How To Become Homeschool Teacher

To become a homeschool teacher, you must first be a parent. Once you’ve been a parent for at least two years, you may then consider becoming a homeschool teacher.

The first step in becoming a homeschool teacher is to decide what kind of curriculum you want to use with your children. There are many different types of curricula available today: some are secular, while others are religious; some focus on science, while others focus on arts and crafts; some contain both secular and religious content; and some contain no religious content whatsoever. It is important that you choose the right type of curriculum for your family’s needs so that your children can learn effectively.

Once you’ve chosen the right type of curriculum for your children, it’s time to start using it! You’ll need to find out which subjects each child needs to learn about (e.g., math), how often they should practice each subject (e.g., once per week), how much time each child should spend on each subject (e.g., 2 hours per week), and what kinds of materials they should use during practice sessions (e.g., worksheets).

How To Become Homeschool Teacher

If you love teaching but don’t want to tutor in a formal classroom, consider a career as a private homeschool teacher. A private homeschool teacher educates children on several subjects in the home setting. They create engaging lesson plans and nurture their student’s interest in any career path. In this article, we discuss how to become a private homeschool teacher, what they do, how much they make, and frequently asked questions about this career path.

Related: How to Write an Early Childhood Educator Resume (With Example)

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How to become a private homeschool teacher

If you’re considering this career path, here are some of the steps you can follow on how to become a private homeschool teacher:

1. Get the necessary qualifications

Educational requirements for a private homeschool teacher vary by province. Most provinces require that you have formal qualifications like a college or university degree. Many parents prefer to hire a homeschool teacher with a high school diploma or college degree. You can also acquire a bachelor’s degree in Education to show your expertise in teaching. If you’re a college student and would like to become a private homeschool teacher, ensure you include that you’re working towards your degree so your employer can consider you.

Related: How to Make a Resume for a Teaching Position

2. Gain experience in teaching

It is essential you have between two to five years of experience in teaching because many employers look for candidates with experience in core academic subjects. This also helps you to understand the basics of child development because you’re familiar with how children behave and react to situations. Depending on the subjects or students you may teach, it’s essential you educate yourself by checking online resources and books on aspects of homeschooling.

If you need help in gaining experience, hiring a tutor is an excellent option. It’s beneficial for private homeschool teachers to also know how to use basic computer programs like Microsoft Word.

3. Get a teacher’s certificate

To become a private homeschool teacher, it’s ideal you have a teaching certification (K12) such as a bachelor of education degree, a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), and a Postgraduate Certification in Education (PGCE). It is also important that you acquire a police background clearance certificate with an issue date of at least six months. Most provinces require that you know the Ontario school curriculum and the regular outcomes for children at various grade levels.

Keep in mind that the requirements for getting a homeschool teacher’s certificate vary by province. For example, in Quebec, it’s vital you have an excellent mastery of the French and English languages. While in Alberta, it’s essential you register at the International Qualification Assessment Service (IQAS) board and get your curriculum approved. So before you apply for a teaching certificate, ensure you check the licensing requirement in the province you wish to teach.

4. Choose a specific subject

Teaching pre-school or elementary students may not require that you have a speciality. But, if you wish to focus on high school and college students, it’s important you have advanced knowledge in a specific subject. This shows your ability to solve problems and teach effectively in other related topic areas. For example, if you’re knowledgeable in English, you can also tutor students in literature, prose, poetry, and creative writing. Picking a specific subject to teach helps you work in a relaxed environment.

5. Start a homeschool business (optional)

Before you start a homeschool business, it’s important you have the necessary licenses and permit from the Canada Ministry of Education. This may increase your salary and make you a competitive candidate in the teaching market. You would need a tax identification number, liability insurance, and a business license. Depending on the homeschool business you’re operating, you may also need teaching equipment such as computers, internet access, writing materials, art supplies, and classroom furniture.

Meeting all the legal requirements to begin a homeschool business helps you to gain the trust of potential clients. It also gives you more credibility as a private homeschool teacher.

6. Consider pursuing a master’s degree (optional)

The teaching industry is competitive in Canada. So, after some years in the workforce, pursuing a master’s degree or specialized training may help you expand your knowledge in various subjects. Having a master’s degree also makes you a more qualified candidate for employers.

