The poet Forest Witcraft once wrote that one hundred years from now, it won't matter what kind of car you drove or how much money was in your bank account, but that you left the world a better place because you were important in the life of a single child.
Teachers play an important role in the life of each and every child who passes through their classrooms. But in addition to nurturing the leaders of tomorrow, the 3.5 million teachers that currently work in the US enjoy a number of benefits unique to the teaching field. If you are considering a career in education, take a look at these reasons why teaching can be a worthwhile and productive occupation.
1. Vacation!
No matter how much a teacher loves to teach, he or she probably looks forward to that annual two- or three-month-long summertime break from the classroom. Unlike workers with jobs that limit vacation time to a few weeks, many teachers enjoy a flexible summer hiatus enabling them to take a long vacation, explore a beloved hobby, or pursue a second job to pick up extra income.
Many teachers use the summer to continue with their education, perhaps even pursuing a master's in education. Getting a master's degree can help raise your salary, and many school districts are willing to pay for the continuing education of their employees. Now that many accredited universities offer the online master's degree in education, many teachers are able to work toward a higher degree without sacrificing their summer work or travels.
2. Demand for Teachers and Job Security
Education has been and always will be a priority for the American people. One of the most comforting aspects of a career in teaching is the knowledge that that there will be always be a need for teachers. In the past decade, our country has experienced a significant shortage of qualified individuals with education degrees. Large numbers of teachers are expected to retire over the next 10 years, further augmenting the demand for good teachers.
Many states have instituted tenure laws that prevent teachers from being laid off without a formal review process that is conducted by an outside review board. Teachers are able to obtain tenure after, on average, five to six years with the same school. Although tenure does not guarantee a job for life, it does provide a great deal of job security.
3. Retirement Benefits
Workers with education degrees are blessed with some of the best retirement packages of any profession. With specific formulas regulated by state law, public school teacher retirement packages are safe, stable, and secure. Retirement funds are created through state tax revenue and employee contributions, but are funded primarily through income from investments. Details of teacher retirement plans should be available on the state's Department of Education website.
Because retirement plans are usually guaranteed by the state in which you teach, you will not assume any investment risk. Most teacher retirement plans are subject to a high level of oversight from the state government, assuring that individuals that pursue a teaching career will be taken care of when they choose to retire.
4. Earnings
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average salary for a teacher in 2004-2005 was just shy of $50,000. Though starting teacher salaries average $31,000 nationwide, teachers have the opportunity to advance to higher salary levels by continuing their educations. Some teachers get additional housing supplements, and public school teachers have excellent healthcare coverage and other benefits.
The key to advancing to a higher pay grade is advanced training and education. Teachers with advanced degrees, such as the master's of education, earn significantly more than their counterparts with basic education degrees. Many teachers achieve their training through online education courses that increase their qualifications and lead to higher salaries.
5. Advancing to Education Administration
Some teachers find they prefer to manage schools rather than classes. But a background in teaching isn't the only route into education administration. Managers or human resources directors can make the career shift into education, as can anyone whose experience includes budgeting, public relations, and staff supervision. For primary school administration positions, the love of children and the willingness to work with parents are also essential traits.
Fortunately, making the shift into education administration is easier than ever now that it's possible to complete a Master's of Education Administration online. Online study means that the administrator-to-be won't have to quit his or her existing job to train for a new education career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, elementary principals pull down a median salary above $74,000, with excellent benefits and solid job prospects.
6. Making a Difference
With an advanced degree in education or an online teaching degree, you could be setting yourself up for a fun, well-compensated, and secure career in which you will enjoy long summer vacations and a comfortable retirement. But despite all these incentives, most teachers pursue a teaching career for the joy of helping children learn and grow into dynamic, intelligent adults.
Students never forget their favorite teachers. Preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school teachers play a vital role in the development of young children, shaping their views of themselves and the world that will persist throughout their lives. Teachers of younger children introduce their students to many topics for the first time, planting the seeds of curiosity that can lead to lifelong passions or careers. Teachers leave behind a legacy of love and nurturing that can have effects that reach far beyond the classroom in which they teach.