You need to be licensed to teach in public schools. All states require you to have at least a bachelor's degree and a certain amount of supervised teaching experience. Some states also require that you have a master's degree.

Many states require you to take an exam such as the Praxis series. The Praxis II subject assessment tests your knowledge of the specific concentrations you choose to study. The Praxis III exam tests your knowledge of general education theories and teaching methodologies. Passing these tests helps show your competency to teach.

Teachers who can teach in more than one discipline are in great demand. If possible, you should choose more than one concentration.

Teachers in urban, inner-city areas are also in demand. Students in many of these areas are bilingual or ESL students. If you want to teach in those areas, course work in a second language is helpful.