A physics teacher is a person who instructs students in physics in a school or other educational setting. If you teach physics below the college level, you’re usually referred to as a physics teacher; if you teach physics at the college level, you’re usually referred to as a professor. Students typically begin physics classes in high school or secondary school, after which they typically take very general science classes that cover a variety of topics. Even in high school, it’s not uncommon for a physics teacher to teach classes that cover a wide range of subjects, including biology and earth science.
A person who wants to be a physics teacher usually goes to college and majors in physics or a closely related science. He must obtain some level of teaching certification based on the level of education he plans to teach once he has earned at least a bachelor’s degree. This is generally not required if he wishes to teach at a private school or at a college level, though he may be required to have a bachelor’s degree in his chosen subject. The certification requirements for teaching in public schools vary widely depending on the subject matter.
After completing a college education and any required level of certification, a person must usually work as a student teacher for a period of time before teaching on their own. During this time, the physics teacher in training can teach and manage a class while being observed by an experienced physics teacher who can provide feedback. After a period of student teaching, all that is left is to pass the required certification exams and look for formal employment.
A physics teacher who teaches at a lower level does not usually delve into any of the more difficult aspects of the subject. Mechanics, kinetics, electricity, and magnetism are all common topics taught in high school or secondary school. Because most high school students do not begin learning calculus until their junior or senior year, if at all, such classes are frequently taught without a calculus foundation. Some advanced physics classes, on the other hand, may delve into the basic calculus behind some of the physics concepts.
A physics teacher may occasionally teach topics that are outside of the scope of a basic physics education. In general, he does so in order to pique students’ interest. Quantum mechanics, relativity, and other topics related to theoretical physics are examples of topics that are not often taught in depth but are occasionally addressed.