Back to Career Guides

How to become a Teacher

24,345

Teacher jobs

16,912

Teacher courses

Career progression and salary expectations for a Teacher

Teaching Assistant

| Up to £20,000

Teacher

| Up to £30,000

Head of Department

| Up to £40,000

The role of a Teacher

What does a Teacher do?

Think you’d be able to educate a new generation? Feel at your best in front of a blackboard? You should try teaching…As a Teacher, it’s your job to help children get the most out of their education. This could be involve building the foundations at primary school level, or working with those that are nearly ready to their next challenge after secondary school. Whatever ages the children you work with are, the goal remains the same: to inspire and motivate them to learn.Typical duties for a Teacher include:

Preparing lesson plans and learning activities
Marking work and grading exams
Discussing pupil progress with parents and carers
Preparing pupils for exams and further education
Managing behaviour of students, and encouraging them to succeed

Is a career as a Teacher right for me?

Teachers are passionate, not just about their subject matter, but also about their pupil’s development. They should be able to motivate their students and help them fulfil their potential, whatever subject or age group they teach. The best teachers don’t just provide all the answers; they help people find them for themselves.Some teachers may also encourage standing on tables and quote the poetry of Walt Whitman, although this is by no means a pre-requisite.Key skills include:

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Creativity
The ability to keep students engaged and motivated in their learning
Patience
Trustworthiness and relatability

What's it like to be a Teacher?

"I’ve always been a bit of a geek at heart really. Or, as my family might say, a bit of a know-it-all. I loved school and loved learning, and becoming a Teacher just seemed like something I was born to do. I gained my PGCE after uni, and started out as a Primary School Teacher, something I've been for the last three years. I love seeing how my students develop, and seeing them really engage with a subject and enjoy their education is really rewarding. At the end of the year, you also get quite a few presents. You know, if you like that kind of thing…"

Get qualified as a Teacher

To become a Teacher, you will need to start Initial Teacher Training (ITT), either through university-led training (e.g. undergraduate or postgraduate award), or through school-led work-based training (i.e. working in a school whilst studying for your PGCE). After ITT, you may gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Recommended Teaching courses

Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (RQF)

Sirius Group

0nline, self-paced
- Compare
- Online
- 12 months · Self-paced
- Regulated qualification
- Exam(s) included
- Tutor support
Great service

See more See less

Are you passionate about education and eager to take your teaching career to the next level? Look no further! Our Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (RQF) is designed to empower educators like you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the ever-evolving field of …
£475
Award in Education and Training - AET (Formerly PTTLS)

Kingston Open College

Focus Award AET| Level 3 AET | PTLLS Level 3| 2 4/7 Tutor support
- Compare
- New course!
- Online
- 120 hours · Self-paced
- Regulated qualification
- Tutor support
Great service

See more See less

AET/Level 3 Award in Education and Training/ Level 3 AET/PTLLS/Award in Education and Training, whatever you want to name it—KOC has the best version available. Join us in obtaining this world-regarded teaching credential to enhance the education sector. An impactful introduction …
£339