How to Help Your Child on Their Path to Becoming an Educator

Most adults—when they look back on their school years—recall the one or maybe two teachers that made the difference in their lives. Whether giving that caring hug at the right moment or recognizing a unique skill, good teachers know how to see their students and encourage their growth—they make a lasting impact.

No surprise, then, that good teachers often inspire within students the hope to become educators themselves. But, with this hope to teach, there are a few things your student should know as they begin thinking about their future.

First, there are several types of schooling in Pennsylvania—and each one has its own requirements for educators.

To be a teacher in one of our commonwealth’s public schools, Pennsylvania requires state certification through one of three methods: a traditional baccalaureate teaching program, an intern certificate, or a master’s degree or other post-baccalaureate program. Moreover, each of these pathways includes content testing to ensure the candidate’s qualifications to teach a specific subject.

Teaching in one of Pennsylvania’s private schools is slightly more nuanced. On the whole, licensed private academic schools require certification in the subject area. Educators can fulfill this requisite either by holding a relevant public school certificate or by securing a private academic certificate. However, if your child ultimately chooses to teach in an unlicensed, religious school, the requirements can vary. At these institutions, the state does not have the authority to approve teachers. Therefore, you may find that some unlicensed, religious schools require certified educators, while others do not.

Finally, teaching also takes place in the form of home education. If your child dreams of homeschooling his or her own children one day, the requirements to teach are fairly simple: the parent or guardian of the child is responsible for the administration of education and must possess a high school diploma. However, to be a private tutor for a homeschooling family, Pennsylvania requires certification to teach in Pennsylvania’s public schools. Outside of the general requirements to teach in a home education setting, you may also want to investigate the state’s separate requirements for the operation of home education. 

Have your student compare fully the pathways to becoming a teacher by also looking into each pathway’s long-term requirements. For example, teachers holding a public school certificate in Pennsylvania must enroll in ongoing professional education, while private tutors and those holding a private academic certificate are currently exempt from this requirement.

Encourage your child to think about where they would like to teach. Possibly set up an interview with a trusted public school teacher, private school teacher, or homeschooling tutor to get their first-hand insight. If your child is already looking at colleges and universities, suggest meeting with the academic advisor in the education department of the different schools to compare the programs.

Good teachers foster good citizenry, build students’ confidence, and expand the next generation’s knowledge of the world. If your child wants a career in education, it’s your privilege to help them think through their next steps to make that hope a reality.