Educators with Reading Teacher’s Certifications or Endorsements Are In High Demand

American citizens have become so accustomed to thinking of the United States as Number One in virtually every field; it comes as a shock to many to learn that we are not even among the top ten countries in the area of literacy. Fortunately, this is a topic that is now openly discussed, and governments, from the national level to the state level have begun to take serious measures to correct this problem. Since teachers certification programs are all administered on the state level, this is where the focus has to be.

In addition to teaching certifications, many schools now offer courses for students to obtain a “reading teacher endorsement,” which indicates that this individual has taken extensive class work in teaching reading skills. These specialists work with the child’s assigned classroom teacher to enhance reading skills in all students, but are especially focused on working with those who need extra help in boosting their reading skills. For educators who enjoy working with younger children (most students learn reading skills from kindergarten through age 9), and in these times of uncertain employment, acquiring reading teacher endorsement is one of the wisest steps a burgeoning educator can take. Although some states require a Master of Science Degree in Education before issuing reading teacher endorsements, many schools confer both concurrently.

Learning to teach reading will usually include courses in child development, in addition to teaching the subject at hand. Generally speaking, there are primarily four methods for teaching young minds to read:

•phonetics, which involves sounding out individual letters l

•look and say, recognizing whole words accompanied by pictures

•language experience, during which a student draws pictures which are then captioned by the teacher and shown how words and pictures correlate

•context support is choosing books whose content is of interest to the child, ensuring the attention of the young reader

Because no two children develop at the same rate, or learn effectively using the same teaching methodology, those studying for a Master of Science in Education will become familiar with all four methods which can then be tested and combined to find what works best for each student.

While parents have a lot on their plates when it comes to raising their children, a prime concern for every parent should be literacy. Almost nothing is more important for their futures than the ability to read, write and comprehend the written word because this competency is vital for the future success in every area of life, regardless of career choices.

Even unskilled workers need basic reading skills for filling out forms, reading directions and following written instructions to better manage their lives. Beyond employment, the ability to read is essential in a grocery store, driving a car, or even at home reading a program description on a TV guide. Needless to say, it is essential for using a computer or almost any other electronic gadget that is so prevalent in the world today.

To help their children excel in reading skills, parents need to contribute to their success. They should make a habit of reading to their youngsters every day if possible, and start as young as possible. As the little ones become more adept, switch roles and encourage them read to the adults. As early as possible, they should also be taught to write their names, addresses and other vital information, followed by composing short letters and stories for further practice.

Regardless of how much a child is helped at home, most children in their very early school years will benefit from the additional input of a certified reading teacher who can work in concert with parents and teachers to help bring America’s literacy rate to the level of the most advanced countries.

For those who have taken the advanced training, a reading teacher endorsement opens doors all over the world, as emerging countries also recognize the importance of a literate population. For anyone with a desire to help others while securing his own future, adding that reading teacher endorsement to your resume is an excellent choice.

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Author Stephen Daniels highly recommends National Teacher Education Center for those seeking the best jobs in the education arena. They offer Masters of Science in Education degrees via alternative education programs, so students can continue to work in their chosen fields as they study simultaneously for their higher degrees.