Teaching

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Background –

Teaching in Michigan requires a state specific license. There are many ways to obtain this license. Michigan requires the completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program (elementary and secondary education), a teachable major and/or minor (secondary education), and the passing of the certification exam (MTTC). If you have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, you will need to complete a Graduate Teaching Certification.

For more specific information please visit your advisor and this website:  https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Becoming_a_Michigan_Teacher_605459_7.pdf

What can I expect to make in this career? Kindergarten & Elementary Teacher - $55, 490; High School Teacher - $58, 030*

What classes at GVSU may better prepare me for work in this career? Discuss with your advisor which courses among those on this list, along with other courses not listed here, would best serve your career goals. 

1. PSY 301 – Child Development
2. PSY 325 – Educational Psychology
3. PSY 326 – Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
4. PSY 304 – Education of the Exceptional Child
5. EDF 100 – Hands on experience volunteering in Grand Rapids Public Schools
6. EDF 315 – Diverse Perspectives in Education

What experiences outside of classes may prepare me to work as a teacher?

1. Grand Valley offers a College of Education and Community Innovation (CECI)– Graduate Teacher Certification (GTC)
   1. More information - https://www.gvsu.edu/coe/gtc/ or call (616) 331-6650 
2. Substitute Teaching
   1. Hands on classroom experience teaching – can be completed with a certain number of credits and GPA from a regionally accredited institution, background check and application
   2. More information - https://www.edustaff.org/
3. Volunteering with children in Grand Rapids
   1. Boys and Girls Club
   2. Creative Youth Center
   3. YMCA
4. Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
   1. Supporting Our Leaders (SOL) Youth Program – after school tutoring, college fieldtrips, leadership development, college and career preparation

What applicable skills are helpful to have in this field?  Teachers strive to have superb communication skills (written and oral), patience, resourcefulness, empathy, and cultural competency.

Employer Possibilities - Public school systems (elementary schools, middle schools, high schools), private or charter schools.

*Bls.gov (2016)