Teaching is one of the most honorable professions you can pursue. Teachers are responsible for not only the academic education of their students, but also developing the emotional intelligence of these young learners. In other words, a good teacher can change a child’s life. In the state of Connecticut, there are over 512,000 students in the elementary and secondary education system. Students can expect a 13:1 teaching ratio and benefit from the skills of Connecticut’s talented educators. If a career in education is of interest to you, you may wonder what the requirements are, exactly, for teachers in Connecticut. From education to certification, here are the Connecticut teacher requirements for both elementary and secondary educators.
Elementary Education Teachers (Grades 1-6)
Elementary school teachers are responsible for educating students between first grade and sixth grade. These teachers instruct young students in basic subjects like math, science, and reading, in preparation for secondary school. In all states including Connecticut, elementary teachers must become certified to teach in public schools.
Education Requirements
In order to become certified as an elementary school teacher in Connecticut, candidates should first complete an educator preparatory program. This program must be approved by the state, and completed at a regionally-accredited college or university. Educator preparation programs are offered at different levels, including:
- Undergraduate, Bachelor’s degree
- Five-year, Bachelor’s and Master’s degree
- Post-baccalaureate, Master’s degree
- Post-baccalaureate, Alternative route to certification (non-credit)
An educator preparatory program prepares future teachers to educate a wide variety of students, in an assortment of environments. These programs provide fieldwork experience, mentorship, and the classes students need to become versatile and effective teachers. Students must complete a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in order to become teachers. However, many teachers decide to continue on to graduate school and earn a master’s degree in Elementary Education. This level program offers teachers extensive knowledge in an array of elementary subjects, such as language arts, math, and social studies. Master’s degree programs can prepare teachers to hold administrative positions, fill leadership roles, and work in specialized areas, such as Special Education. For educators who want to remain in teaching positions, a master’s degree can lead to an increase in pay and job opportunities. It is, however, possible to earn teaching certification without a master’s degree.
Skills Required
In addition to having the knowledge base necessary to teach elementary school, teachers should be able to lead a classroom, communicate effectively, and teach one or more subjects well. A good teacher should be patient, confident, and creative. They should also be able to monitor a student’s progress accurately and provide additional resources, should their students need extra support. They’ll also need to prepare students for standardized testing and for advancing to the next grade.
Secondary Education Teachers (Grades 7-12)
Secondary education teachers are responsible for teaching students between seventh and twelfth grade. They plan lessons in specific subject areas, prepare students for standardized state tests, and track student progress. Additionally, secondary school teachers help students develop the skills needed for life after graduation, whether that be college or a career. In all states including Connecticut, secondary education teachers in public schools are required to be licensed or certified in the specific grade level they will teach.
Education Requirements
Just as elementary school teachers must complete an educator preparatory program, aspiring high school teachers must also complete a state-approved program. Similarly, this program must be fulfilled at an accredited college or university. This is necessary to earn state certification in Connecticut. These programs can include:
- Undergraduate, Bachelor’s degree
- Five-year, Bachelor’s and Master’s degree
- Post-baccalaureate, Master’s degree
- Post-baccalaureate, Alternative route to certification (non-credit)
Unlike elementary school teachers who teach a variety of subjects, secondary school educators frequently specialize in a single subject area. Students who wish to become high school teachers, therefore, should earn at least a bachelor’s degree in the subject area they want to teach. They should also complete a student-teaching internship in the subject area(s) they are interested in teaching. Teachers who earn a master’s degree in Secondary Education, however, will have higher earning potential over the course of their career, and can gain strong content knowledge in dedicated subjects such as:
- Business
- Science
- English
- History or Social Studies
- Mathematics
- Music
- Language Arts or Reading
Skills Required
High school teachers must prepare courses, assign and grade homework and tests, set classroom rules, and meet with administrators. They must also be able to provide extra mentoring and tutoring to students who require additional support. Secondary school teachers, therefore, must be highly organized, patient, creative, flexible, and capable of strong critical thinking.
Certification Requirements for Teachers in Connecticut
One of the most important Connecticut teacher requirements is that teachers earn certification. State certification is required to teach in all public schools, and may be required in some private schools, as well, depending on the institution.
As part of a teacher preparation program, students are typically required to pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills tests. Teachers seeking to become specialized in a certain subject area, such as secondary school educators, must complete the Praxis II examination in their desired teaching area (such as Science or Mathematics). Aspiring elementary school teachers and special education teachers in Connecticut, meanwhile, must take the Pearson Foundations of Reading test. Elementary education teachers working with grades 1 through 3 must also pass the Connecticut Teacher Certification Examinations Early Childhood exam (CTCE).
Connecticut has a tiered system for teacher certification. Teachers first earn the Initial Educator Certificate. Teachers then earn a Provisional Educator Certificate by finishing the TEAM Mentoring program and thirty months of teaching. Finally, teachers can earn the Professional Educator Certificate after completing graduate coursework. For students who have a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than education may pursue alternative certification programs. This may include the Alternate Route to Teacher Certification (ARC).
Teachers are highly skilled and talented professionals, having the education and credentials to support their expertise. Becoming a teacher in Connecticut requires a college degree as well as professional certification to show competency in the field. If you want to pursue a career in which you can change lives and make an impact, consider earning your degree in education!
Do you want to become a teacher in Connecticut? Learn more about our programs here!