Is Teaching A Good Career Choice?

Teaching can be a wonderful career. However, the public perception of teaching may not match the reality of the job. In fact, teaching has a high rate of attrition, or teachers leaving education for other careers. However, teaching can also be very rewarding. It is important that future teachers know exactly what a teaching position entails. That information will help those trying to decide if a teaching career is for them.
Knowledge and Skill Requirements for Teachers
Teachers have to be masters of the content they teach. That may entail continuing education. In fact, the No Child Left Behind law requires that all teachers be highly qualified in the content areas they teach. Very specific criteria are used to determine if a potential teacher meets the standard for being highly qualified.
All teachers should also be knowledgeable of learning theory and teaching techniques. Students do not all learn in the same way and some students will require a teacher to try multiple methods of teaching in order to achieve mastery. Knowledge of how student disabilities may impact their learning is also essential.
Teachers must also be detail oriented and organized. Keeping up with assignment planning, grading papers, analyzing student work, and keeping grade books current can take up a teacher’s spare time. However, on top of all that, teachers must keep data on interventions for struggling students and reporting paperwork for students in the 504 and special education programs. Parent contact is also essential. Teachers get planning time, however, getting everything done on time can still be challenging.
Teacher Personality Traits
Teaching can be very personally fulfilling. However, it takes a lot of patience, energy, and creativity. Teachers must embrace working with all student populations. Even if one does not plan on being a special education teacher, all teachers teach students with special needs in general education classes. Being able to multitask and accommodate different learning needs is essential.
Teachers must always be kind and never condescending or sarcastic. A teacher’s job is to be nurturing and be a mentor. They must always model appropriate behavior for students. There are also lines that have to be drawn. Teachers should understand the difference between being supportive and friendly as opposed to trying to be a student’s friend.
Pay and Compensation in Teaching
Teaching is a stable career. However, since education is funded through public tax dollars, the economy does impact education. More and more applicants are applying for jobs at the same time that school budgets are being slashed. Some teachers are being laid off and pay increases are being limited. Additionally, teacher pay can vary widely from state to state and district to district.
Teaching does offer retirement you can count on and, in public education, you will not have to worry about your company going out of business or stealing your retirement fund. Additionally, it may not take many years of employment to be vested in the retirement fund. However, teachers often work long hours and some teachers may even need to find ways to make extra money.
School may let out at 3:00 and have great vacation breaks, but it is a myth that a teacher’s day ends at 3:00 or that they get s paid vacation in the summer. Actually, teachers get paid for the days they work and their pay is just spread out over the full calendar year.
If you are considering teaching as a career, find out about how it will impact other expenses and income. For example, your social security benefits you have already earned or your ability to collect benefits from a deceased spouse could be impacted, depending on the state and district you work in. Check with your potential employer and with social security representatives to find out if your benefits could be impacted.
Is Teaching the Right Career Choice?
If you are dedicated, organized, patient, creative and qualified, teaching may be a good choice to make. Teaching jobs can be personally fulfilling, as well as stable. It can also provide a good future with benefits. Investigate the requirements for succeeding as a teacher and decide if teaching is the right choice in careers.

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