-service-training: education organized by the school district for its staff;

• An expert on curriculum development speaks to all teachers in the district• Professional groups may offer workshops on topics of interest• Conferences related to teaching may be offered• Administrators may prepare presentations to target campus goals• Teachers may prepare a training based on a conference they have attended to present to the faculty or grade level team

The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

Ongoing Professional Development (cont.)

Types of in-service training:

Teachers also learn through work experiences, self-study, travel, and hobbies. Continual learning helps teachers keep their teaching fresh, interesting, and relevant.

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Why join?• To stay updated on education issues and practices• To have an opportunity to buy liability insurance• To create networking contacts• To attend conferences and meetings that offer sessions to keep

current and to hear of future trends• To have opportunities for leadership positions in these

associations

The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

Professional Associations

Look for information about the goals of the group. Websites should give information about affiliations with other groups, opportunities for members, and costs of membership.

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Effective Teachers are good citizens.

• Put knowledge and skills to work for the community• Working with the community offers opportunities to work with

parents which strengthens bonds• As a college student, you can participate in community service

projects• On-campus groups often work to be a positive force in the

community• Work done can help gain experience and give satisfaction of

knowing you have made a positive difference in the lives of others

· As

The Next Steps Toward Becoming a Teacher

Community Involvement

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End of Chapter 16

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