This is a
very general self-assessment checklist. It is not a screening
tool; rather it is a focusing device for individuals to use to
begin to hone in on their motivations, dispositions and potential
capacities for teaching. According to research, the traits listed
below are common to most effective teachers. Of course, not every
good teacher exhibits every trait, so don't worry if you can't
score yourself a "10" in every category. Teaching may
not be for you, however, if you have serious reservations about
your abilities in a number of these categories.
Traits of
effective teachers are:
- Tend to
be good managers
- Have high
expectations of their students and themselves
- Believe
in their own effectiveness
- Utilize
a variety of teaching strategies
- Handle
discipline through prevention
- Are usually
warm and caring
- Are democratic
in their approach
- Are task-oriented
- Are concerned
with perceptual meanings, as well as facts and events
- Are comfortable
interacting with students
- Have a
strong grasp of subject matter
- Are readily
accessible to students outside of class
- Tailor
their teaching style to students' needs
- Are reflective
practitioners, open to new learning theories and classroom techniques
- Are highly flexible, enthusiastic, and imaginative
How do you
decide whether to switch careers to become a teacher? Here are
a few questions to ask yourself:
a.
Do I really want to teach?
Do
I truly enjoy working with children and/or young adults? What
previous experience do I have with children/youth? When was the
last time I observed or participated in a school classroom, worked
as a camp counselor, supervised children, or tutored children?
Will I be able to handle discipline problems?
b.
What would I teach?
Do
I want to teach young children (elementary), older children and/or
young adults (middle/high school), or even adults (adult education)?
What subject matter or content area appeals to me? Do I have expertise
in a field that lends itself to teaching? Am I willing to prepare
myself for a content area or grade that I don't prefer if that's
where the jobs are?
c.
Where would I teach?
Am
I willing to relocate for preparation, certification, or teaching
opportunities? Am I willing or able to look for a job where there
are many teacher vacancies (large urban or rural communities,
for example)? Do I want to teach in a public or private school?
d.
Will principals hire me?
Do
I have the enthusiasm, creativity, dedication, warmth, intelligence,
and caring required for Kindergarten-12th grade teaching?
e.
Am I prepared to make this new career transition?
How
much time and money am I willing to invest in preparation, licensure,
and/or a job search? Will I need scholarships or financial aid
to complete a teacher preparation program? Am I able to stop working
to go to school, or will I need to find a program that enables
me to maintain a full-time job? Can I juggle family responsibilities
with studying to be a teacher, serving an internship, planning
lessons, and marking papers at night? Does my family understand
and support my decision to teach?
Drawn
in part from: American Association of School Administrators,
"Effective teaching: Observations from Research,"
1986.
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3.
How do I become a teacher and when could I start teaching?
Are you a
recent college graduate? A mid-career changer? A teacher from
another state or country? Someone who does not yet have a college
degree? There are many ways to become a teacher. The State
Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and the Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) will provide the
information you need.
The Texas
Education Agency (TEA) provides additional information about
numerous other topics of interest to teachers.
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4.
What financial aid is available for me to become a teacher?
There are
many different types of financial aid available to college students
and their families. Some are need-based, some are based on academic
performance and others are tied to a student's or a family's ability
to borrow. Additionally, school districts and regional education
service centers may offer scholarships or financial assistance
to individuals who wish to become teachers. Listed below are some
of the programs and grants specifically designed to help individuals
become teachers.
Teach
for Texas Conditional Grant Program
Teach
for Texas Alternative Certification Conditional Grant Program
Educational
Aide Exemption
Early
Child Care Provider Student Loan Repayment Program
Waivers
for Teachers, Professors, and their Dependents
Teach for America
Texas Military
Incentive / Troops to Teachers
Below are
links to many other types of financial aid available to students
attending Texas public and/or private colleges and universities.
For more assistance, you may call the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board at 1-800-242-3062 or you may call the Texas Financial Aid
Information Center at 1-877-782-7322.
College
For Texans
Texas
Higher Educational Institutions
Texas Guaranteed Student Loans
Adventures in Education
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5.
How do I find teaching vacancies in Texas?
To better
serve Texas employers and job seekers, Texas Workforce Solutions
offers several resources and tools to provide job opportunities
and job placement. In addition to traditional job search assistance
at local workforce centers across the state, WorkInTexas.com allows
you to register online to be matched with openings entered by
Texas employers. In addition, you may perform a customized search
for current job openings.
The type
and number of teaching positions vary across the state. Many school
districts and regional education service centers maintain web
sites with employment information. The State
Board for Educator Certification Texas School Job Vacancies
offers a regional map of Texas. On the map, you can select one
or more regions of the state where you would like to teach and
explore the opportunities available.
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6.
How do I apply for a Texas teaching credential?
Anyone seeking
educator certification in Texas must pass examinations of professional
knowledge and subject matter knowledge approved by the State Board
for Educator Certification. In addition, applicants must satisfy
other requirements by following one of the six routes to certification
outlined at SBEC
Online.
For more assistance,
call the State Board for Educator Certification Information and
Support Center at 1-888-863-5880.
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7.
How do I renew a Texas teaching credential?
All classroom
teachers should model the philosophy of lifelong learning and
participate in professional development activities. Activities
must focus on the need of each teacher to continually update current
subject-area content, best practice, research, and technology
that are relevant to the individual's role as an educator. The
State Board for Educator Certification's renewal and continuing
professional education requirements are flexible enough to allow
each individual teacher the opportunity to identify the activities
to satisfy the Board's requirements, as well as those activities
that fulfill the specific professional interests of the teacher.
Each individual who holds a Standard Certificate is responsible
for renewing the teaching certificate and paying the applicable
fees. For more assistance, visit the State
Board for Educator Certification Information and Support Center
or call 1-888-863-5880.
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8.
If I am a military veteran or soon to be discharged, what should
I know about becoming a teacher in Texas?
The Troops
To Teachers program is a valuable resource for military veterans
or individuals soon to be discharged. Interested veterans can
find information about alternative certification programs, job
opportunities, and funding possibilities by exploring Texas
Military Incentive / Troops to Teachers, or call the Troops
To Teachers staff at at 1-800-810-5484.
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9.
What teaching fields are in high demand?
According
to the State Board for Educator Certification, the need for teachers
is particularly great in math, science, special education, foreign
languages, technology applications, and bilingual education. Detailed
studies from the State Board for Educator Certification on teachers
and teacher shortages may be found at SBEC
Publications and Reports.
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10.
What professional development opportunities are available to help
new, as well as experienced teachers, stay in the classroom?
The Texas
Beginning Educator Support System (TxBESS) provides experienced
teacher mentors for first year teachers to assist them with the
many challenges they face during the first year in the classroom.
Research has demonstrated the benefits for both the new teacher
and the school by having these valuable mentors. Master
Teacher programs encourage experienced teachers to gain more
knowledge in their fields and obtain certification as "Master
Teachers." In addition, other professional development opportunities
are available for experienced teachers through Teacher Quality Grants.
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