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Learn teacher training skills with online courses

Current teachers and those interested in education careers can enhance their skills and advance their education with a teacher training course.

Teacher training can help current educators develop teaching skills or move into new roles. Those interested in an education career outside of the classroom can also benefit from teacher training courses. Is teacher training right for you? Keep reading to learn more about teacher training courses and job opportunities.

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What is teacher training?

Teacher training refers to the process of preparing individuals to become effective educators in schools or educational institutions. It involves acquiring the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to teach and support student learning.

Teacher training programs aim to develop and enhance the abilities of aspiring teachers, equipping them with the necessary pedagogical, instructional, and classroom management skills.

Skills you can learn in teacher training courses

Teacher training courses can cover a wide range of topics, from the foundational concepts of teaching and learning to more advanced topics such as educational innovation and leadership.

An introductory course in teacher training might cover the following topics:

  • Introduction to teaching: Role of the teacher, the different types of teaching
  • Pedagogy: Theories, instructional methods, assessment
  • Classroom management: Positive learning environments, managing student behavior
  • Child development: Factors that can motivate learning and the stages of development
  • Professionalism: Ethics, professional development

Once you understand the basics, you may move to more advanced courses in teacher training that can cover specialized topics, such as:

  • Educational innovation and improvement: Developing creative teaching strategies, new methods for improving education
  • Leadership in education: Roles of leaders, developing a vision for change
  • Educational policy: Different levels of education policy, how to influence policy
  • Data-driven decision-making: Using data to improve instruction, developing a data-driven culture
  • Technology integration: Technology in the classroom, the benefits of technology integration

Who should take a teacher training course?

Teacher training courses can build the knowledge and skills required to become a computing instructor, act as a teacher mentor, or move into instructional design. Here are some of the people who can benefit from a teacher training class:

  • K-12 teachers who want to add specific skills to their teaching résumés, such as art education, family engagement, or inquiry-based learning.
  • Educators seeking specialized roles in online education, education technology, or higher education.
  • People seeking education careers outside the classroom, including as instructional coaches or professional development coordinators.
  • Educators interested in moving into roles such as instructional coordinator or education consultant.

Build a career in education with teacher training

Teacher training courses can lead to many opportunities in education. These courses develop expertise in instructional approaches, teaching styles, and education research. Learners can apply these skills as instructional coaches, teacher mentors, or education consultants. School districts and educational organizations also hire professional development coordinators and curriculum developers to prepare teachers.

Educators can also enhance their current skills or add new skills with teacher courses. For example, coursework in online teaching or education technology can prepare a current teacher to move into a role such as online educator or education technology specialist.

Find common career trajectories below, with salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education consultant

Work with schools to develop teacher training programs, analyze teaching approaches, and recommend strategies to improve teaching.



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    Frequently asked questions

    What training is required to be a teacher?

    Teachers need a bachelor's degree and training in classroom management, instructional strategies, and content knowledge. To teach in a public school, you must also become licensed with your state's board of education. A bachelor's in education or a bachelor's plus a teacher training program can prepare educators for licensure or certification.

    What course should I take to become a teacher?

    Teachers must take courses in child development, classroom management, and pedagogy, as well as complete student teaching placements to develop their teaching skills. Middle school and high school teachers also need to take subject area courses.

    What is the fastest way to become a teacher?

    The fastest way to become a teacher is to complete a teacher training program. Those with a bachelor's degree can complete these programs in as little as one year. Those without a bachelor's degree can become a teacher in around four years by earning a bachelor's in education.

    Last updated September 30, 2025