If you have received the calling to work in high school settings to teach students in grades 9-12 in preparation for the job market, then you should consider becoming a business teacher in secondary education. As the job hunt and college application process becomes more competitive, business teachers are increasingly important for providing high school students with marketable skills in economics, marketing, accounting, statistics, advertising, management, finance, and other in-demand general business areas. Business teachers in secondary education are responsible for building lesson plans, developing students’ skills, creating assignments, monitoring students’ progress, grading work, providing student evaluations, and enforcing classroom rules that optimize learning. For individuals interested in this rewarding career path, the following is a step-by-step guide on how to become a secondary business teacher.
Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree
Since secondary school educators generally need to specialize their major in the subject area they wish to teach, business teachers usually pursue a bachelor’s degree in business or business administration. At the baccalaureate level, a business degree will provide a comprehensive overview of essential topics in management, technology, marketing, accounting, finance, international business, and more. While majoring in business, future business teachers also typically enroll in an accredited teacher preparation program to take elective courses in classroom management, lesson planning, human development, and instructional pedagogies. In addition, business teachers often have the best job prospects with actual experience in the field, so completing an internship in a real-world business setting is very beneficial.
Achieve Secondary Teacher Certification
In every state nationwide, teachers in public schools are required to be licensed or certified to educate adolescents at the secondary school level. While requirements vary greatly from state to state, all states require that business teachers complete a bachelor’s degree, a teacher preparation program, and supervised experience in teaching. Most teacher preparation programs will ensure that all graduates complete a student teaching semester at a local high school to obtain the necessary experience in the classroom from seasoned teachers. According to Teach, once fulfilling the certification requirements in your state, most states also have mandatory examinations that must be passed before you are allowed to teach.
Complete a Master’s Degree Program
Although it is not always required to obtain employment or maintain professional certification, some states will require certified secondary school teachers to eventually earn a master’s degree in their chosen subject area too. Business teachers in secondary education often choose to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA); however, those who are not properly certified should earn a master’s degree in business education to receive the hands-on teaching experience that will be needed for certification. Beyond secondary education, receiving a master’s degree often provides the credentials needed for business teachers to expand their horizons into teaching business in community colleges or continuing education programs.
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Recently named the 4th best social service job in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report, high school teachers utilize their keen interest in teaching teens to make a difference in the lives of potentially more than 100 students daily. If you have an interest in working with students of different abilities to explain difficult concepts in general business areas, it is strongly recommended that you follow this guide on how to become a business teacher in secondary education to reach your professional aspirations in teaching.
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