Career/college plan to become a human body systems/anatomy teacher?

[u/yellowfishie]

I recently graduated high school and a past teacher of mine inspired me to pursue a teaching degree. I’m taking a gap semester at the moment and starting a few classes at my community college this spring, then transferring to my state university in the fall. Though I work with young children, I’m gaining some classroom experience with my job right now as a preschool teacher. I took his Principles of Biomedical Studies class and his Human Body Systems class in high school, and being someone who’s fascinated by the human body and has thought about pursuing some occupation in the medical field or education, I decided what he does for a living is exactly what I want to do. What should my first steps be? What does this academic path look like? How can I prepare myself? I’d appreciate any advice here—I just can’t wait to get started:)

[u/Latter_Leopard8439]

I teach plenty of A & P under my general science cert and bio cert.

There is no specific Anatomy and Physiology certification for HS teachers.

That's a subset of some other science cert.

The science certs available in my state include Chemistry, physics, Env Earth Science, Bio, and General science.

I think Health is under a separate cert - but that includes a variety of things traditional science teachers don't go into.

Just so you are aware, you might get a section of Anatomy but also be teaching Gen Bio for freshmen.

Enrollment of a High School matters in regards to electives and options.

[u/afoley947 → u/Latter_Leopard8439]

Hi-jacking this comment.

Health generally falls under the Physical Education certification (Gym teachers)

But everyone you said is right on. Our a&p teachers both teach bio as well

[u/king063]

Be aware that most schools will only have one anatomy teacher and they probably will teach another science as well. I’m at a large school, ~1800 students, and the anatomy teacher teaches only anatomy and I teach a few sections as well.

I’m not trying to talk you out of it though! It’s so fun to have a passion for a subject and get to teach it!

[u/[deleted] → u/king063]

At a school I left there was an AP anatomy elective and that teacher also taught AP bio and unfortunately chemistry.

[u/16dollarmuffin]

I have a bs in cell phys/molecular biology and it allows me to teach A&P with no additional certs or tests needed!

[u/[deleted]]

Most schools treat anatomy as an elective or ap school here in PA. Those classes will go to science teachers with seniority but they will still have you teach biology and any other opening they have.

Health is under PE so you won’t be teaching that. You can incorporate health. I incorporate public health into biology because PH is my grad focus.

[u/BothBoysenberry6673]

I am the anatomy teacher for my high school. I teach on average two classes a year and then teach other courses as well. I have a general science certification. My suggestion is to pursue your bachelor of science degree and then add on a teaching certificate.

[u/ShoheiGoatani]

If you know you want to get into teaching, there are some programs where you can get your bachelors and credential in 4 years. The traditional path is to get your bachelors then enter into a year long credential program afterward

For your bachelors degree really anything in life science will do so just choose any major in that realm that’s interesting to you.

As others have said you will likely have to start with teaching bio until a section opens up for human anatomy. Just make sure your department chair and admin knows that you are interested in teaching that subject so they think of you when that class opens up. Physiology tends to be a class with juniors and seniors so it’s pretty desirable and usually it is teachers with some years of experience that get to teach it

[u/Ferromagneticfluid]

Usually that class is an elective and taught by someone who has a Biology certification. You would like also be teaching Biology, mostly because it is unlikely to have a full schedule of anatomy at any school, and also unlikely you can take all the advanced classes.

[u/bluebirdgirl_]

If you want to teach high school, get a bachelors in biology and a certification to teach (don’t major in education if you know you want to teach science). Having experience in any educational setting will look great, but also being involved in science research during your bachelors is great too!

If you ever want to teach at a community college, you would need at least a masters degree in biology and teaching experience or even a PhD in biology.

Most HS teachers are paid the same if not more than a professor/college instructor with a masters degree though, so more school will not mean more money in this case (usually).

[u/bluebirdgirl_ → u/bluebirdgirl_]

And another suggestion. Once you transfer to university, get to know your professors. Ask them questions, visit their office hours. Once you’re a sophomore or junior, consider getting involved in scientific research. Usually this involves working under a professor and assisting them with research outside of normal class. You can often get school credit for this. It looks really good on a resume no matter what you plan to do, and is a good way to get career/professional advice from professors. Source: I am a biology professor.

[u/Alarmed-Tip6135]

My recommendation is to get your degree in a science field of interest to you, and then do a post baccalaureate teaching program or certification program. Degrees in education will get you into the classroom faster, but often having the knowledge base you build from a degree in a specialized area is far more beneficial. That was my path and it’s opened up a lot of things for me. Plus, if I ever leave teaching or want to pursue politics/education policy my degree in Public Policy & Administration will be really useful there. It’s also been beneficial for my union work, advocacy roles, and as a teacher leader.

[u/_saidwhatIsaid]

Basically do a biology degree with extra A&P classes to your leisure

[u/Holiday-Reply993]

Are you sure you want to limit yourself to highschool? If not, I would recommend your get a PhD in anatomy or similar.

https://jobs.anatomy.org/