Last updated: April 09, 2022
On average, teachers affect more than 3,000 students during their career. If we consider the impact of a strong teacher on a students’ social, emotional and educational abilities, the scale of their influence extends so much further than we could tangibly quantify. In a study of U.S. students between the ages of 7 and 15, 83 percent said that a teacher helped boost their self-esteem and confidence, while 79 percent reported having a teacher who encouraged them to follow their dreams. In this way, teachers serve a deeper value than just giving our next generation the tools they need to be successful; teachers inspire our students for greatness beyond the classroom.
If you're working towards a degree with a goal of becoming a teacher, there are hundreds of financial aid and scholarships for teachers that you qualify for. Private institutions and government agencies provide more than just financial support for the aspiring teacher, but the educational support to help you get there.
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In her candid blog for new teachers, Elena explains that her number one piece of advice to any educator is to know why you are a teacher. Because, she says, “when the reasons are really strong, teaching is much, much easier.”
“I teach because, for me, it's the most effective and most enjoyable way to change the world. That's the bottom line: We need to change this world, and this is the way I'm choosing to do it. Teaching allows me to work on hearts and minds, to guide people in becoming empowered, literate, engaged, creative, liberated human beings who want to join in this effort to change the world.”
— Elena Aguilar
It’s no question that teachers have one of the most important and relevant jobs for making a real impact on our world. For education majors wishing to create change of their own, there are ways to prepare for the classroom before even stepping into one.
Aspiring teachers will take classes in human development, child psychology, curriculum design and specific coursework catered to the level at which students wish to teach. This catered curriculum prepares students to become experts at teaching at their desired grade level. Teachers at the post-secondary level are usually required to have a master’s degree or higher.
All prospective teachers must participate in professional fieldwork, which are often included in education degree programs, where students assist in an in-class environment. This helps students practice and gain experience as student teachers.
Certain licensing may not be necessary, especially for private school teachers and will vary by state. However, most state licensing will require a bachelor’s degree, supervised teaching experience and the completion of a teacher education program, to qualify.
This resource is a digital teaching magazine to inspire teachers to push their creativity to new levels, with engaging lesson plans and activities to try in the classroom.
This multimedia tool is a helpful resource for teachers to make interactive posters for students to engage with the lessons they’re learning.
The Smithsonian offers thousands of resources for educators including lesson plans, virtual tours of latest exhibits, and connect with experts through this site.
This site offers an overview of the Common Core State Standards, and what teachers can reasonably expect students to learn at all grade levels.
The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) is an online digital library of education resources and information supported by the United States Department of Education.
Using primary sources from the Library of Congress, this database offers teacher created, classroom tested lesson plans for the aspiring educator.
There are hundreds of scholarships for education majors, which are awarded by local organizations, private companies, societies and more.
Grants don’t need to be paid back and are based on your financial circumstances. They are usually funded by the federal government, your state or college.
While scholarships usually fund tuition, fellowships typically cover graduate study, research projects and abroad experiences without needing to be paid back.
You can borrow money from the government or a bank, but it needs to be paid back with interest. The federal government offers many loan options—fill out the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for financial aid. If you need help, use our interactive guide to learn how to answer every question.
Provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to pay education expenses.
If you’re just beginning the process of finding suitable scholarships, make sure you’re prepared for the application process by starting a folder with the assets below.