Teaching today demands more than just caring about children and knowing one's subject well. Teachers need to find out what motivates children, how to diagnose students' strengths and weaknesses, and how to create environments in which children thrive.

Becoming a Teacher

The Traditional Route

Four-year undergraduate programs - The majority of people who enter teaching have graduated from a four-year institution and have completed a program that prepares students for teaching a broad range of curriculum areas and age groups. Programs are offered for the preparation of early elementary (K–4), middle grade (5–8), and secondary (high school) teachers. Teachers are also trained for specific subject areas such as art, business, health, physical education, technology education, music, and special education. The programs are generally highly field based and prepare students through extensive work in schools with children. These programs are also accredited at the state, regional, and national levels.

Programs for college graduates - Many colleges and universities offer full-time postbaccalaureate teacher preparation programs designed to serve individuals who have already received a bachelor's degree and are seeking teacher licensure. Many colleges and universities offer master's degree, certificate programs, and opportunities for college graduates to take courses and gain the classroom experience they need to fulfill teacher certification requirements.

Programs for college graduates - Many colleges and universities offer full-time postbaccalaureate teacher preparation programs designed to serve individuals who have already received a bachelor's degree and are seeking teacher licensure. Many colleges and universities offer master's degree, certificate programs, and opportunities for college graduates to take courses and gain the classroom experience they need to fulfill teacher certification requirements.

Nontraditional or Alternative Routes

During recent years there has been a rapid growth in the number of nontraditional or alternative routes to teacher preparation.

What we refer to as "nontraditional" programs includes, for example, "grow your own" programs such as those designed for paraprofessionals who want to become fully certified teachers.

Alternative certification programs also can include postbaccalaureate programs modeled after the traditional graduate programs, but which provide more flexible scheduling, part-time study,and other features designed to allow students to work while they study the practice of teaching.

In addition, alternative programs include apprenticeship-style programs that put aspiring teachers to work immediately in classrooms.

Demand for Teachers

Experts predict that over the next ten years the nation will need 2.2 to 2.4 million teachers. That means there will be 150,000 to 250,000 openings for teachers in the nation's elementary and secondary schools. The needs are greatest in urban and rural communities and in curricular areas such as special education, mathematics, science, bilingual education, and English as a second language.

The shortages continue because while student enrollments are rising, teachers continue to retire and many new teachers leave the profession in the first few years. Consider these National facts:

• Between 2000 and 2008, enrollment in public high schools is expected to increase by 4%.
• More than 25% of teachers are at least 50 years old and the median age is 44.
• Many school reform efforts call for class-size reduction, which requires more teachers.

The need for teachers in Nevada is even much Higher than the national average. Southern Nevada continues to be the fastest growing populations in the country with no end in sight. With this influx of people comes the demand for teachers on both the K-12 and Higher Education Level. If you are a current educator or are thinking about a career in education, there are numerous jobs available with the Clark County School District, Nevada's many instutions of higher education and the many other school districts throughout the state.

Examples of some teaching career paths:

• Elementary School Teacher
• High School Teacher
• University or College Professor
• Corporate Trainer
• Principal or Dean
• Guidance Counselor
• Professional Instructor
• Author