Very common in rural areas too - I wonder if it's mainly being able to find someone to teach it.

From what I understand, I am amazed we have anyone willing to teach in New York (the city) public schools. You need a master's degree and more than three (not sure) certifications. It is insane. Yes, I agree we should have some standards but too many restrictions and I am afraid only a certain kind of personality can survive as a teacher in the city.

This has been the requirement for teachers in Germany since WW II. 5 years of university plus 1 year following an experienced teacher with a practical exam at the end.

Teachers are generally well paid, though.

You may find if you carefully checked that a number of people who you would think are "teachers" are technically some other classification because they don't have the required paperwork.

Sometimes the requirements are and/or, and sometimes they let you slide if you're "working on the masters".

Yeah, my middle school wood shop teacher was a “coach” and we called him coach. Don’t think he coached any school sports though.

> Yes, I agree we should have some standards but too many restrictions and I am afraid only a certain kind of personality can survive as a teacher in the city.

The biggest restriction is lack of decent pay relative to the quality of life and liabilities of the job.