If you like the idea of becoming a teacher, but don’t think you’ve got the patience for teaching kids, you might want to consider becoming an adult education instructor. This career path will bring you into contact with adult students who want to either master new skills or fine tune those they’ve already got. There are a number of different places you can find employment, but the most common are community colleges or non-profit organizations. It is the type of job you can do part-time, with many choosing to teach on the weekends or at night school.
What Qualifications are Required?
To teach adults in an educational setting you will need a bachelor’s degree. However, some states will prefer a master’s degree. An online Master of Education in Instructional Design is one option. To find out the exact requirements it is best to check with your state’s Department of Education or the US Department of Education. Whatever the qualification required it will be in your best interests to get the highest grades possible as these may impact on your ability to obtain a license.
While qualifications are a necessity, real-life experience is also needed. Work experience, although usually unpaid, can teach you valuable skills which you may not learn in a classroom. To get work experience, you can write to a local school and volunteer with them. With both qualifications and work experience, your resume will be much stronger.
You May be Required to Obtain a License
The requirements for a license vary across different states and the best way to find out is to contact your local government education department. Generally, for a government-run, government-funded program or public school-associated program you’ll need to obtain state licensing. This will include a certification process and a bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade average.
Finding Work as a Teacher
There are a wide range of environments in which you’ll be able to find work as an adult education instructor. These include local schools, community outreach centers, community colleges or for a private company. Each of these different organizations will have different requirements you’ll need to meet.
Just because you’ve found work as an adult education instructor doesn’t mean your career has to end there. Opportunities for advancement include the position of a counselor, principle or administration position. You can continue with your education by studying for advanced degrees and other education credentials.
What Does an Adult Education Teacher Do?
Aside from the obvious, as in instruct in your chosen subject, there are a number of other tasks that will make up your day. You’ll be creating lesson plans to ensure your learners meet their goals. Adjustments will also have to made to allow for different styles, strengths and weaknesses. Monitoring and recording your students progress will form part of your day and you’ll be assessing them for learning disabilities. A number of other skills will also be taught such as resume building and interview techniques as well as time management and study skills.
You need to be a special kind of person to be an adult education teacher. The most important skills you need will be communication skills, resourcefulness, cultural sensitivity and patience.