What does a private homeschool teacher do?

A private homeschool teacher spends most of their time in settings such as individual households, homeschool associations, charter schools, and academies. They provide a personalized education curriculum and keep children engaged as they learn from home. Private homeschool teachers work directly with students in full-time or part-time positions. Here are some of their other responsibilities:

• carrying out daily lesson curriculum and course syllabus by following province guidelines
• educating children with special needs or disabilities
• teaching students in a specific subject area
• grading student’s assignments and projects
• conducting informal and formal assessments of students’ progress with testing tools and checklists
• working with guardians and parents to create an effective education plan
• documenting test results and using them to improve the student’s learning
• providing guidance and advice to students on how to achieve educational goals
• organizing and planning trips to improve the student’s knowledge on a topic
• planning lessons and assignments and organizing discussions on relevant topics

Average salary and working conditions

As a private homeschool teacher, you may work in several informal learning environments. Many private homeschool teachers work in the individual homes of their clients, while others work in a library or a private office. They spend most of their time using various teaching strategies to educate their students.

The hours a private homeschool teacher works vary as most work part time for an average of three hours daily, while those who teach online work between four to six hours. The national average salary for a private homeschool teacher is $44,624 per year, but it can vary depending on the class grade of your student.

Related: How to Become an Online Teacher

Frequently asked questions about becoming a private homeschool teacher

The following are some frequently asked questions and answers you may have about becoming a private homeschool teacher:

How can I create a homeschool teaching curriculum?

Before you create a homeschool curriculum, it’s important you research what other children in public schools are learning in each grade so your students can study the same materials. Once you’ve performed thorough research on a subject, pick the topics you would teach. Then, create a timetable and decide how much time it may take to cover each topic. For example, you can devote two weeks to teaching synonyms in English.

Choose high-quality resources like videos, picture books, and online resources to make learning easier. Help your students to improve their memory by scheduling tests weekly. When creating a homeschool curriculum, ensure it’s flexible and detailed. This helps you cover all the subjects within the appropriate time.

What cities pay the most for private homeschool teachers?

According to Indeed Salaries, Vancouver in British Columbia, Toronto in Ontario, Oakville in Ontario, and Ottawa in Ontario are the highest paying cities for private homeschool teachers. These cities pay private homeschool teachers the same salary as school teachers. Consider the cost of living and other expenses before moving.

Related: Understanding the Average Annual Salary in Canada

What skills are essential to become a private homeschool teacher?

To be a productive private homeschool teacher, you may need the following attributes or skills:

• Communication skill: Private homeschool teachers can communicate effectively with parents, students, volunteers, and their employers. It is important you know how to clearly express your needs and identify problem areas to meet your student’s needs.
• Time management skill**:** It’s crucial you have time management skills to plan activities, lessons, and events while performing various tasks. Having time management skills is essential for organizing and handling all your responsibilities or schedules quickly.
• Teaching skill: A private homeschool teacher knows how to use several learning concepts and techniques to engage and keep their student’s attention in discussions. They use the latest technology to teach students new subjects effectively.
• Leadership skill: Because teachers tutor and train people, it’s essential they guide their students on the path to success. Private homeschool teachers also help students pursue their passion by teaching subjects that align with their preferred careers.
• Lesson plan development skill: Private homeschool teachers develop and create a lesson plan from different sources like homeschooling support groups and associations to form a unified curriculum for their students. They create their notes from online resources and books to teach different school topics.
• Emotional intelligence skill: A private homeschool teacher is always sensitive and aware of the feelings of their students. It is vital they’re emphatic with their students when explaining a difficult subject to ensure a favourable learning setting.
• Confidence skill: As a private homeschool teacher, it’s important you know how to answer questions when presenting a subject to your students.

What is a modeling teaching strategy?

Modeling is an instructional teaching strategy where a teacher demonstrates a new subject or concept to students by learning through observation. It is extremely useful for children who are visual learners. For instance, if you assign a science project to your student, physically demonstrate each step before beginning the classwork. When you use this strategy, you may have fewer questions from your students.