You may know that you would like to be a teacher when you graduate, but do you know what subject to teach? Prospective teachers who are studying education to earn their certification may find pinpointing a subject area or even an age group to teach more difficult than choosing a career path. Understandably, you want to select a specialization or subject area that plays on your strengths and that you are passionate about, but when you have several options, narrowing these options can be a daunting task. Here are some tips for prospective teaching students to use when trying to decide which subject to teach:
What Is Your Personality Type and Subject Area Interests?
Stereotypes surround teachers and the subjects that they teach. You may not fit into one specific stereotype, but studies show that there is a clear connection between a teaching professional’s personality type and the subject area that they are best at teaching. You can take personality type quizzes for fun, but the key to finding the best subject area is to consider your areas of interest. You will need to select a subject area that is going to hold your attention. After all, it is not ideal to get stuck teaching a subject on a daily basis that you just are not passionate about. You need to think about subjects that you excelled in throughout school. If you are a natural at math or science, these may be areas of focus. If you were more talented in humanities, focus on the arts or language.
Select an Age Group With Which You Would Like to Work
If you have always dreamed of working with elementary students, chances are you will teach several different subjects. You will need to teach students fundamentals in language, math, science and social sciences so that they are prepared to succeed later. Teachers of older students in sixth grade or higher will most likely teach one subject area and must take a unique teaching approach depending on the subject. You should visit classroom environments at various age groups, and then determine which level is best suited to your preferences.
Remember How Important Demand is in Your Area
Once you earn your certification, you want to know that you will be able to use your license to teach in your area. Employment prospects can change on a regular basis, and it is best to search for a position when the education employment outlook for your area looks good. If you are trying to decide between two different subject areas and you cannot make the decision easily, research what type of job listings are available in local districts or colleges. This will show you where your training is most likely to pay off when you are searching for employment. These are all important factors to consider as you are trying to pinpoint which subject you should be teaching. Make sure you always consider your strengths and your interests first. Once you do this, you can decide on an age group. If you have several different options to choose from, consider teacher shortage areas so you can choose a subject area where the competition is not as fierce. Taking these steps will help you decide what subject to teach.
