Teacher education is the process of equipping current and future teachers with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively teach in a classroom setting. The majority of teacher education begins with initial training, such as a degree program at a college or university, though there are other ways to begin teacher education. A teacher may continue his or her education while teaching full-time once he or she has completed a degree program and obtained certification. Continuing education courses, seminars, and professional development activities are all part of a teacher’s ongoing education.
Before becoming a full-time teacher, a teacher must complete some form of teacher education. A teaching candidate will most likely enroll in a teacher education program at a college or university, allowing them to earn a bachelor’s degree in education. After that, a student can pursue a master’s degree, a PhD, or a professional certificate to further his or her teacher education. However, after completing a bachelor’s degree, a teacher can choose to take the required certification exams and begin teaching right away. Most school districts require teachers to work full-time while teaching in order to fulfill other educational requirements; this frequently includes obtaining a master’s degree in education or another field that will improve the teacher’s knowledge, skills, and techniques for delivering instruction in the classroom.
After securing a teaching position in a school, a teacher’s first few years of teaching may be spent learning from a more experienced teacher or administrator. This is sometimes considered part of teacher education, and it is designed to provide a mentor for the teacher to learn new skills and adjust to a new environment. A teacher will be responsible for developing short- and long-term goals for furthering his or her education once that phase is completed, or while it is still in progress.
Professional development is a term used to describe the process of continuing education in the teaching field, which can include a variety of activities aimed at improving a teacher’s ability to teach. Many teachers participate in online or distance learning classes that fit around their teaching schedules, while others attend on-campus classes at a community college, four-year college, or university. These classes can be for credit or non-credit, and a teacher can work toward a higher degree or not.