How to Switch Careers to Teaching
| by Alex Skov
Are you considering making the leap from your current job to start a rewarding career as a teacher? Transitioning into education can be an extremely fulfilling career change that allows you to make a lasting impact on young people and your community for generations to come.
Regardless of your age, it’s never too late to pursue your passion for teaching. Educators are in high demand and teachers enter the field from a variety of other professions that give them transferrable skills they can immediately apply in the classroom. If you are thinking about becoming a teacher, keep reading below to explore 10 steps that can help you confidently navigate the path to change careers.
How to Switch Careers to Teaching in 10 Steps
1. Assess Your Interest & Fit
Switching careers is a big decision and teachers hold a lot of responsibility in any society or community, so it’s important to reflect on your motivations to become an educator and your readiness to enter a new field. Ask yourself questions including:
- Why do you want to become a teacher?
- Are you passionate about inspiring and working with young people?
- Do you have the patience, creativity, and resilience needed to succeed in the classroom?
Understanding the challenges and rewards of teaching can also help you determine if this career is the right fit for you. Challenges such as managing behavior, addressing a variety of skill levels and identifying knowledge gaps, and meeting administrative expectations can sometimes seem challenging to even the most passionate educators. However, the rewards of being a teacher are unmatched. Few careers offer the opportunity to inspire lifelong learning, assist with personal growth, and make a real impact on students’ lives.
Seeing a student grasp a difficult concept or become confident with your help can be incredibly fulfilling. By thoughtfully considering both the demands and the joys of teaching, you can gain useful insight into whether you are ready to take on the responsibilities and opportunities of the profession.

2. Determine Which Pathway Is Right for You
Depending on your background, there are multiple pathways to becoming a teacher:
- Traditional degree programs: For those starting fresh, earning a bachelor’s degree in education is the standard route.
- Alternative certification programs: Most career changers pursue this option, choosing to enroll in offerings like Moreland’s 100% online, 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, which provide fast, flexible routes to meeting certification requirements without spending four years (or more) earning a new undergraduate degree.
- Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) with teacher certification: Earning advanced credentials helps unlock leadership opportunities for those who may want to become school leaders or administrators eventually.
3. Understand Qualifications and Licensure Requirements
Each state has specific teacher certification requirements, but most include:
- A bachelor’s degree: Any major is typically accepted, though some states may require additional coursework for non-education majors.
- Educator preparation program (EPP): These programs — including TEACH-NOW — prepare you for the classroom by equipping you with instructional skills, lesson planning, and clinical practice. Career changers who already have a bachelor’s degree often enroll directly into EPPs in order to fast track their transition into education.
- Certification exams: While these exams vary, each state requires teachers to pass subject-specific and general teaching tests to ensure they meet knowledge and skill requirements.
- Background checks: Most states require public school teachers to pass background checks and submit fingerprints for clearance.
- State licensure application: After completing state exams, aspiring teachers must submit a packet including transcripts, test scores, and other documentation along with an application fee to the appropriate state office to obtain their professional teaching license.
Moreland supports teachers across the U.S. Find your state’s teacher certification requirements here, or find more information about specific states using the links below:
- How to Become a Teacher in Arizona
- How to Become a Teacher in Florida
- How to Become a Teacher in Georgia
- How to Become a Teacher in Maryland
- How to Become a Teacher in North Carolina
- How to Become a Teacher in Washington D.C.
- How to Become a Teacher in Washington state
- How to Become a Teacher in West Virginia
4. Gain Classroom Experience
Getting classroom experience is an important step in determining whether teaching is right for you. Before committing to a full-time teaching role, you can get hands-on experience through clinical practice as part of a certification preparation program or by volunteering at local schools, mentoring or tutoring students, or even working as a substitute teacher depending on local district requirements. This real-world experience will help you confirm your interest while building practical skills.
5. Consider What Age Level and Grade You’d Prefer Teaching
Deciding what grade and what subject level to teach as a career changer can be a fun process that allows you to combine your interests and existing skills.
First, think about which students you’d enjoy working with most. Elementary school students focus on foundational subjects and holistic development; middle school teachers deal with a mix of subject specialization and developmental challenges; and teaching high school allows for deeper subject specialization and preparing students for college or careers.
Middle and high school teachers typically lead more specialized subjects. When it comes to deciding which subject to teach, some educators are naturally drawn to one more than others. Consider your own interests and existing skills, what field your bachelor’s degree is in if you majored in something other than education, and what additional licenses or certifications may be required to teach specific subjects.

