If you are interested in becoming a health teacher, your first step is to get a teaching, or education degree with a minor in health. There are a few other routes you can take for teaching health as well. Use these tips to learn how to become a health teacher.
Education
If you want to assume an entry level position as a health teacher, most states will accept a bachelor’s degree in education. You may also need a degree in a health-related major if you live in certain states. In addition, your qualifications will determine which grade level you can teach. While acquiring your teaching degree, take courses specifically in human anatomy and psychology if you want to specialize as a health teacher. For a more advanced position than an entry-level health educator, a Master’s of Arts or Master’s of Science degree is appropriate. Some employers may offer continuing education programs for you to stay up to date.
Health teachers can receive certification by the National Commission of Health Education. You must pass the required exam administered. The exam and certification is mostly aimed at individuals who want to pursue an entry level position. You must have already completed a bachelor’s degree to take the exam. To maintain your certification, you must have completed seventy five hours of approved courses in continuing education.
If you’re thinking about becoming a health teacher at the university level, the requirements vary a bit. Colleges that provide four-year degrees will usually need health teachers that have a doctorate degree. For specific disciplines, some universities and colleges will accept individuals that have a master’s degree.
Job Description
To become a health teacher you must have a good understanding of living a healthy lifestyle and the prevention of diseases and injuries. Information is given to students about how to administer proper nutrition, the significance of exercise and other health related topics. Health teachers will usually conduct classes using various tools and resources. Most courses taught are offered in the classroom. Health teachers provide instructions to their students both academically and vocationally. A health teacher can offer his or her expertise to elementary, middle, high school and college students. However, the education level will be different for each level of teaching. Teachers will have to formulate lesson plans, present materials well, respond to their students’ learning needs, evaluate the progress of their students, grade papers and provide further assistance, if necessary. The health teacher will also have to stay up to date with the newest information in their field by pursuing continuing education or advanced degrees. This is a specialized field of teaching and requires a good amount of knowledge about health.
Students will be expected to do lab work, in which the teacher will administer the appropriate methods of participation. Class times are generally flexible. Health teachers will oftentimes teach a number of different students throughout the day, but these class times are pre-scheduled. If you become a health teacher in grades K-12, then your schedule will be more fixed. Usually 8-3pm, for example.
Job Outlook and Salary
Employment openings for health teachers are growing fast. For tenured positions, though, the competition is great. For part-time positions, there are endless opportunities. The increased enrollment in colleges and universities are opening up various job possibilities for health teachers. Most high schools have a health education course that students are required to take, so there will always be a need for health teachers at the high school level. Salaries for health teachers range between $41,000 to $83,000 depending on qualifications, education and where you teach.
Health teachers specialize in various fields such as medicine, laboratory technology, dentistry, public health and therapy. Each specialty offers a different salary bracket, but for the most part, health teachers are generally financially rewarded by their credentials.