When you're writing resumes and cover letters and applying for teaching jobs, there are certain skills that schools and other organizations that hire teachers expect you to have.
There are many positions that call for teaching skills: college professors, private tutors, camp counselors, park rangers, and CPR instructors all teach, to list just a few examples. But when most people say “teacher,” they mean someone who teaches children in primary or secondary school.
While many skills required for a teaching job depend on the school and the grade you are teaching, there are a number of skills needed for almost any teaching position.
2. • When you're writing resumes and cover letters and applying for
teaching jobs, there are certain skills that schools and other
organizations that hire teachers expect you to have.
• There are many positions that call for teaching skills: college
professors, private tutors, camp counselors, park rangers, and CPR
instructors all teach, to list just a few examples. But when most
people say “teacher,” they mean someone who teaches children in
primary or secondary school.
• While many skills required for a teaching job depend on the school
and the grade you are teaching, there are a number of skills needed
for almost any teaching position.
3. How to Become a Teacher
• Public schools require that applicants be certified to teach. The
certification process is part of a degree program at either the
bachelors’ or masters’ level. Teachers must also maintain current
professional development standards by taking regular refresher
courses and tests.
• The requirements vary from position to position and from state to
state. Private schools may hire non-certified teachers, but not all of
them do. Some types of private school, such as Waldorf schools,
require very specific training in a particular teaching method.
4. • If you are considering becoming a teacher, you have a long process
ahead of you to acquire the necessary educational skills, but there are
also some generalized skills that all good teachers have.
• Use this list to help determine whether a career in teaching could be
for you. Below is a list of six teaching skills that employers often want
in a teacher, as well as a longer list of other teaching skills.
5. How to Use Skills Lists
• You can use these skills lists throughout your job search process.
Firstly, you can use these skill words in your resume.
• In the description of your work history, you might want to use some
of the keywords. Secondly, you can use these in your cover letter. In
the body of your letter, you can mention one or two of these skills,
and give a specific example of a time when you demonstrated the
skills at work.
6. • Finally, you can use these skill words in your interview. Make sure you
have at least one example for a time you demonstrated each of the
top five skills listed here. Of course, each job will require different
skills and experiences, so make sure you read the job description
carefully and focus on the skills listed by the employer. Here is a list of
the top six teaching skills.
7. Communication
• Teaching, by definition, is a form of communication, so it follows that
a teacher must have excellent communication skills. These include
both verbal and written communication, professional yet friendly
body language, and the ability to really listen.
• You also must be able to adapt your communication style to the
needs of different students, depending on their age, culture, ability,
and learning style. You will also have to communicate in clear,
accurate, and professional terms with parents, colleagues, and
administrators, both in person and in writing.
8. • Verbal communication skills are extremely important in teaching. You
need to be able to effectively speak with your students, using a calm,
clear tone. You must be able to explain the material in terms that are
both accessible and meaningful to the students. Body language is also
important – you want to appear confident in your stance and your
facial expressions.
• Written communication is also important. As a teacher, you will send
many emails to colleagues and will write messages to parents and
students as well. You want your writing to be clear and grammatically
correct. Finally, listening is an extremely important communication
skill for teachers. Teachers need to listen to the concerns of students,
colleagues, and parents and show that they understand what others
are saying.
9. Critical Thinking
• Teachers need to be able to solve a variety of problems, often under a
tight deadline.
• They need to answer difficult questions from students on the spot,
solve conflicts between students, revise lesson plans, and deal with
issues among colleagues. A good teacher knows what resources to
use to solve these kinds of questions quickly and effectively.
• Teachers have to juggle a number of tasks, from teaching to attending
meetings, to lesson planning, to grading. Getting all of it done in a
timely manner requires excellent physical organization and time
management.
10. • An added challenge is that teachers are usually held responsible for
doing more work than can possibly fit into the hours of a traditional
work day. Some work from home is a virtual necessity, but only
excellent organizational skills - and excellent professional boundaries -
can help a teacher determine which tasks can safely be left undone in
order to free up necessary personal time.
11. Organization
• Teachers have to juggle a number of tasks, from teaching to attending
meetings to lesson planning to grading. Teachers need to be able to
keep all of these duties organized, and complete tasks in a timely
manner.
12. Patience
• Teachers need to demonstrate patience, particularly when dealing
with difficult classroom situations. They often have to explain
concepts multiple times, and have to manage students who might act
up or have a difficult time in class. Dealing with parents, colleagues,
and administrators can also be trying.
• A teacher must handle all of it with a calm, professional
demeanor and careful attention to the challenge of the moment.
While some people are naturally more patient than others, the
emotional control and maturity that go into patience can be learned
and must be practiced.
13. Technical Skills
• Teachers must, of course, understand the material that they teach.
Naturally, different positions require different types and levels of skill,
but even teachers of very young children need significant expertise. It
is not enough for a first-grade math teacher to know how to perform
basic arithmetic, for example. He or she must have a deep
understanding of numbers and numeric relationships in order to be
able to explain the material in a thorough and responsive way.
14. teaching jobs
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