If you enjoy working with teenagers, then perhaps you have considered a career as a high school teacher. For a career in secondary education, you'll need to pack your own school bag with a undergraduate and graduate degree, a professional teacher licensure for teaching in public school, a sense of humor, and a whole lot of patience to deal with all those raging hormones in the classroom.

Unlike elementary education, where you will take a variety of psychology and general education classes for teaching across the curriculum, you will specialize in adolescent education when you attend a secondary education college. Those who wish to become high school teachers usually specialize in a certain subject, like math, science, English, or physical education. Education majors at the undergraduate level may double major in a second subject area of their choice, while those who earn their master's degree in education may enter a program that is specifically suited to their chosen subject area.

In order to teach in a public school system, a high school educator must achieve licensure as established by the state in which one will be teaching. Charter schools also require licensure, though most private schools do not. In order to remain fully licensed, states require that a teacher earn a master's degree within a certain number of years.

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Many teachers earn a Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd) followed by a Master of Science in Education (MSEd), but there is also a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree that enables students to choose a particular subject area in which they will teach. Many people wishing to change careers opt for the M.A.T., often because many secondary education colleges offer "fast track" options that enable students to earn their degree in as little as one year at the full-time status.

Some individuals pursue careers or different academic degrees before deciding that they want to teach. Therefore, it is possible to achieve teacher licensure without ever having earned an education degree. If this applies to you, then you should contact the Department of Education in your state to find out the requirements, like certain coursework that must be completed, as well as which tests you must pass, in order to earn your licensure.

If the teacher licensure process makes your head spin, consider teaching at a private school, where licensure is usually not a requirement. This does not mean that just anyone can teach at a private school, however. In fact, many private school teachers have master's degrees and even doctorates because they chose to delve deeply into their subject matter rather than enter general education programs. Also, some teachers prefer to teach in private school because these schools often have smaller enrollments, resulting in smaller class size. Unless the private school has a particularly healthy endowment, teachers do not usually receive the same salary or benefits as their public school counterparts, which are usually dictated by union contracts. However, private school teachers have many other perks, especially those at boarding schools, where they might received subsidized housing right on campus.

According to the latest research conducted by the American Federation of Teachers, the average salary for teachers in public school is slightly over $50,000, though the exact figure is determined by level of education and the number of years one has taught. Although not all states with charter schools were surveyed, the general results showed that charter school teachers made approximately $10,000 less than those in public school.

Job prospects continue to remain strong for teachers in general academic subjects like math and science, but in districts where budget cuts threaten the curriculum, teachers in music, art, and physical education may have a more difficult time securing employment.

It's true-one won't get rich teaching, but money is not the reason one goes into the teaching profession. If you are looking for a career that is rewarding beyond the paycheck, become certified through a secondary school program and make a difference by teaching the next generation of students.