How To Become a Teacher for Free Online: 5 Steps

</p> <p><a href="https://learn.org/articles/Teaching_How_to_Become_a_Teacher_in_5_Steps.html">Becoming a teacher</a> is an admirable goal, but it can also be a difficult and expensive one. </p> <p>Many teachers need specialized education, and there are licensure and certification requirements for public school teachers that differ based on where you live and work. </p> <p>To make it just that much easier on you, we've got a guide here that teaches you how to become a teacher for free online, from what steps you need to take to what teaching and learning opportunities are available to you in your state. </p> <h2 id="section---YourStepByStepGuideToBecomeATeacherForFreeOnline">Your Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Teacher for Free Online</h2> <p>If you're ready to save money while becoming an influential teacher to the next generation, here are the five steps you need to know to become a teacher for free online today. </p> <h3 id="section---1.GetYourDegree">1. Get Your Degree</h3> <p>The first step is, of course, to get your degree. </p> <p>Teachers can get specialized degrees that let them meet the requirements for certain grade levels or special needs classrooms, but they can also choose to simply get a degree in the subject they want to teach. </p> <p>In later steps, there are opportunities for specialization and teaching experience that make it easier to become a teacher even without a teaching degree. </p> <p>But how can you get your degree to become a teacher for free online? </p> <h4 id="section---WaysToMakeYourCollegeEducationFree">Ways to Make Your College Education Free</h4> <p>The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant provides up to $4,000 a year to students completing a degree in or related to teaching with the intent to enter public school education, as long as they agree to complete a teaching service obligation after obtaining the degree. </p> <p>To be eligible, students need to be at a college that offers the TEACH Grant, be in a TEACH Grant-eligible program, complete the FAFSA demonstrate basic need for federal student aid programs, and meet the academic achievement requirements specified by your college. </p> <p>Then, you'll receive counseling about the TEACH Grant, sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay and start your education. </p> <p>Starting as early as 2019, some districts and states in the U.S. began to offer free apprenticeships and covered college tuition for aspiring teachers to combat the teaching shortage. </p> <p>For example, West Virginia has an apprenticeship program that takes on 200 teacher trainees at once, and Iowa has 17 different free education programs for teachers. </p> <p>So whether you want to start your education online, want to teach online after graduating, or just need a bit of help in affording your degree, you can become a teacher for free online through these programs and grants. </p> <h3 id="section---2.GetACertificationOrLicenseInYourState">2. Get a Certification or License in Your State</h3> <p>Once you have the required education, it's time to get the certification or licensure that you need to be able to teach in your state. </p> <p>Each state has different requirements for licensure and certification, so make sure to check online with your state's Board of Education and speak to your college instructors to find out what you need to do. </p> <p>Generally, having a degree, a certain GPA, completing teacher certification tests, and a background check are required before you can begin to teach professionally. </p> <h3 id="section---3.GetRelatedExperience">3. Get Related Experience</h3> <p>Whether during your degree program or while you're getting your licensure, it's important to get the student teaching and general experience you need to become a teacher. </p> <p>Many programs will have opportunities for students to teach, regardless of whether you get your education online or on campus, and any job where you work directly with or are entrusted to care for children can provide valuable experience as you work on your licensure and specialization before <a href="https://learn.org/articles/How_Do_I_Become_a_Teacher.html">becoming a teacher</a>. </p> <h3 id="section---4.GetAdditionalEducationAndSpecializationsOptional">4. Get Additional Education and Specializations (Optional)</h3> <p>If you want to step up in your education, you can either get higher education degrees, such as a <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Masters_Degree_FAQs.html">master's degree</a> or use certifications and free teacher training opportunities to specialize in a particular subject or age group. </p> <p>While a master's degree can be costly if you can't get <a href="https://learn.org/articles/types_of_college_financial_aid.html">financial aid</a>, there are plenty of free teacher training opportunities online. </p> <p>Teachers of Tomorrow has compiled a list of over 20 opportunities current or aspiring teachers can take advantage of right now to learn how to plan virtual field trips, work with multilingual students, use modern technology to teach online, incorporate learning games into lesson plans, teach college-level science courses, and much more. </p> <p>This can help you get a leg up in your employment, as well as make you more valuable and knowledgeable as a teacher once you enter the field. </p> <h3 id="section---5.ApplyForAndAcceptPositionsOnline">5. Apply for and Accept Positions Online</h3> <p>Your last step is just to use the resources you have available to you online, such as Indeed and ZipRecruiter, to apply online for teaching positions that you qualify for. </p> <p>Using these job sites is entirely free, and you can also use professional networking sites like LinkedIn to establish yourself and find openings in your area. </p> <p>Once you've received one or more offers of employment, take some time to consider which is the best option for you, and then accept. Now, you have become a teacher for free or mostly free online. </p> <h2 id="section---UseFreeResourcesToBecomeATeacherOnlineToday">Use Free Resources to Become a Teacher Online Today</h2> <p>Now that you know how to become a teacher for free online, as well as what additional opportunities for advancement you have as a teacher working online, it's time to choose the program you want to earn your degree with today so you can become a successful modern teacher tomorrow.</p>