Become a School Teacher and Make a Difference

by Sarah Clark
sarah.clark@careertrainingdirectory.com
Career Training Directory Columnist

Few jobs in society matter more than that of school teacher. Teachers prepare the next generation of adults to become leaders, workers, and law-abiding citizens. So if you’re looking for a job that really matters consider a career as a school teacher.

Everyone knows there are good reasons to become a teacher-you get to make a difference in the lives of impressionable, developing young people. And you get to talk about a subject that interests you, like math, science, or literature. That alone might make it a worthwhile endeavor for you.

The Plus Side of Teaching

But there are other advantages of being a teacher. Like an annual two-month summer vacation and numerous government holidays throughout the school year. You also may enjoy an extended winter and spring break. When you consider all the vacation time, the annual median salary of school teachers-ranging from about $41,000 to $45,000 per year-looks pretty good.

Challenges Facing Teachers

Of course, teachers face a good number of challenges in today’s classroom. Parents are sometimes too involved or not involved enough in their child’s schoolwork. Children can be unruly and disrespectful. And complying with federal directives like No Child Left Behind can reduce teaching to an exercise in prepping kids to pass standardized tests.

So like any job teaching has its drawbacks. But at least it has a public service aspect that can make the tougher days a little easier to cope with. And the longer you teach the better equipped you are to deal with difficult students or curriculum requirements.

Teaching Degrees

Most teaching degrees can be obtained within four years of full-time university study. You’ll likely graduate with a bachelor’s degree and a teaching certification. Some states may require more education than an undergraduate teaching degree-check with your state’s Board of Education to learn about specific requirements. Most public school teachers are also required to be licensed by the state.

A teaching degree may lead you to a career that’s deeply rewarding and offers more vacation than western European workers enjoy. Now that’s hard to beat.

Sources

The Bureau of Labor Statistics

About the Author

Sarah Clark is a freelance writer who specializes in postsecondary education and career development.