Volunteer or Work in a Classroom

A great place to start is to check with your local school. Schools usually have plenty of volunteer roles where you can experience the school setting and talk to students and teachers. 

Consider tutoring, assisting a teacher in the classroom, or even working in an after school program.

Need some inspo? Check out our Try Teaching page for in-school opportunities.

Find Teachers Online

You can learn A LOT about teaching by following teachers on Twitter, Instagram and more. It's a great way to get into conversations with current educators and to learn about virtual events. Check with your local school districts and follow their accounts. You're sure to find teachers there!

You'll find clever and creative teachers on all social media platforms. Here's a couple of lists to get your started:

• "20 Inspiring Educators to Follow on Twitter"
• "10 EDU Educators to Follow on Twitter"
• "30 Educators to Follow on Instagram For Helpful Anti-Racist Resources"

The beauty of developing a relationship with teachers is that you can ask questions really specific to your own situation and get advice that works for your unique path.

Here are a few ideas:

• What is your favorite thing about teaching and what is the most challenging?
• What teacher prep program did you attend and what did you like about it?
• Did you feel prepared for your first year? What do you wish someone had told you?
• What should I look for in a teaching program?
• Which tests do I need to take to get certified, and when should I take them?
• What resources do you recommend—what books, articles, podcasts and websites do you recommend?

It's a good thing to have questions. It's an even better thing to get them answered. Ask a teacher, and get advice straight from the source.