K-12 Teacher

Why do teachers matter?

“A teacher affects eternity: he can never tell where his influence stops.” - Henry B. Adams

Teachers are important to every community on the planet. They contribute to each aspect of society and their influence touches all our lives.

Teachers are builders of human lives and architects of the future. Teachers give students purpose, set them up for success as citizens of our world, and inspire in them a drive to do well and succeed in life.

There are few roles in society that rival the importance of a great teacher. Stars in any field - music, athletics, engineering, medicine, politics - have an army of teachers to thank for teaching them the skills and values that currently allow them to be successful.

Teachers of all walks of life and subjects have the ability to shape opinions and help form ideas about society, life and personal goals. Teachers are also in the position to expand students’ limits and push their potential.

Because of teachers, countries are able to further develop socially and economically. Teachers increase productivity and creativity of students and therefore, of future workers. When students are pushed to be creative and productive, they are more likely to be entrepreneurial and make technological advances, ultimately leading to economic development of a country.

"Teaching is the essential profession, the one that makes all professions possible." ― David Haselkorn

What makes a great teacher?

"What a teacher is, is more than what he teaches." - Karl Menninger

Passion and dedication: Great teachers have passion and dedication for their subject and their students. This passion and dedication can be seen in their ability to search for new and innovative ways to engage students with exciting and relevant lessons.

Patience: Great teachers handle all situations and interactions with a calm, professional demeanor focusing on the challenge of the moment. And not just patience with the students! Teachers also need patience in dealing with the school system, bureaucracy, and parents as well.

Communication: Teachers must have excellent verbal and written communication, professional yet friendly body language, and the ability to actively listen. They must be able to adapt their communication style to the needs of different students, depending on their age, culture, ability, and learning style. They must also be able to effectively communicate with teaching staff and superiors of various backgrounds and generations.

Resourcefulness: Great teachers are resourceful in finding solutions to problems, acquiring the necessary supplies, and finding new ways to teach lessons to a variety of students.

Organization: Teachers have to juggle a number of tasks, from teaching to attending meetings, and from lesson planning to grading. They need to be able to keep all of these duties organized, and complete tasks in a timely manner.

Compassion: Compassion is important not only when dealing with the students but also other teachers, other school staff, and parents.

Understanding: Teachers need a deep understanding of where their students are coming from — their backgrounds, their struggles, and their abilities.

Ability to be a role model: Teachers must come into work every day knowing their students will soak up their actions like sponges. They must show how to be a good person not just by telling, but also by doing.

Willingness to put in the effort: If a teacher doesn’t care or doesn’t make the effort, their students won’t either. If a teacher shows students that they do truly care, they’ll do the same.

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove... but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” Forest E. Witcraft

How to become a teacher in California

For anyone interested in learning how to become a teacher in California, there are several requirements that must be met. Requirements for teachers in the state are set by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which provides both traditional and alternative paths to becoming a certified teacher in the state.

Resources to Becoming a Teacher in California