Is a Teaching Career Right for You?
If you have been considering taking a new career path, you may want to give some consideration to pursuing a career in teaching. Although a teaching career is not right for everyone, there are many benefits to becoming a teacher that you might want to take into consideration.
Benefit #1: The Personal Satisfaction
One of the most rewarding aspects of working as a teacher is fact that you can enjoy a substantial amount of personal satisfaction from the career. After all, what could feel better than knowing that you have touched the lives of your students and have truly made a difference in their lives? Most people remember their teachers for the rest of their lives – particularly the ones that made the biggest difference in their lives. Just think how great it would feel to have so many people remember you in such a special way.
Benefit #2: The Schedule
There is no doubt about it – teachers have a very desirable schedule. Not only do they get the summers off, they generally get time off throughout the school year for things such as spring break, winter break and even fall break. Of course, some teachers choose to work through these breaks in order to supplement their income and they have to work hard during the hours when school is in session, but having this time off is certainly a perk to being a teacher. In addition, if you are a parent, the fact that you are working the same hours your children are in school can be quite convenient. You should keep in mind, however, that you may need to put in more hours beyond the regular school day in order to prepare lessons and grade papers.
Benefit #3: The Earnings
Although teachers do tend to make less than other careers requiring the same or even less education, teachers sill earn an attractive annual salary. Many teachers earn well over $40,000 or $50,000. Considering the fact that they get summers off, this actually comes out to a very nice hourly wage.
Benefit #4: The Excitement
One thing is for certain when you are a teacher – no two days will ever be the same. If you are someone who loves a challenge and loves to face new ones each day, becoming a teacher is certainly a great choice for you!
Benefit #5: The Pension
Teachers are among the few professionals who still get to enjoy a pension package for retirement. Although the pension may not be significant, it will still be nice to know that the extra money is there for you. In addition, you can still invest in other retirement options in order to make certain you are properly prepared for your future.
Benefit #6: The Stability
Teaching is one of the most stable professions to get into. Although first year teachers may have a rough start and may fall victim to Reduction In Force issues, those who get a few years under their belt can be fairly certain their job is safe. In addition, it is one of the few professions that is considered to be “recession proof,” as there will always be a need for teachers. Even if one school cuts back on its personnel, chances are good that you will find another school that is looking for a qualified teacher to fill an empty slot.
Filed in: Career Options, Teaching.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of working as a teacher is fact that you can enjoy a substantial amount of personal satisfaction from the career. After all, what could feel better than knowing that you have touched the lives of your students and have truly made a difference in their lives?”
Teaching is definitely one of those professions that’s constantly giving. It’s the personal rewards that’s valuable to teachers. And I’ll have to compliment that with the stability of the industry ever since before.
I get a little bit tired of the “summers off” reason for teaching for the following reasons:
1) If you’re in it for the “summers off,” you’re in the wrong profession.
2) Most teachers spend their “summers off” doing required professional development courses, planning for the next year, and/or catching up on all the personal business that they couldn’t do when they were working overtime during the school year.
3) During the school year, I used to work 50-60 hour work weeks. I did the math and figured out that I was working about the same hours per year as a person who works a 40-hour work week with a two week annual vacation. Nevertheless, I did not make the same annual salary as most people in business because it was presumed that I was not working a full year. The “summers off” argument only continues to justify this payment inequity.
4) Saying that teachers get “summers off” contributes to the stereotype that teaching is an “easy” profession and that teachers are not true professionals deserving of respect.
That said, there are many good reasons to be a teacher besides the misleading “summers off” claim. Teaching is rewarding, interesting, challenging, and humbling. Teachers get to be lifelong learners themselves. In an age of corporatization, teachers still (at least for now) have an opportunity to develop creative units and lesson plans. Teachers get the stimulation of interacting with, and learning from, all different kinds of students and their parents. More importantly, teachers get the satisfaction of knowing that sometimes their actions really do make a difference. And they can look themselves in the mirror every morning knowing that their profession isn’t damaging the environment, further contributing to global injustices, or taking advantage of other people. All of this is far more valuable than “summers off.”
Please research the profession better before posting career information like this. The “job security” claim is also outdated and misleading, as any teacher in California would tell you.
I just want to know how I finsh my early childhood development because i have 136 units of being preschool teacher, and i want to know is can I have pell grant and how is your classes online for me.