Even when you know what you love to do, it can be hard  to translate that into an actual career. Maybe you know you want to work with young children or you're sure you want to teach math. But how do you decide what steps to take next? 

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. That's where coaches come in. 

What is a career coach?

Athletes aren’t the only professionals who use coaches. Anyone who wants to improve their skills and advance their game can benefit from the expert advice of a trained coach. Whether you’re trying to figure out the best training options or map out a longer-term goal, it’s smart to ask someone who’s been there.

In his Forbes article, “10 Things You Should Know About Career Coaching,” Demetrius Cheeks points out that:

“Clients can reasonably expect to gain career confidence, insight, encouragement and inspiration.” 

In other words, a coach gives you a real advantage—with insider information you wouldn’t get elsewhere and the confidence to know you can do it.  

Ready to schedule a call? Right this way. 

Why Teach Connecticut offers FREE 1-on-1 coaching

If you’re thinking about a career in education, you have several paths to choose from and so many teacher prep options it can make your head spin. We know it can be confusing, and expert advice can make all the difference. 

TEACH coaches are licensed teachers with a ton of experience navigating the education industry. Our coaches can evaluate your situation and help you to find a teaching path that works for your specific situation. 

Signing up for a one-on-one coaching session allows you to have a professional partnership in place. This is one of the keys to proven career success and helps guarantee you get where you want to be professionally.

Jean Myers—a TEACH coaching participant—explains.

“Matt knew exactly how to direct me through the complicated process of becoming a teacher, and he connected my personal educational degrees to my educational objectives while stating priority professional questions to consider.”

Jean M knows the value of an adviser—especially a free one! You can be like Jean and find someone to help you connect your career dots.

Here's how to get the most out of your coaching call

Prepare for the session in advance. 

You can prepare for your coaching session by making note of a few things. 

• What excites you about teaching? Maybe you want to share your love for science with students. Or maybe you want to make a difference by teaching in an area that currently has a shortage of teachers, like special education or English as a second language. Regardless of your why, it's important to always remember what fuels your fire.
• Identify barriers keeping from becoming a teacher. A lot of times we experience roadblocks due to lack of information. If you are unsure of program information, how to get licensed, testing requirements, deadlines, and possible financial assistance , express this to your coach during the call. Coaches are ready to help you get the wheels turning and know exactly where to pull this type of essential information from. 
• What do you already have? Do you already have a bachelor's degree? Are you certified in another state and looking to move soon? Have experience as a tutor or substitute? It’s great to share this type of information with your coach so that they are able to better find programs that truly tailor to your needs. 

Use your coach’s resources

TEACH coaches have a large portal of information and a wide network of resources to pull from. They are aware of various programs available to undergraduate, graduate, and certification students. They can provide you with key information to get your teaching career started. Be ready to take full advantage of this. 

• Find out what the industry needs. Many districts have a shortage of diverse teachers and a high demand for specific subjects such as science or special education. Knowing what subjects are in demand can help you better make decisions when choosing your license area.
• Make plans to take care of any suggested tasks they give you during the call. Your coach will often provide you with program information with applications that may have strict deadlines. Be sure to always submit any required information on or before the due date. 
• Don’t be afraid to double back around. There is no limit on how many times you can sign up for a coaching session. If you hit a roadblock or simply need more information about something, you are welcome to sign up again. All coaches have one common goal which is to help you make it to the finish line. Our coaches are here to help you discover solutions to challenges you may face trying to get your teaching career started. 

Sheemeka Hill saw this firsthand on her coaching call.

“Alicia was very helpful and made me less confused. I also love the updates and notifications sent from the TEACH site telling me about upcoming opportunities.”

Personalized coaching is the one tool all prospective teachers can benefit from. Whether you have it all planned out or no plan at all, our coaches are here to make sure you get where you desire to be. Schedule a call today with our Teach Connecticut coaches to find out how to start your path to becoming a teacher.

References: 

1. Forbes, 10 Things You Should Know About Career Coaching