Teacher Qualifications And Skills (With Different Types)

Updated 9 April 2023

Teachers work in various settings, such as schools, universities and colleges, and educate students on various topics and subjects. It can be a rewarding career path for candidates who want to create a positive impact on the life of students. Learning about the skills, education and experience necessary for becoming a teacher can help you prepare for the job search process. In this article, we discuss important teacher qualifications, such as education, certifications and skills, and provide a list of different types of teachers along with their duties and specific qualifications.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are associated with Indeed.

What Are Teacher Qualifications?

Teacher qualifications are a set of requirements that employers look for when hiring for a teaching position. They include education, certifications, training, skills and experience. Many educational institutions prefer hiring well-trained teachers who are experts in specific subjects. Here are some basic qualifications necessary for becoming a teacher:

Education

The educational requirements to become a teacher depend on the type of institution in which you want to apply. For example, private teachers can have different requirements compared with government teachers. To become a government teacher, you may complete entrance examinations such as the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET), National Eligibility Test (NET) or Teacher Eligibility Test (TET). After completing your 10+2 level, you then study for a 2-year bachelor's degree in education (B.Ed.). Pursuing higher education can be a great way to improve your teaching knowledge. It also allows you to apply for senior teaching positions.

Having more than one degree can help you fill your portfolio with the skills and credibility necessary for teaching effectively. You can pursue a master's degree in education (M.Ed.) to learn new teaching methods. Effective teaching involves a combination of understanding the psychology of education and classroom management. By completing an M.Ed., you gain more knowledge about your subject and stay up to date with the latest training philosophies and practices.

Experience

The required work experience for a teaching role depends on the employer and the job requirements. Many educational institutions prefer candidates who have previous experience of teaching students in a classroom setting. You can gain experience and improve your portfolio by volunteering in a school or educational organisation and teaching specific subjects. This can help you to understand the basics of teaching and improve your tutoring skills. Depending on the job role, some institutions may hire teachers experienced in educational administration or social work.

Before applying for any teaching position, study the goals and mission of the institution to which you are applying. This can help you determine the level of experience they are looking for in potential candidates. After completing your education, you can apply for an entry-level teaching job in the following types of educational bodies:

Private schools
Government schools
Art or music schools
Colleges or universities
Private coaching classes

Skills

The skills necessary for becoming a teacher may depend on the specific requirements of the job role. Here are some skills that you may require as a teacher:

Expertise in specific subjects
Written and verbal communication
Ability to adapt to different situations
Knowledge of teaching software and tools
Ability to teach students experiencing challenge with learning
Time management skills
Innovative training strategies
Flexibility to modify training principles
Classroom management
Leadership
Conflict management

Personality traits

Possessing certain personality traits can help you connect and build good relations with students and fellow teachers. During the interview process, hiring managers may evaluate these traits and determine if you are a good fit for the role. Some examples of such qualities are effective communication, empathy, patience and adaptability. You may also require creativity and organisation to make your teaching methods more effective. Each student may respond differently to you in the classroom, and having creative skills can help you implement different teaching methods to promote productivity.

Educational institutions may prefer hiring teachers who have the knowledge and experience to engage their students using innovative methods of teaching. Patience is another important trait for teachers, as they use it to provide extra support and help to students who learn and adapt slower than others. These personality traits can be mandatory for candidates who want to become special education teachers.

Criminal background check

Educational institutions often conduct criminal background checks during the hiring process to ensure a candidate does not have a criminal background. Teaching is a job that involves a level of responsibility for students' welfare and development. Background checks help ensure the safety of students and other staff at an educational institution.

Qualifications To Become Different Types Of Teachers

Different types of teachers may require different qualifications to perform specific duties and responsibilities. Here are some teaching roles that you can pursue, along with their qualifications:

Elementary school teachers

In general, elementary school teachers educate students from nursery to class five at public or government schools. They help students to build a strong foundation for their future academic development. As an elementary school teacher, you may teach multiple subjects, such as mathematics, science, social science, English and Hindi.

Elementary school teachers focus on analysing each student's ability to learn and find ways to improve it. They also share regular feedback with parents. The required education qualification to become an elementary school teacher is typically a B.Ed. with an aggregate score of 50% from any recognised university. You can also pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc) or diploma in elementary education.

Middle school teachers

Many government schools hire trained teachers to educate students between elementary and high school. Middle school teachers often require deep knowledge and expertise in a specific subject. They teach students in classes five to eight. As a middle school teacher, you may get assigned to teach one or two subjects such as English, maths or social studies. Similar to other teaching roles, they also communicate with parents about educational progress and the classroom behaviour of students. You can become a middle school teacher by pursuing an undergraduate degree in a specific subject and gaining a B.Ed. certificate.

High school teachers

Schools and institutions hire experienced teachers specialising in a particular subject for teaching students in classes nine to 12. High school teachers plan lectures and help students with different topics using their expertise. You may also prepare students for higher education. High school teachers are also responsible for implementing and maintaining a positive environment in the classroom. To become one, complete a dual degree, including a BA or a BSc and a B.Ed. You may also require a postgraduate degree in your area of specialisation.

College or university professors

These are the professional teachers specialising in a particular subject and teaching students in colleges or universities. They conduct research, teach specific topics and contribute to meetings, conferences or committees designed for advising students. As a college professor, you may create courses and teaching patterns to cover an entire syllabus.

You may also deliver lectures and conduct assignments or exams to determine the potential of each student. Many colleges hire professors with a postgraduate degree in a certain field and a qualifying score in entrance examinations such as Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) NET or University Grants Commission (UGC) NET.

Art or music teachers

Several institutions, such as community centres and public or private schools, hire teachers to teach the disciplines of art and music to students. Music teachers are responsible for teaching students the basics of music and how to play musical instruments. They may also provide singing training. Consider pursuing a BA in music to start your career as a music teacher.

Art teachers help students learn various techniques of drawing, painting and colouring. They teach students how to effectively use pencils, colours and brushes in different artistic projects. You can pursue a bachelor's degree in visual arts, drawing or other relevant fields to become an art teacher. Teaching music or art can be a rewarding career, as it allows you to convert your passion into a job opportunity.