How to Become a Cosmetology Teacher?

Before you decide to become a teacher, it's a good idea to make sure you enjoy instructing others and working with students. You'll also need to choose a subject and age group to instruct. For example, college professors have very different workdays from elementary school teachers.

Volunteer at a local nonprofit where you can help teach others. Many museums, historic sites, zoos, and other attractions rely on volunteers to lead tour groups and classes. Working with several organizations lets you try teaching different subjects and decide if you want to work with young kids or older students. Volunteer experience also shows that you care about your community, making you more appealing to employers.

To obtain a teaching credential and get a job as a teacher at an accredited institution, you'll need to spend some time as a student-teacher. The requirements vary depending on the state, but most states require a minimum GPA, approval from a faculty member, a criminal background check, and a medical exam. Applicants must be in the final year of their degree and usually need to pass state teaching exams.

Student teaching programs usually last for one or two semesters. During that time, you'll teach students while getting feedback and evaluations from an instructor. After you finish your student teaching, you can apply for a teaching license or certification in your state, which is required by most public and private institutions. In some states, teachers with a license in another state can start teaching immediately as long as they get a license in their current state within a designated amount of time.