On the surface, it may seem that all high school teachers do is teach academic, vocational, or technical classes to their students. However, high school teachers do so much more than that. By educating students who are aging towards adulthood, high school teachers help their students decide what and who they want to be as members of society. Their tutelage may help a student realize they鈥檙e passionate about biology or drama. They may help students decide where they want to go to college or even if college is the best choice for them. In other words, the importance of high school teachers cannot be overstated. As such, it鈥檚 incredibly important that high school teachers are well prepared for their job. In Connecticut, there are clear regulations and certifications that candidates must meet before they鈥檙e able to work in the school system. If you鈥檝e ever wondered what degree you need to be a high school teacher in Connecticut, read on.
High School Teacher Degree Requirements
In order to become a teacher in the state of Connecticut, candidates must fulfill certain educational requirements. At minimum, they should hold a bachelor鈥檚 degree. However, Connecticut acknowledges that there is more than one avenue to becoming a teacher. Here are the degree pathways candidates might consider when exploring what degree they might need to be a high school teacher.
First Time College Students
Candidates who have not yet earned a college degree must pursue, at minimum, a bachelor鈥檚 degree in order to work as a teacher in the state of Connecticut. As a high school teacher, you鈥檒l be expected to teach specific subject-areas. So, you should earn your bachelor鈥檚 degree in an area in which you鈥檇 be interested to teach. For example, someone who pursues a degree in English Literature may be a good candidate to teach high school English. However, the state of Connecticut requires that you complete a teacher preparation program prior to earning certification. As such, candidates who are earning a college degree for the first time should consider matriculating into a program that offers teacher training as well as student-teaching internships.
Candidates should also note that the state of Connecticut requires all educators to eventually earn their master鈥檚 degree as a prerequisite for maintaining certification. As such, it may be worth considering entering a graduate program in Education directly after undergraduate study, in order to take advantage of all the benefits associated with holding a master鈥檚 degree (such as higher pay) sooner, rather than later.
First Time Teachers Making a Career Change
If you鈥檝e already earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in a subject area in which you鈥檇 like to teach, you can choose to pursue graduate study at a state-approved teacher preparation program. Or, you may complete a post-baccalaureate program in teaching. As mentioned previously, you will eventually need to pursue a master鈥檚 degree. For aspiring high school teachers, a master鈥檚 in Secondary Education is the best choice.
Pursuing Graduate Study
Teachers who have earned a master鈥檚 degree in Secondary Education are qualified to advance through Connecticut鈥檚 three tier certification system. They are also more likely to be paid more. A showed that 92% of all school districts pay their teachers more for holding an advanced degree. , districts will offer higher paying salaries to teachers with advanced degrees as well as bonuses for earning National Board Certification (e.g. an additional $3,500 per year in Hartford). Whether you鈥檙e a new teacher who has earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree or you鈥檙e an educator who is wondering how to take the next step in your career, earning a graduate degree is the perfect choice.
Certification and Licensing Requirements for High School Teachers
Connecticut requires that teachers hold a valid Connecticut certification in order to work in any public school. Certification is contingent on a candidate鈥檚 completion of required educational milestones (e.g. degree programs), the passing of , and experience level.
Required Tests
Candidates hoping to earn certification to teach high school students must pass Praxis II examinations in the subject area in which they desire to teach. For example, English teachers must pass the Praxis II English Language Arts exam.
At 911爆料网, there are a variety of Secondary Education certification programs students can pursue in preparation for this step, such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and a cross-endorsement in Computer Science.
Teacher Certification in Connecticut
In general, Connecticut has three levels of teacher certification: Initial, Provisional, and Professional. Candidates who have earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree and have never before taught, can apply for the Initial certification. This certification allows teachers to gain experience and is valid for three years. Educators can apply for the Provisional Educator Certificate after teaching for at least 10 months while holding the Initial Educator Certificate and completing the . This certification is valid for eight years. In order to qualify for the final level of certification (Professional Educator Certificate), candidates must earn a graduate degree, complete advanced coursework, and complete at least 30 months of teaching in a Connecticut school while holding the Provisional level of certification. This is the only level of certification that is renewable.
Becoming a high school teacher in Connecticut starts with a strong foundation. Whether you plan on teaching Math or Science, a state-approved master鈥檚 degree program can help you build the skills and knowledge base you need to earn certification and begin your career in the classroom.