School Teaching Jobs
There will always be a need for teachers, especially in urban centers and less-desired locations. While these teaching positions may prove more challenging, they can also be the most rewarding.
The majority of teachers teach at elementary, middle, and high schools, both public and private. As more people are becoming dissatisfied with public education, there is a growing number of private, charter, and alternative schools opening across the country.
Other places of employment for teachers include private tutoring and learning centers such as Huntington and Sylvan, which work one-on-one with students who may need extra help or who have fallen behind when it comes to their grade level abilities.
Through obtaining more education and certification, teachers can also teach at the college level, while some daycare facilities and preschools hire teachers with no certification, but who have experience working with children.
Obviously, teachers must enjoy working with children of all ages to become a teacher. People who do not have respect for children or enjoy working with them should look at other career choices. Teaching can be a demanding and stressful occupation. Most schools are working to improve their standards and rankings through achievement test scores, and must ensure that the curriculum they teach provides their students with the skills they need to score well on these tests, as well as prepares them for the next grade level. In some urban and metropolitan areas, teachers must face extreme conditions and environments, including having little or no supplies or books and students who require strict discipline. Still, most teachers find this career choice a rewarding one.
Here is a list of some of the most prevalent positions in this field:
- Art teacher
- Elementary school teacher
- Language teacher
- Middle school teacher
- Music teacher
- Physical education teacher
- Secondary education teacher
- Special education teacher
Right below, you will find some basic information about obtaining a job as a teacher. We’ll take a look at the future job market, the salary ranges in the field, and the education and training required to get a job as a teacher.
Employment Outlook
As already mentioned, there will always be a need for teachers, especially in schools where teaching can be more of a challenge. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of teaching jobs will grow at an average rate of approximately 11% by the year 2025. Most vacant positions will arise due to the retirement of existing teachers, although there will also be a need for more teachers in subjects such as math and science.
A growing number of charter and alternative schools and private tutoring organizations will also provide more teaching positions in the coming years.
Salary Outlook
The good news for teachers is that teaching is no longer one of the lowest paid jobs in the country. Over the past twenty years parents and communities have come to recognize the importance of having excellent teachers, and school boards have approved higher salaries as a result. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of teachers in most settings is approximately $54,000. Teachers in private schools tend to earn a higher salary. Keep in mind that schools in lower income neighborhoods and rural regions may pay far below this average, while schools in upper income neighborhoods may pay far above it. Also, teachers often join a union, which negotiates their pay increases and changes to benefits when union contracts expire.
Education and Training Requirements
There are two primary educational requirements for teachers: a bachelor’s degree and licensure.
Some states also require teachers to have a master’s degree or earn one within a specified number of years from attaining licensure. To receive a license, a person must meet educational requirements and have taken a certain number of classes in education or spent a certain number of hours as a student teacher or teacher intern, working in a classroom under the guidance of a licensed teacher.
Most states also require teachers to pass a test proving they have a basic understanding of teaching principles and theories as well as state-approved methods for discipline, etc.
Once licensure is received, most states require teachers to earn continuing education credits to keep their license. Teachers will also receive training from their specific school systems on their policies and procedures. As mentioned, teachers at the preschool level may not have to hold a license, while teachers at the college level may be required to hold a master’s degree or a doctorate.
While teaching can be a challenging job, for those who recognize its importance and enjoy seeing children grow and learn, it can also be quite rewarding, and a great career choice.
