High School

As an adult education teacher, you will likely focus on a particular area of study, so take the high school courses that best suit your interests. You'll also need to follow a college preparatory plan, taking courses in English, math, foreign language, history, and government. Speech and communications courses will help you prepare for speaking in front of groups of people. Writing skills are very important, no matter what subject you teach, because you'll be preparing reports, lesson plans, and grading essays.

Postsecondary Training

Before becoming an adult education teacher, you'll need to gain some professional experience in your area of teaching. A bachelor's degree is also usually required. Requirements vary according to the subject and level being taught, the organization or institution offering the course, and the state in which the instruction takes place. Specific skills, however, are often enough to secure a continuing education teaching position. For example, a person well trained in painting, with some professional success in the area, may be able to teach a course on painting even without a college degree or teaching certificate.

Other Education or Training

The Association for Career and Technical Education offers a variety of online and in-person continuing education opportunities. Recent offerings included "The Ultimate Learning Experience: Impacting Student Outcomes Using Virtual Reality" and "Girls Who Code: Summer Immersion Program."

Certification or Licensing

There is no national certifying board for adult education teachers, but some states require their own teaching certification. Most community and junior colleges, however, require only a bachelor's degree of their teachers. Teachers in vocational education programs may have to be certified in their profession. If teaching English as a second language (ESL), you'll probably have to take some required workshops and seminars. For information on certification, contact local adult education programs and the department of education in the state in which you are interested in teaching.

Aspiring teachers should obtain as much teaching experience as possible as volunteers, student-teachers, or in other educational settings.

As a teacher, you should be able to deal with students at different skill levels and from different cultures, including some who might not have learned proper study habits or who do not speak English as their first language. This requires patience, as well as the ability to track the progress of each individual student. Good communication skills are essential, as you'll need to explain things clearly and to answer questions completely.