How to Become a Certified Homeschool Teacher? Full Guide

Let’s talk about what it’s like to be a homeschool teacher, how to get started, and what you can offer your students.

Private homeschool teachers might see a rise in demand as more parents opt to send their children to these schools. You can fill this need and aid students in getting an education using strategies other than those used in traditional school settings by training to be a private homeschool teacher.

We describe what a private homeschool teacher is, what they do, and how to become one in this article. We also provide information on salaries and job prospects for this line of work.

How to Become a Certified Homeschool Teacher?

Depending on your state’s local homeschooling laws and your prior teaching credentials, the route you take to become a private homeschool instructor may differ.

With these situational factors in mind, here’s a step-by-step guide you can follow as a general outline to pursue this career path:

Research Regulations for Homeschool Teachers in Your Local Area

State-by-state variations exist in the rules governing homeschool teachers. Therefore, it’s crucial to look into local alternative educator regulations to make sure you comply with any prerequisites for this position. Additionally, being aware of local regulations can help you better understand what your obligations are as a private homeschool teacher.

Earn Educational Qualifications and Develop Your Skills

You might learn about the educational, training, and skill prerequisites for professionals in your area while researching local laws governing homeschooling teachers.

While some states have strict requirements for homeschooling teachers, others don’t have any. Obtain the training and credentials required to become a teacher if you don’t already have them.

Consider Joining a Professional Association

Joining a professional organization as an aspiring homeschool teacher may help you network, advance your career, and find support. Consider becoming a member of the Association of American Educators, Home School Legal Defense Association, or National Home School Association.

These groups provide resources for curriculum development, rule compliance, and instructional design.

Network Directly With Families in Your Community

When you are certified to teach in a local homeschool, you can begin to network with local families looking for teachers for their kids. You can share your resume with them and invite them to use your services.

It’s important to keep in mind that there may already be a homeschooling community in your area; if so, you might want to consider joining it and volunteering to teach alongside the existing group.

Build a Portfolio of Experience and Expand Your Client Base

Keep track of your responsibilities as a private homeschool teacher as you advance, and update your resume with details about your successes.

You can increase the services you provide and the number of regular student clients you work with once you have a portfolio of experience. You might be able to advance your career and earn a higher salary from this point on.

States Which Require Teacher Certification

According to our research, the following 11 states currently demand that professional homeschool teachers hold an active teaching license or certification.

• Alaska. A current teaching certificate or a teacher’s permit is required in Alaska for homeschool instructors. The license is granted by the Department of Education and Early Development of Alaska and is good for a year.
• Connecticut. A current Connecticut teaching certificate is required of all teachers, or proof of an equivalent set of credentials must be presented. In addition, a notice of intent to homeschool must be submitted.
• Georgia. Either a bachelor’s degree in the subject they are teaching or a current teaching certificate is required of all teachers. Additionally, they are required to send their local school district an annual declaration of intent to homeschool.
• Idaho. You must possess either a bachelor’s degree in the subject you’re teaching or a current Idaho teaching certificate. Additionally, a notice of intent to homeschool must be submitted.
• Kentucky. A current Kentucky teaching license is required, or proof of an equivalent set of credentials. Additionally, you have to give the regional school district notice of your intention to homeschool your children.
• Maine. A bachelor’s degree in the subject being taught or a teaching certificate from Maine are requirements. Additionally, you have to give the neighborhood school district notice of your intention to homeschool your children.
• Minnesota. In Minnesota, homeschool instructors must possess either a current teaching license or a bachelor’s degree in the subject they are instructing. They are also required to give their school district an annual report.
• North Dakota. Both a bachelor’s degree in the subject and a current North Dakota teaching certificate are required. Additionally, you have to give the school district notice of your intention to homeschool your children.
• Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania law mandates that homeschool instructors have a current teaching license or can show proof of equivalency. Additionally, they need to give their neighborhood school district a notarized affidavit.
• Tennessee. A current Tennessee teaching license or proof of an equivalent set of credentials is required. A notice of intent to homeschool must also be submitted by teachers to the school division.
• Virginia. Homeschool instructors in Virginia are required to have a current Virginia teaching certificate or to show proof of an equivalent set of credentials. Additionally, they need to show their credentials and give the local school district notice of their intention to homeschool.

What Are the Job Requirements to Be a Homeschool Teacher?

A current state teaching license and a track record of success in the subjects you intend to teach are the main requirements for a career as a homeschool teacher. Homeschool instructors frequently need to clear background checks for criminal activity and show they can hold school-age students’ attention.

The specifics depend greatly on the position after that. While some homeschool teachers cover every subject, others concentrate on particular fields of study.

To successfully carry out your duties and responsibilities in this position, you must have excellent communication skills, the capacity to create individualized lesson plans, a system for gauging progress, and the flexibility to change your teaching methods.

What Does a Homeschool Teacher Do?

You can instruct students in many different environments if you homeschool them. Homeschooling does not necessarily take place at homes, despite the name. A class on a specific subject, like art or woodworking, may occasionally have parents enroll their kids.

You might be asked to instruct students in elementary, middle, or high school, depending on the local demographics. However, with recent advancements in technology, some homeschool instructors now tutor students online.

Related:

• How to Make Homeschooling Fun?
• Is Homeschooling Hard? How To Deal With the Challenges?

All homeschool teachers must consider the parent’s wishes, which can change depending on the household, regardless of how you interact with the students. Parents might request, for instance, that you emphasize their ethnic heritage over general history or that you emphasize practical work rather than academic lectures.

Skills for a Private Homeschool Teacher

Private homeschool teachers need a variety of skills to be successful in their positions. As you begin your career as a homeschool educator, focus on developing the following competencies so you can serve your students most effectively:

• Organizational
• Time management
• Instructional
• Research and analysis
• Classroom management
• Curriculum development
• Communication
• Interpersonal
• Collaboration
• Empathy

Salary of Private Homeschool Teachers

Despite the lack of up-to-date salary information for private homeschool instructors, the national average salary for teachers, a job category that may include these specialists, is $23,896 per year. In contrast, the average annual wage for private tutors, who serve in a position similar to that of a homeschool teacher, is $54,174.

Depending on their level of experience, credentials, location, and the number of students they teach, private homeschool teachers may earn a range of salaries.

Conclusion: Become a Certified Homeschool Teacher

Homeschool teachers instruct students in a variety of settings, such as at home or in a classroom for specialized subjects like art or woodworking. They might work with elementary, middle, or high school students. While some online tutors work with students, some homeschool teachers instruct in person.

Each state has different standards for what it takes to be a homeschool teacher. Most often, a high school diploma or its equivalent is needed, along with knowledge of the subjects covered.

Additionally, you must have the capacity to create customized lesson plans and assess development. Certain states demand additional credentials or certifications.

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