6. Network & Focus on Professional Development
You’re not alone in making the transition to teaching. Building a supportive network can help you stay motivated and get a better understanding of the education landscape. Consider joining professional organizations like the National Education Association (NEA) and participating in online communities for career changers and educators.
Engaging with peers and mentors in your teacher preparation program is a great way to develop connections and understand different teaching perspectives. Moreland’s global cohort model places candidates from around the world into classes together and encourages them to share insights and different approaches to teaching in order to develop a worldwide perspective.
7. Consider Specialization
Specializing in high-demand areas can open new opportunities for teachers while also increasing job security. Common areas of specialization include:
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
- Special education
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
Many career changers bring transferable skills from their previous careers into the classroom, which can be especially useful if you are transitioning from a STEM field into teaching a STEM subject.
8. Prepare Your Resume and Cover Letter
A good resume can make all the difference in getting consideration for a job. Be sure to tailor your application materials for each teaching position and make yourself stand out by highlighting transferable skills from your previous career, such as:
- Communication and leadership skills
- Problem-solving and project management
- Empathy and adaptability
You can find more practical tips and actionable advice for building a resume for teaching jobs as a career changer on Moreland’s blog.

9. Search for Jobs & Prepare for Interviews
Once you’re officially a certified teacher, you should begin applying for teaching jobs that align with your skills and interests. Use online job boards like K12JobSpot, school district websites, and professional networks to find positions that match your interests, certifications, and skills. When you start scheduling interviews, prepare by practicing answers to common questions, showcasing your passion for teaching, and knowing what items to take with you to help make the interview a success.
10. Be Patient
Switching careers is a journey that takes time and effort. Stay focused on your goals and trust the process as you work toward becoming a teacher. Celebrate small victories along the way, whether it’s completing a course, passing an exam, or gaining classroom experience. Remember: Becoming a teacher is a gradual process, and your commitment to learning and growth will set you up for success in the future.
Financial Considerations
Teacher Salaries
Teaching is a meaningful career that can also financial stability. However, salaries can vary widely depending on factors like location, level of education, years of experience, and subject specialization. Urban districts and states facing teacher shortages often provide higher pay or extra incentives. Additionally, educators with advanced degrees like a Master’s in Education can often earn higher salaries than their peers without advanced credentials.
Researching average teacher salaries in your area or the place where you want to teach will help you understand what to expect and plan accordingly. You can find information about teacher salaries in specific states on the Moreland blog by using the filter to find your state.

Financial Support
There are a variety of financial aid options available to career changers. Many scholarships and grants are designed to support individuals transitioning into education, including Moreland’s Joy of Teaching Scholarship, which provides aspiring teachers a $500 tuition discount when they apply and enroll in a certification program by the deadline. Get more details and see eligibility requirements here.
How Moreland Helped Nelly Garcia-Lopez Switch Careers
“[Even when] I was a business major, I always had that calling of pursuing an education career, and [when] I finally did that switch back in 2021… It blew my mind! I never enjoyed a job so much, to be honest.” – Nelly Garcia-Lopez, U.S. Educator TEACH-NOW graduate
Ready to Start Your Teaching Journey?
Switching careers to teaching is a rewarding choice. Whether you’re looking for a way to give back to your community, share your passion for a subject, or inspire the next generation, teaching offers endless opportunities to make a difference. For more information about how to make education your next career, download The Career Changer’s Guide to Becoming a Teacher to get actionable insights and tips to help you succeed — and when you’re ready to take the next step in your teaching journey, apply to Moreland!