The best chemistry teachers possess a strong combination of passion, skills, knowledge, and experience. Chemistry is taught in high schools across the country, but it can be a challenging subject to learn and to teach. If chemistry is one of your favorite subjects, share your love of the science. Really good teachers love what they teach and find joy in that spark of knowledge at an “ah ha” moment for students.
Have you always loved chemistry and dreamed of sharing that passion with students? If so, a career as a chemistry teacher may be perfect for you. Teaching chemistry at the high school or college level allows you to ignite curiosity in your students while deepening their understanding of the building blocks of the natural world.
Becoming a chemistry teacher takes commitment but offers immense rewards. This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step advice on gaining the education, experience and credentials needed to launch your career teaching chemistry.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry or a Related Field
The first step to becoming a high school chemistry teacher is completing a bachelor’s degree program Majoring in chemistry or another physical science like biochemistry provides ideal preparation
Some key coursework you can expect as a chemistry major includes:
- General chemistry
- Organic chemistry
- Analytical chemistry
- Physical chemistry
- Inorganic chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Math, physics and biology courses
Pursuing a double major in chemistry and secondary education is another excellent path This allows you to take all the essential chemistry coursework while also gaining vital knowledge about pedagogy, curriculum development and educational psychology
If your school doesn’t offer a double major, consider earning a minor in secondary education to complement your chemistry degree.
Step 2: Complete a Teacher Preparation Program
After earning your bachelor’s degree, you need to complete a formal teacher preparation program to gain your teaching credentials. These are usually graduate-level programs resulting in a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree.
Teacher prep programs allow you to build your knowledge of topics like:
- Adolescent development
- Lesson planning
- Classroom management
- Assessment strategies
- Teaching methods
- Education law
You’ll also complete a student teaching internship in a high school classroom under the guidance of an experienced teacher. This hands-on experience is invaluable preparation for having your own classroom.
Some states allow chemistry teachers to gain licensure through alternative certification programs while teaching full time. But most experts recommend completing a formal MAT program first.
Step 3: Become Certified to Teach High School Chemistry
To work as a public school educator, you’ll need to earn your teaching certificate. Each state has its own requirements for certification. Most include:
- Holding a bachelor’s degree
- Completing a teacher preparation program
- Passing several exams, such as a basic skills test, chemistry content exam and pedagogy exam
The certification process also involves submitting fingerprints and passing a background check. Once certified, you must complete regular professional development to maintain your license.
Private high schools typically don’t require certification. But earning your teaching credentials gives you a competitive edge when applying for jobs.
Step 4: Apply for High School Chemistry Teaching Jobs
Once certified, you’re ready to start applying for open chemistry teacher positions at public and private high schools. Be sure to polish your cover letter and resume to highlight your:
- Chemistry knowledge and lab skills
- Commitment to inspiring students
- Ability to differentiate instruction
- Classroom management competence
- Familiarity with education technology
Also prepare for common teacher interview questions, like:
- Why do you want to teach chemistry?
- How do you motivate struggling learners?
- How do you incorporate hands-on learning?
- How do you use data to improve your teaching?
- What is your classroom management style?
With perseverance and a strong application, you can land your first teaching job!
Step 5: Continue Growing as an Educator
As a beginning teacher, rely on more experienced colleagues as mentors. Observe their teaching techniques and seek out their advice.
Also make time for ongoing professional development. Look for workshops on topics like:
- Inquiry-based learning
- Teaching diverse learners
- Technology integration
- Laboratory safety
Consider pursuing a master’s degree in chemistry or science education to continue expanding your skills. And get involved with professional organizations like the American Chemical Society. Attending conferences allows you to discover new teaching strategies and network with fellow educators.
With dedication to continually improving, you can find lifelong fulfillment as a high school chemistry teacher.
How to Become a Community College Chemistry Instructor
Do you love teaching chemistry and want to inspire the next generation of scientists? Consider becoming a community college chemistry instructor. These educators teach foundational chemistry courses to provide students with the knowledge needed to transfer to four-year colleges or begin scientific careers.
Use this step-by-step guide to understand the path to securing a rewarding job teaching chemistry at a community college.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry
The first step is completing an undergraduate program and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a closely related field like biochemistry. This provides you with essential foundational knowledge of topics like:
- Atomic structure
- Chemical bonding
- Thermodynamics
- Reaction kinetics
- Acid-base chemistry
- Organic chemistry
- Analytical chemistry
Try to gain undergraduate research experience by working in a faculty member’s laboratory. This will help prepare you for future work as a community college instructor.
Step 2: Obtain a Master’s Degree in Chemistry
Most community colleges require instructors to hold at least a master’s degree in their teaching field. So the next step is enrolling in a graduate program in chemistry or biochemistry.
In your master’s program, you’ll take advanced coursework and carry out intensive research in a specialization like organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry or physical chemistry. Completing a thesis or capstone project allows you to contribute original research to the field.
Earning a PhD in chemistry can make you even more competitive for community college teaching positions. But a master’s degree is sufficient.
Step 3: Gain Teaching Experience
While completing your graduate studies, seek out opportunities to gain chemistry teaching experience. These might include:
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Becoming a teaching assistant – Assist professors by instructing lab sections, holding office hours and grading assignments.
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Teaching as an adjunct – Many community colleges hire adjunct instructors to teach courses on a part-time basis.
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Completing a teaching internship – Some institutions offer teaching internships that allow you to co-teach chemistry courses alongside an experienced faculty member.
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Tutoring students – Look for campus jobs tutoring chemistry. You can also volunteer to help teach test prep courses.
