What is the career path for a teacher?

The career path for a teacher includes jobs as a teacher, special education teacher, and teaching coordinator.

The educational requirements for a teacher depend on which career path in teaching you plan to take.

Most teachers must get a master's in education and attend student teaching programs to get the proper training. If you plan on taking the career track as a teacher towards a senior administrative role, such as principal, you might need to get a doctorate in education or education administration.

For those interested in teaching young students a bachelor's degree in early childhood development might be necessary. Bachelor's degrees in these areas are acceptable:

• Elementary Education

• Psychology

• Education

Depending on what program you are in, you may also have to complete a student teaching internship and obtain your teaching certificate.

A student teaching internship may be completed while you are obtaining your bachelor's degree, it typically takes one to two semesters. If you want to teach at public schools, you also need to get certified by the state in which you plan to become a teacher.

However, if you plan on teaching in private schools, you may or may not have to obtain certification. Many kindergarten teachers also further their education by obtaining a master's degree in early education. Some states require this in order to become a kindergarten teacher.

Generally, these programs must be approved by the state's board of education and lead to a post-graduate certificate or a master's degree plus licensure.

Public schools in the United States require teachers to have at least a bachelor's degree to be considered eligible for employment as a teacher. However, there are certain private schools that do not require you to have a degree. Although, these are few and far in between.

There are other teaching-related jobs inside and outside of the public and private school systems that do not require a degree, these are:

• Tutor

• Nanny

• Daycare assistant

• Personal trainer

• Teacher's aide

• Substitute teacher

• Athletic coach

• Tour guide

Then there are specialized teaching roles, like those in special education. Here are two examples of roles in this field:

• Special education teacher

A special education teacher is an education professional who primarily works with students who have mental, physical, or emotional disabilities. They also work with students who have specific learning disabilities, such as dyslexia.

They work with students in a one-on-one setting and also with groups as a whole. They are employed by all kinds of schools, both private and public, from preschool through college.

All special education teachers must obtain at least a master's degree in education, and most have a focus in special education.

The average salary of a special education teacher in the United States is $45,101 per year, however, some can earn up to $103,000 per year.

• Education Coordinator

Education coordinators develop, advise, and evaluate special education programs. This includes school curriculum and sometimes corporate training. They often act as recruiters, seeking out the most qualified special education teachers for specific posts.

In addition, they write grants related to developing programs. Education coordinators can work in every type of school setting, as well as other industries, like information technology and healthcare.

Most have a master's degree or higher in education or education administration.

The average salary of an education coordinator in the United States is $48,450 per year.