Because of my own experience, I understand that the journey into teaching does not look the same for every student. Some students know they want to become teachers from an early age. Others need more time to recognize that calling. Both experiences are valid.
God may be speaking to your heart even before you are prepared to listen.
You do not need to have your entire future figured out, but there are practical steps you can take now to explore teaching and prepare for the journey ahead.
One of my strongest pieces of advice for future teachers is simple: spend time with young people.
Volunteer. Babysit. Tutor. Coach a sport. Teach Sunday school. Serve in a youth program.
These experiences can help you discover whether teaching is the right path and which age level, subject area, or learning environment may be the best fit. They can also help you understand your own strengths. As you work with young people, you begin to recognize your patience, communication style, creativity, and ability to build relationships.
Experience with young people may also strengthen your resume and help you become more competitive for scholarships, jobs, or residency programs. More importantly, it gives you the opportunity to determine whether you genuinely enjoy helping students learn and grow.
Once you begin considering a career in education, pay attention to the teachers you admire.
Notice how they explain difficult ideas, respond to students, and create a welcoming classroom environment. Think about the habits and practices you may want to carry into your own teaching one day.
You can also talk with trusted friends, family members, or mentors who work in education. Ask what they wish they had known before entering the classroom. Ask what challenged them, what helped them grow, and what keeps them motivated.
Those conversations can give you a more honest and practical understanding of the teaching profession.
Choose a college program that gives you opportunities to spend time in real classrooms early in your education.
Classroom experience can help confirm your commitment to teaching while allowing you to connect what you are learning in college with what happens in schools each day. It can also help you determine what kind of teacher you want to become.
At Fresno Pacific University, students begin gaining classroom experience through the introductory Pathway to Teaching course. They complete eight observations in a local school and discuss what they see alongside what they are learning in class.
Students continue building practical experience throughout the program, including lesson planning, classroom observations, and a senior capstone experience.
For many students, those early classroom visits are when teaching begins to feel real.
You do not have to navigate the teaching credential process alone.
Look for a college where faculty and advisors understand the pathway and will help you select the courses, experiences, and opportunities that support your goals.
At FPU, advisors help students prioritize required courses while exploring electives, concentrations, or minors that align with their interests. Faculty members also monitor student progress and help connect students with support when challenges arise.
There is no shame in asking for help or accepting support. Teacher preparation can be academically challenging, especially in an accelerated pathway.
You need a village behind you, and we want to be that village.
Learning about degree and credential requirements early can help you make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary delays.
At FPU, the Integrated Teacher Education Program, also known as ITEP, allows traditional undergraduate students to begin teacher preparation while completing their bachelor’s degree. Through the pathway, students can work toward a Bachelor of Arts degree and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in four years.
An integrated pathway may also make college more affordable by reducing the number of years a student needs to finance.
Learn more about our ITEP program
Becoming a teacher is not only about completing a degree or earning a credential. It is about listening to a calling, learning how to serve students well, and preparing for the responsibility of leading a classroom.
You do not need to know every step before you begin.
Spend time with young people. Observe excellent teachers. Ask thoughtful questions. Look for meaningful classroom experience and choose a college community where people will know and support you.
Those early steps can help you discover your gifts and make the path from student to teacher feel much clearer.
To become a teacher in California, you typically need to earn a bachelor’s degree, complete an approved teacher preparation program, meet state requirements, and complete student teaching or other required classroom experience. The specific pathway depends on the grade level and subject you want to teach.
Your college major may depend on the students or subject you hope to teach. Students preparing to teach elementary school often choose liberal studies or another degree designed to prepare them for a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Students interested in middle or high school teaching may major in the subject they plan to teach.
Yes. An Integrated Teacher Education Program allows eligible students to begin credential preparation while completing their bachelor’s degree. At FPU, traditional undergraduate students can work toward a Bachelor of Arts degree and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in four years.
High school students can prepare by tutoring, volunteering, coaching, babysitting, or participating in youth programs. They can also observe teachers, ask educators about their experiences, and explore college programs that provide early classroom experience.
The timing depends on the college program. At FPU, students begin observing local classrooms through the introductory Pathway to Teaching course and continue gaining practical experience throughout their degree and credential preparation.
