Pathway to Teaching

Pursuing a teaching career is noble, rewarding, and challenging. Yet, few books focus on the process of becoming an educator, with the majority of available education resources geared towards in-service teachers, especially first-year teachers. This book, Pathway to Teaching, uses a holistic approach to demystify the journey of becoming an educator. This resourceful guide provides valuable and straightforward strategies to the aspiring teachers at each crucial stage: teacher training, student teaching, and finding a job. Themes of differentiation, networking, and organization are interwoven throughout the book and aim to better prepare the soon-to-be teacher at each step. The strategies address a range of pressing topics for teacher candidates that include preparing for the edTPA – a nationwide teacher assessment – to providing classroom management techniques during student teaching to ideas on self-care. Pathway to Teaching also supports the aspiring teachers in finding their dream teaching job through strategies on building a professional network to preparing for that all-important job interview. In addition, several contributors – a teacher, an administrator, an university field supervisor, and a career counselor – share their insightful perspectives and advice to the readers. The curated strategies and advice will undoubtedly help guide any aspiring teacher in achieving their career and professional goals.

A must-read for teacher candidates needing to succeed in their program and secure the ideal teaching job!--Alexis Rios, teacher, Being a teacher is as hard as it is rewarding. Becoming a teacher is getting harder everyday. With this guide, Hougan makes the process much easier to understand and accomplish successfully. If you're considering teaching as a career, this is a must-read.--Robert Hand, 2019 WA State Teacher of the Year, Dr. Hougan speaks to the complexity and demands of becoming a teacher. If any teacher candidate is aiming to thrive in their preparation program, rather than just survive, Pathway to Teaching is the guide to help them navigate through the process. Hougan's strategies, tips, and systems go beyond the teacher preparation program. He sets future teachers up for success without burning themselves out before they ever enter their classrooms.--Nicolette Moser, Teacher, Dr. Hougan has written the best book for anyone considering teaching as a career. If you want to be prepared for it all, read this book!--Brieanna Lutes, Teacher, Eric Hougan has created a blueprint for success in Pathway to Teaching. Each section is outlined with easy-to-implement strategies that will carry you throughout your entire journey from college to career. Packed with insightful and in-depth looks on everything from self-care to interview preparation to networking (and much more), this book is a must-have guide for anyone entering the field of education.--Leann Schumacher, Teacher

Having diverse K-12 teaching experiences, Eric Hougan, Ph.D., is a nationally recognized educator, advocate, and writer. Currently, he is an associate professor in teacher education at Central Washington University and a former National Board Certified teacher.