Building your teaching skills and resume will help you stand out in the job market.
Step 4: Apply for Community College Teaching Jobs
Once you earn your master’s degree and have teaching experience, start applying for open instructor positions at community colleges. Tailor your cover letter and resume to emphasize your:
- Mastery of chemistry concepts
- Ability to create engaging lessons
- Experience teaching in labs and classrooms
- Commitment to community college students
Also think about how you would answer common instructor interview questions, such as:
- How do you get students excited about chemistry?
- How do you support students who struggle with complex concepts?
- How do you incorporate technology into your teaching?
- How do you develop effective assessments?
With dedication and preparation, you can land the perfect job as a community college chemistry instructor.
Step 5: Continue Your Professional Development
Once hired, keep developing your instructional skills by attending teaching workshops and seminars. Seek out a faculty mentor who can share best practices.
Consider joining professional associations like the American Chemical Society and the American Association of Community Colleges. These provide networking, research funding, classroom resources and opportunities to present your work.
And look for ways to get involved on campus. You might volunteer for committees focused on advocating for students, developing curriculum or promoting diversity. This allows you to help shape the future of your college.
By continually honing your teaching abilities and collaborating with colleagues, you can find great fulfillment as a community college educator guiding the next generation of scientists.
How to Become a Chemistry Professor at a University
If you want to teach passionate students while advancing chemical knowledge through original research, strive to become a chemistry professor at a college or university. This prestigious career allows you to share your love of chemistry and make key scientific contributions.
Use this step-by-step guide to better understand how to prepare for and succeed in the competitive path to a professorship.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry
Aspiring chemistry professors should start by pursuing an undergraduate degree in chemistry or a closely related field like biochemistry or chemical engineering. Make the most of this time by:
- Taking advanced chemistry courses to build your foundational knowledge
- Getting involved in undergraduate research opportunities
- Finding a mentor – Connect with a professor conducting exciting research
- Joining chemistry student organizations
Completing a bachelor’s program with high grades, research experience and strong faculty recommendations sets you up for success in graduate school.
Step 2: Obtain a PhD in Chemistry
The next essential step is earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in chemistry. Doctoral programs take 4-6 years to complete. They involve:
- Taking graduate seminars on topics like organic, inorganic,
Make Complex Topics Simpler
Chemistry is complicated, but there is a way to make it much simpler. Break down the most complex topics into smaller, more digestible chunks. Don’t ask your class to memorize the entire Periodic Table of Elements in one sitting and give them tools to make the process easier. And when it comes to homework, find out what’s tripping students up and offer them help. Just as chemical compounds build from smaller components, your students’ knowledge needs to grow.
Get to Know Your Students
Students know when you know them—and when you don’t. When you are able to build a rapport with your students, they’re more likely to do the work that will help them succeed in your classroom and beyond. Pay attention to how your students interact in the classroom and know what’s important outside of your four walls. Try to respond to each student as the individual they are. The extrovert might enjoy your quick wit and gentle ribbing, but an introvert might retreat further into their shell.
Chemistry can feel abstract to students because they often don’t recognize its principles in their everyday lives. Instead of teaching straight out of the book, or relying on one-way lectures, bring live chemistry lessons into the classroom. You can tell them what happens to atoms when they are heated, or you can show them. You can talk about the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide or you can watch their eyes light up as they experience it. Find out what interests your students have and connect classroom lessons to their real-world lives. Do you have athletes? Ask them why they drink Gatorade and then explain what those electrolytes actually do for them. When each lesson has a real-world example, it helps to increase comprehension, interest, and retention.
Don’t just stop with relatable lessons. Give your class the chance to roll up their sleeves and conduct their own experiments. Chemistry can be fun and practical. Let them add Mentos to Coca Cola, create oobleck from cornstarch, change the color of a flame, and determine the effects of antibiotics on bacteria. The point is to get students involved. They’ll remember the experiment, the class, and you.
The caveat with any of those exciting experiments is that they need to be done safely. Chemistry can be fun, but also dangerous if not taught properly. Make sure your students know the safety rules for the class and for every chemistry adventure you take them on. How can they avoid accidents? What should they do in the event of a fire, explosion, or other emergency? Make sure that when they are doing work, they are focused and aware of potential hazards.
How I teach Chemistry
FAQ
What is the average salary for a chemistry teacher in the US?
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Annual Salary
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Monthly Pay
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Top Earners
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$72,000
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$6,000
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75th Percentile
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$63,000
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$5,250
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Average
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$53,339
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$4,444
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25th Percentile
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$46,000
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$3,833
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What degree do you need to be a chemistry teacher?
Secondary school chemistry teachers need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, and those who teach in public schools must fulfill additional state requirements, which may mean graduate credits or a master’s degree. Chemistry teachers need graduate degrees to teach at the college level.
How do I become a chemistry teacher through American Board?
The program includes candidate services, exams, online coursework, practice exams, and more! In order to become a Chemistry teacher through American Board, you will need to meet the following requirements: Hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Submit your official college or university transcripts to the American Board.
How long does it take to become a chemistry teacher?
American Board’s online teacher certification program lets you earn chemistry teacher certification in less than one year, at your own pace. The program includes candidate services, exams, online coursework, practice exams, and more! In order to become a Chemistry teacher through American Board, you will need to meet the following requirements:
How do I become a science teacher?
1. Pursue a bachelor’s degree To qualify for a science teacher position, all candidates must hold, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree, preferably in science or a specific field within science. Aspiring teachers could also obtain a bachelor’s degree in education and get a minor or second major in science.
