Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum,
· Read Chapter 6: History of Schools in Education and Chapter 16: Succeeding in Your Teacher Education Program, and Beyond in your Introduction to Teaching: Making a Difference in Student Learning textbook.
· Read the Six pillars of character (Links to an external site.).
· Review the background information for this week’s discussion topic in the Packback Discussion Forum Guidance section below.
· Follow the directions in the task section of the Packback Discussion Forum Guidance section below.
Remember, each of your submissions must meet a minimum requirement of 50 Curiosity Points to count for credit. Also, your initial discussion entry and responses will be completed through Packback which you can access by clicking the button below or through the link on the left navigation.
A bachelor’s degree in education is the first step in preparing you for a career as an elementary or secondary school teacher. You will also have to complete a state-approved educator preparation program (EPP) and pass the teacher exams require by that state.
The bachelor’s degree you will receive here at UAGC does not have a teaching credential embedded. You will have to enter an alternative teacher licensure program after completing your bachelor’s degree. Do not panic; we have researched a few alternative licensure programs that you can contact to continue your journey to becoming a certified teacher. Three alternative licensure programs you can research to begin to determine a best fit for you are summarized in the following table.
| Program | Information | Contact |
| TeacherReady | · Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
· Pass a standard background check. · Program delivered online in (8 to 10 months) · Physical student teaching required. · Reciprocity to most states. |
TeacherReady: Become a Teacher in Less Than a Year (Links to an external site.) |
| Teach-Now | · Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
· Pass a standard background check. · Program delivered online in (9 to 12 months) · Physical student teaching required. · Reciprocity to most states. |
Teach-Now: What Is a Teaching License and How Do I Get One? (Links to an external site.) |
| AmericanBoard | · Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
· Pass a standard background check. · Program delivered online in (9 to 12 months). · Pass the Professional Teaching Knowledge exam (PTK). · Pass the ABCTE content exam. · Direct credentials in choice of 11 states: · Arizona · Idaho · Missouri · Oklahoma · South Carolina · Utah · Florida · Mississippi · New Hampshire · Pennsylvania · Tennessee · Reciprocity to most states. |
American Board: Get started today. (Links to an external site.) |
If you desire to become a certified teacher, we suggest you download UAGC’s Teacher Certification Action Plan (TCAP) Download Teacher Certification Action Plan (TCAP)and begin plotting a path to add focus and intentionality as you pursue your career goal.
What if you want to go into education but do not want to teach children? Fortunately, the training you receive as an education major can prepare you for other careers. Watch the Careers in Education With Morgan Appel—Job Won (Links to an external site.) video. In this video, Dr. Morgan Appel speaks about the many opportunities in the field of education other than teachers.
We have also provided some brief descriptions of careers in the education that do not fall in the traditional classroom category.
Librarian
Librarians choose materials for public, law, and business libraries, as well as for school media centers. They then instruct people to effectively use these resources which include print and online media. In general, librarians need a master’s degree in library science (MLS). To be admitted to an MLS program, you need a bachelor’s degree which can be in any subject you choose. A natural trajectory for someone with a degree in education is to specialize in school media, since some states require school media specialists to also be certified teachers. You do not have to do this, however. There is no reason you cannot choose to study another area of library science.
Writer or Editor
Writers produce material for print and online media while editors select the material that will be published. To be a writer you must be able to express yourself well verbally. Editors must be able to guide others. You can use the skills you have as a trained educator to succeed in either of these occupations. You can convey complex information and are creative. If you have expertise in a particular subject matter (e.g., science, history, etc.) you can specialize in those topics.
Manager
Managers supervise other workers in a variety of occupations. Not everyone is cut out for this career; however, those who are must be good at delegating work to others, assessing performance, giving constructive feedback, setting one’s personal feeling aside when making decisions, and saying no when necessary. As an education major, you are trained to do all those things.
Textbook and Instructional Materials Sales Representative
Textbook and instructional materials sales representatives work for publishers and book wholesalers. Education majors and teachers can utilize their subject knowledge to sell products. Additionally, experienced teachers know how school systems function and can use this knowledge to their advantage. One of the most important skill sales representatives need is the ability to establish rapport with their customers. This should not be a problem given the common background you would share with customers.
Guidance Counselor
Guidance counselors assist students with any school-related issues they have. This includes selecting classes, dealing with academic difficulties and social problems, and applying to college. A bachelor’s degree in education, particularly if that was followed by a stint working in a school, will provide you with a great background for this occupation. You will also need to earn a master’s degree in school counseling.
Instructional Coordinator
Instructional coordinators develop curricula for school systems. They help teachers develop new strategies and techniques. This career is good for someone who wants to continue to impact childrens’ education but prefers to no longer have direct contact with them by remaining in the classroom. All employers require a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction or in a related field of study. You will also need to have either a teaching license or an education administrator license depending on what the requirements are in your state.
Training and Development Specialist or Manager
Training and development specialists design and implement instructional programs for companies’ employees. Training and development managers oversee the specialists and plan, coordinate, and direct these programs. Their goal is to improve workers’ skills and knowledge, and, in turn, the workers’ and the organization’s performance. As a teacher, or as someone who has trained to become one, you have skills that can prove very beneficial in this occupation. You are obviously good at instructing people and can determine what strategies are appropriate for different situations and subjects. You also have excellent communication and time management skills. Most jobs require a bachelor’s degree, but some employers will only consider candidates who have a master’s degree. You may want to beef up your background by taking some business classes as well as courses in instructional design.
Instructional Designer
Instructional designers develop technology-based courses and other educational products. They help faculty implement instructional technology into their courses. Instructional designers often develop distance learning courses. While your training provides you with the ability to instruct others, you will need to learn how to apply your skills to the development of technology-based educational programs. There are certificate programs as well as master’s and doctorate programs in instructional design available.
Health Educator
Health educators teach people how to live healthy lifestyles. They work in elementary, middle, and high schools as well as in health care facilities. They must be adept at providing instruction and have good interpersonal and communication skills. As an education major, you already have those skills. Now all you need to do is learn about public health, which you can do by earning a master’s degree in community, public, or school health education.
Adult Literacy or GED Teacher
You may have discovered you do not want to teach children, but that does not necessarily mean you do not want to continue to be an educator. Adults also need qualified educators to teach them basic reading, writing, and math skills—often to earn their GED (General Educational Development)— or basic English language skills for those who are new to the United States. Licensing requirements for adult literacy or GED teachers vary by state. Some require, at the minimum, a bachelor’s degree in education, while you must have a master’s degree to teach in others. Many employers prefer to hire experienced job candidates but if you spent time working in a classroom with children, you will qualify.
Task
This week your task is to research and evaluate career options in the education arena that are of interest to you.
Prior to completing this discussion forum, compile a list of the information about various career options in education then invite your classmates to engage in a conversation with you and review the six pillars of character (Links to an external site.) . Post at least one question around your career interests in education..
Craft a thought-provoking question around one of the following items:
· career goals and options in education,
· pathways to becoming and educator,
· academic and credential requirements,
· how the six pillars of character (Links to an external site.) might apply in a career choice in the education field, or
· any other intriguing question topics you may have.
The idea is for you to further the critical thinking processes of your classmates by challenging them to broaden their awareness of career options and requirements in the field of education.
