Teaching is still one of the most rewarding career choices. While being a teacher is demanding, you have the opportunity to make a genuine difference.
While you may have read about teacher burnout and disappointing levels of support from parents, most teachers still love their role. Teaching is highly rewarding. The satisfaction of working with impressionable students who are eager to learn can far outweigh the demands of the profession.
If you are considering a career in education, here are some compelling reasons why teaching is still a worthwhile path to pursue. It’s important to note that becoming a classroom teacher typically requires a Bachelor of Education or an equivalent degree. Additionally, if your undergraduate program does not include a teacher education program, you may need to undertake it separately.
You Make a Difference in Kids’ Lives
A particularly cherished aspect of teaching is the ability to positively impact students’ lives. Classroom teachers often find great satisfaction in contributing to learning breakthroughs. It is especially rewarding to observe students finally making key connections and fully grasping topics they have struggled with, providing tangible evidence that teachers are making a meaningful difference.
If your calling is to teach younger pupils, you may have the responsibility of guiding children who have little or no experience in formal schooling. In early education, you play a crucial role in teaching basic skills such as lining up, raising hands for attention, and practicing attentive listening when the teacher is speaking. Alongside these fundamental skills and routines, you help children expand their horizons, develop friendships, and learn to cooperate with others.
Elementary school serves as a launching pad for students’ journey of discovery. You provide them with a strong foundation to succeed in higher grades.
On the other hand, you may prefer to teach older students with whom you can communicate on a more equal footing. In this role, you have the opportunity to propel students forward as a coach, instructor, or mentor.
As a high school teacher, you not only cover the curriculum but also promote critical thinking, instill good study habits, and teach valuable life skills along the way. You are preparing your students for the next stage of life, whether it involves further education or entering the workforce.
Much Longer Vacations
You may have heard teachers say that the best part of the job is the period from June to August, when they have a significant amount of time off. Well, there is some truth to this.
As a teacher, you have the opportunity to rest and recover during the summer, enjoying approximately ten weeks of vacation. You can use this break for professional development or, like many others, take a complete break from educational activities for a while.
The summer months also provide a chance to reflect on the past school year and make necessary adjustments for the upcoming year. Very few professions offer such a refreshing break on an annual basis.
Admittedly, if the school year has been busy and draining, you may desperately need this time away. However, with such a generous amount of downtime, you should be fully recharged and ready to take on the next group of students.
Tremendous Job Security
When the economy shrinks and many people seem to be struggling to get or keep a job, teachers have few worries. Teaching services are always needed. Kids are always coming along who need to be taught. So teachers are always in demand.
Jobs in teaching are continually becoming available because of retirements, teachers switching to other careers, and growth in the number of young people. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has observed, “As student enrollments increase in the coming decade, employment growth is projected in all of the teaching occupations.”
Daily Joys from the Job
Teachers experience the small or great joys of working with their students each school day. As a classroom teacher, you gradually develop a rapport with your pupils and are able to share jokes and experiences. You join in celebrating class and student achievements.
You can show your personality as you learn more about your students and how to manage the class effectively. Turning up to greet your class each day can quickly turn into a enjoyable experience that you look forward to. And your ability to control the group and get the best out of your students tends to grow with experience.
Ongoing Learning and Personal Growth
In teaching, you experience first-hand the process of learning and growth. Each day presents new challenges. Evolving educational practices keep me engaged and on my toes. I’ve discovered that, by staying actively involved in the field of education, I’m continually learning how to be more successful as a teacher.
Attending professional development workshops, collaborating with fellow educators, and staying updated with the latest developments in my subject area are important to my teaching practice. These experiences not only keep my mind sharp but also bring the joy of learning and discovery.
A good teacher is on a journey alongside their students, fostering a growth mindset within them. I have the privilege of stirring their natural curiosity, nurturing their critical thinking skills, and encouraging them to become lifelong learners. Their growth and achievements in turn positively impact my life.
Excellent Retirement Benefits
Teachers enjoy excellent retirement benefits upon reaching the end of their careers. In many cases, these benefits are more generous than what is typically offered in the private sector. While specific details vary by state, many allow teachers to retire as early as age 55 if they have made retirement fund contributions for at least 30 years.
Additionally, teachers have the option of partial retirement. This allows them to transition from full-time teaching to engaging in fill-in teaching, tutoring, or online instruction. This provides the opportunity to stay active, earn an income, and remain involved in education without the daily pressures of managing a classroom.
The pandemic is going to create a need for more teachers because remote learning hasn’t worked for the most part and there is going to be a knowledge gap. This gap can only be filled by more schooling. I know kids (and maybe parents) won’t like this but if we want to help our children catch up, we need to provide more schooling. This will require more teachers in turn so if you want to teach, get into college now.
I completely agree with your statement. During my observation, I got the chance to look at the assessment scores of sophomores I was sitting in on (not seeing names, of course). It was shocking to see, knowing the benchmark they usually are at, and it was all due to the initial online schooling. There is definitely a knowledge and social gap that teachers have to work overtime to help move past. I have also seen a push for more teachers since the pandemic.
I know teachers are still in high demand in the U.S., particularly if you teach in a subject that is in high demand. I know that the first year or two might require a teacher to substitute but they usually can get a good job after getting some experience under their belt.
Teaching does have some excellent benefits including making a difference in students’ lives. However, it’s a challenging job that can be stressful and teaching is not for everyone. It’s not just dealing with kids but dealing with parents who can range from not caring at all to wanting to micromanage you.
Teachers are the building block for the future generation. There is always requirement of certified teachers in the USA. If you are willing to start your career in teaching then you should complete the required education and certification.