Your university will schedule requirements for nearly half the course hours you will take to become a certified teacher. (See reference 1.) Assigned classes generally address classroom management, parent and community relations, instruction models, planning and assessments. You must also complete observation and student teaching hours.
Develop strength in all subject areas if you intend to teach elementary school. Even in primary grades, teachers must deliver science, social studies and health lessons. Choose any small group communication courses available. Learning the dynamics of a small group will help with all elementary school areas, especially reading instruction. Select a direct instruction art or music class instead of a basic theory class if you like art and music. Adapting ideas learned in a child psychology class can help you solve problems and develop effective management strategies. Learn earth science closely because your lessons may be the students' first exposure to certain concepts. Therefore, your information must be accurate.
Prepare for adolescents by studying psychology and sociology. So much of their world revolves around social development. Consider organizational communication class offerings to develop structure and procedures. Writing and novel studies are stressed more in middle school, so technical or creative writing would benefit you. Geography courses can help you develop a method to coordinate historical events across the social studies curriculum. Take additional courses online or through continuing education as a method to meet highly qualified standards through the "No Child Left Behind." (See reference 2.) Also, be certain to leave open a few electives in education for additional classroom management and assessment courses that may be available.
Take math offerings from a professor who can show you how to apply the geometry, trigonometry and Physics. Highly effective high school math teachers can adapt difficult concepts to real-life applications for better student comprehension. Likewise, science teachers who present experiments vibrantly can motivate students to explore. Know that small schools or school systems may require instructors to teach all of the special subjects in science or math. Recent interest in criminology from film and television makes some criminal science or justice courses a good course option. Excel as a language arts teacher by incorporating American and European literature into your lessons. Take drama or theater to enhance the reading and writing experiences you will teach. History includes so many facets of language arts and inspires exciting storytelling opportunities. An extensive liberal arts course plan gives a new teacher variety, perspective and compassion.