Welcome Future Teachers!

We know how overwhelming it can be to make important decisions about your college experience.  We've done everything we can to put all the information you're looking for right here.  If you need any additional information, please don't hesitate to contact us. 

So you think you want to be a teacher?  Here's how to achieve your goal

1. Volunteer or work with kids - While you are working on your high school diploma (or your first year of college), find a job or volunteer with kids.  You can teach swimming lessons, coach a team or spend some time babysitting.  You'll want to figure out what age group best suits you.
2. Find a good fit - Find an accredited high-quality education program and decide what age level you'd like to teach--elementary, middle school or high school.  If you choose middle school, you'll need to choose the two subjects areas that you'd like to teach.   Of course, at the high school level, you select one area, such as English, mathematics, science, or social studies.
3. Substitute teach - During your first two years of college, you can seek employment as a substitute teacher in a local public school system.  Some counties even offer a substitute teacher workshop--a great way to help you learn some basics before you get started.  This will help you earn some extra money and practice your teaching skills.
4. Prepare for the GACE - In order to be certified as a teacher in Georgia, you must pass the Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators (GACE) test in your teaching field.  You take this test during your senior of college.  You must pass it in order to obtain a teaching job in Georgia.
5. Apply for teaching jobs - Resume writing and mock interviews are part of your clinical residency seminar experience (during your final semester of college). After completing your clinical residency experience, you can apply for employment with one or more of your local counties.
6. Carefully consider where you will teach - Here's something to think about:  It might be possible for you to cancel or defer your student loans if you agree to teach in a low-income area or an area where there is a shortage of teachers.  Click here to find out more!
7. Keep learning - Be sure to continue learning after you get your first job.  Join a professional  association in your teaching specialty, such as the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) or the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).  This is a great way to continue growing as a professional.