Noble professions like teaching are key because they help learners hone and nurture skills, interests, and talents. But becoming a teacher is not as easy as one may think. The field of education is incredibly dynamic and diverse, with new pedagogies, perspectives, and challenges emerging every day. For this reason, all states encourage aspiring teachers to complete certifications, courses, and licenses. This ensures they are prepared to handle every challenge that comes their way.

Types of certifications for teachers
Since teaching is a sensitive field, states have set certain standards to govern it through certifications. These are a compilation of helpful practices that teachers can apply in the classroom to ensure the best possible learning experience for their students .

Although every state has different standards and requirements for their teachers, there are certain commonalities across them all .

1. Early childhood education
This covers training, coursework, and testing for teaching children between the ages of three and eight. Here, the focus remains on building the capacity to understand the developmental needs of young learners and the involvement of the element of play in the schooling experience.

2. Elementary education
These certifications train teachers to be general educators, focusing on a variety of subjects, mainly English, science, mathematics, and social studies. The assessment for these courses depends on one’s general knowledge, with a special focus on lesson planning and classroom management. It also requires being aware of and understanding the latest developments and practices in early childhood education.

3. Secondary education
Teachers who are looking to work with older children, i.e., those in middle school or high school, need to get a secondary education certification. Since learning here becomes more subject-focused, teachers need to be trained as subject matter experts in math, English, history, science, music, theater, art, languages, health, technology, journalism, and agriculture. Teachers qualified to teach more than one subject can also add an endorsement to their licenses.

4. Special education
Students with emotional or behavioral disorders, hearing or speech impairments, or learning disabilities may need special attention and care during the learning process. Teachers who work with such students need to be certified in special education to offer the right support to learners. This often includes getting a master’s degree in special education.

5. Alternative certification
Those trained in other fields but are interested in a career in education can opt for alternative certifications that offer insights and training on educational theory and methods, best practices, classroom management, and teaching standards. This certification is designed to help substitute teachers, educational assistants, career changers, or recent graduates, and it is much shorter than the traditional route to education.

Specializations
Several specializations can also be added as endorsements on one’s teaching license.

1. Gifted and talented education
Some students show a lot of promise in their school performances. They are often referred to as “gifted” students and put through specialized curriculums to keep them engaged and help them hone their interests. To be a part of their learning journey, teachers must receive a Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) certification, which involves different teaching strategies and programs.

2. Reading specialist certification
With this certification, teachers can become reading specialists to help students work on and improve their reading and writing skills. They might work in classroom settings or have one-on-one training sessions with students. Trainers in this field usually require a master’s degree.

3. American Sign Language certification
Teachers working with hearing-impaired students need to have American Sign Language (ASL) certification to ensure proper communication with them. Teachers generally need to have a bachelor’s degree and complete a certain number of ASL credit hours to qualify for this certification, though the requirements can vary significantly.

Becoming a certified teacher
Those wanting to become a teacher must first identify what they would like to teach and other factors such as the grade level, subjects, and specialty areas. Most certification bodies require teachers to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Individuals who do not have one already can work on their bachelor’s degree and teaching certification simultaneously.

Some states may also require teachers to have a master’s degree, especially if they are working with older students or those with special needs. When training to become a certified educator, teachers can take two routes: studying online or on-campus. An online master’s teaching certification tends to be more economical and allows more flexibility than an on-campus program.

Teachers may be asked to take certain tests, such as Praxis I, ACT, or SAT, to gain certifications. These tests assess basic reading, writing, and math skills. They may also need to build a teaching portfolio consisting of lesson plans and other details and have it assessed by professionals.

After successfully completing the training program and tests, teachers must apply for their official certificate, which may include a background and history check.

In addition to the above, teachers can apply for more certifications to grow in their careers. These are typically designed with working professionals in mind, which is why many of them offer online learning opportunities. For instance, many institutes offer online English-language reading specialist certification courses to help trainers think and communicate effectively while remaining cognizant of cultural differences that may impact learners.