How do I Become a Home Economics Teacher?

A home economics teacher instructs students in the area of family and consumer science. This particular area of study focuses on managing the home and personal resources, as well as nutrition, childcare, and relationships. To become a home economics teacher, a college education is generally required. A bachelor's degree may be sufficient to teach younger students. Instructing at the college level may require a graduate degree, such as a master's or doctorate.

An individual seeking to become a home economics teacher will typically have an overall interest in family life. The teacher will commonly instruct students on how to act as an active participant in a family environment. Commonly, the students will be taught how to budget the family's personal resources, such as learning how to shop and pay bills responsibly. Teaching how to make good nutritional choices may be par of a home economics teacher's job. Students will generally learn how to manage the whole household, including the proper ways to interact with the individuals within the house.

To become a home economics teacher, an individual will need to complete the necessary educational requirements. Generally, this will begin with choosing a college or university to enroll in which offers a program of study geared towards a career in home economics. After enrolling in a degree program, a student should decide where he or she would like to work, as job requirements may vary by location.

Most commonly, the minimal amount of education needed to become a home economics teacher is a bachelor's degree. Teachers with a bachelor's degree will typically teach at a grade school, high school, or vocational school. In addition to an undergraduate degree, an individual may also need to obtain a license or certificate in order to become a home economics teacher. Additionally, different regions may have different sets of requirement for teachers.

If a teacher is interested in working at a college or university, an advanced degree may be necessary. Several more years of formal education are typically required to obtain a graduate degree after receiving a bachelor's. When teaching in post secondary education, a home economics teacher may be referred to as a professor of family and consumer science. The topics covered at this level may be more advanced than those taught to younger students.

Aside from instructing students on the basics of family and consumer science, a home economics teacher will also complete basic teaching duties such as assigning homework and tests, grading work, making lesson plans, and scheduling student and parent conferences. It is important for someone who wants to become a home economics teacher to have good communication skills and enjoy working with students. Being organized and planning ahead can also make a teacher's work easier.