Start
Preparing Now
There are many things you can do to
prepare for a career as a science teacher before you enter
the classroom. Whether you are still a student or you are
an adult seeking to enter the field, now is the time for you
to begin building skills related to teaching, management,
and organization. Here is a sample of some activities you
might undertake:
- Expand your knowledge in all areas
of science. Read books and articles from newspapers, magazines,
and journals about science and education. Visit museums,
zoos, planetariums, observatories, and parks. Watch films
and television shows that explore all areas of science.
- Visit different schools, grades,
and classrooms. Observe how different science teachers teach,
and interview science teachers about their careers—what
they do and how they feel about their profession. Ask them
for advice.
- Write to organizations and ask for
information. Look in the resource sections in the back of
science books. Send letters to these sources requesting
catalogs or educational information and materials.
- Become a keen observer of nature,
and keep a journal of your scientific observations. Start
a collection of rocks, insects, or plants.
- Put together files of science experiments,
activities, and articles that you enjoy. These will come
in handy later.
- Strengthen your English, math, and
computer skills. English skills will help you write well
and explain things more clearly. This will pay off during
future communication with students, parents, principals,
and other educators. Math will help you understand science
better. Knowing how to use computers will help you bring
technology into your future classroom.
- Volunteer to tutor science students
or to work with a local church youth group.
- Volunteer to be a teacher's aide
by contacting the main office of your local school district.
- Join professional science teacher
organizations at local, state, and national levels. Read
their publications, and attend their meetings. Professional
organizations offer a wealth of information to help you
keep abreast of innovations in science education and give
you opportunities to apply for special enrichment programs
and competitions. If you are a student, be aware that many
organizations, such as the National Science Teachers Association,
have student memberships available at a cost significantly
lower than the regular membership fee. (See http://www.nsta.org/benefits
for more information on NSTA membership benefits and student
dues.)
- Get a summer, part-time, or full-time
job or volunteer in a field related to teaching or to science.
Work in a research or industrial lab if you are interested
in chemistry or microbiology; try a zoo or park if you are
interested in biology or botany; consider a hospital lab,
veterinary clinic, or animal shelter if you are interested
in medicine, physiology, or animal science. Perhaps you
can be a camp counselor to get experience working with children.
- Attend science workshops, courses,
or institutes.
- Offer to write articles for your
school or local newspaper on hot topics in science or education.
By building your science education
experience now, you will be more impressive to those who will
be hiring you. Even better, you will be on your way to being
an effective science teacher.
Financial Aid
For many, the cost of college is a difficult
expense to bear. However, financial support is available –
if you look in the right places!
Financial support comes in many different
forms (scholarships, loans, and grants) and from many different
places (federal government, state government, colleges and
universities, private organizations, and businesses).
It’s a good idea to start checking
financial aid programs about a year or two before you plan
on attending college so that you do not miss any application
deadlines. You can contact the following offices to see if
you qualify for their financial aid programs:
- Your State’s Department
of Education – Every state offers scholarships,
grants, and loans for higher education. There are many state
scholarships that are just for prospective teachers. Contact
your state department of education for more information.
Click on the following link to be taken to the US Department
of Education website and select your state from the pull-down
menu to view a listing of relevant state agencies http://www.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html?src+h
- U.S. Department of
Education – The federal government, through
the U.S. Department of Education, provides about three-fourths
of all student scholarships, grants, and loans each year,
much of it based on need. Like the state government, the
federal government offers some aid to prospective teachers
only. For information on financial aid programs, contact
the U. S. Department of Education by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID
(1-800-433-3243) or by visiting their website at http://www.ed.gov/index.jhtml
- Colleges and Universities
– Ask the office of financial aid at the colleges
or universities that you would like to attend for information
on their financial aid programs and any other sources of
financial aid.
- Associations, Private
organizations, Foundations, and Businesses –
Some organizations associated with science and/or education
offer financial aid. Private organizations, foundations,
and businesses also offer scholarships and grants to future
teachers. For more information on this topic look in your
local library or on the Internet for directories and guides
to scholarships, fellowships, grants, and loans.
Certification Resources
Certificate
and Teaching Licenses
Once you have earned a bachelor's degree
or higher, there is one more step to take before you can teach
in a public school at the pre-college level: you must obtain
teacher certification from the department of education in
the state in which you plan to teach. You will need to be
licensed to teach certain grades and/or subjects. Each state
has its own requirements, and these vary greatly from state
to state. Contact the department of education in the state
where you plan to seek employment as early as possible in
your college career and again in your senior year to find
out if the requirements have changed. Keep in mind that a
state's requirement may differ from the graduation requirements
of your college or university. Click on the following link
to be taken to the US Department of Education website and
select your state from the pull-down menu to view a listing
of relevant state agencies http://www.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html?src+h
Tip: The certificate you get may be
valid in more than one state—inquire whether this is
true in your case.
Alternative
Certification
The alternative teacher certification
program movement rose out of a need for more teachers. Faced
with the threat of teacher shortages and concern about the
quality of the teaching force, states have stepped forward
to meet the demand.
These alternative teacher certification
routes provide opportunities for people with both a bachelor's
degree and many life experiences to move into the teaching
professions. In the last decade, many new programs have been
developed state to state that address the professional preparation
needs for those seeking alternative certification. Many of
the programs are collaborative efforts among state departments
of education that are responsible for licensing teachers,
colleges and universities that educate and train them, and
school districts that hire them. The University of Kentucky
maintains a list of websites by state with specific information
on each state’s certification requirements. To visit
their website click here http://www.uky.edu/Education/TEP/usacert.html
|
Planning a Career in Science Education
