Why teach? "I feel like I'm really giving something," explains elementary school teacher Lori. For Dan Adame, it's the 'aha!' factor: "I could actually see the moment that students understood something which, to me, was like magic." Fred chose to become a teacher because he "realized that teachers have a greater impact than any other profession in the world."
The primary reward of being an educator is clear: the pure satisfaction of imparting knowledge. But teachers face challenges as well, both interpersonal and financial. Here's an overview of what to expect from a career in education: the triumphs and the challenges, the preparation and the road ahead.
Rewards
Meaningful Work. Educators, whether in teaching or administration, are driven by a powerful mission: to provide the best education for their students. In an interview of elementary school teachers, "meaningful work" ranked as the primary draw of a teaching career. Many teachers had left lucrative careers as accountants, lawyers, and engineers, in search of a more personally fulfilling path.
Employees in education administration are a step removed from the classroom 'frontlines,' but they experience a similar sense of purpose. Kathleen McCartney, dean of Harvard's Graduate School of Education, misses teaching, but appreciates the 'big picture' impact she has on educational quality. "It might not be the same as helping students find enlightenment," she acknowledges, "but I am finding great fulfillment from my efforts to help the school move forward."
The Joy of Teaching. Besides doing good, educators often take pleasure in the learning process itself. The challenge of communicating a concept. The creativity involved in devising a lesson plan. The personal engagement of mentoring students. The intellectual engagement with a beloved subject--history, biology, literature... These facets of teaching aren't just important, they're also fun.
Variety. Every day is different, and unexpected. There isn't one right way to teach. As Abe, a high school teacher in Massachusetts, puts it: teaching is "human, and fluid, constantly throwing surprises at you." It's a dynamic and exciting role.
Flexible Schedules. There's no 9 to 5 daily grind. Many teachers take summers off, or go on periodic sabbaticals. This is not to say they don't work as hard, but they often have more freedom to decide when, where, and how much they work.
Challenges
Besides the healthy challenge of the teaching itself, teachers face the frustration of limited school resources. At the entry-level, many teachers are paid significantly less than they would earn in business or industry. Most are "not in it for the money," yet feel that their pay doesn't reflect the importance and difficulty of their work. Policy changes are underway to improve school resources, however. The national shortage of teachers may drive up compensation, as schools and local government step up their recruitment efforts.
Education administrators are in a better financial position and earn a median $74,190, while teachers' compensation comes in at $43,660. Higher education administrators such as academic deans earn upwards of $100,000. In fact, higher education administration made it into U.S. News & World Report's "Best Careers of 2007," as a career that combines intellectual and personal fulfillment with generous compensation.
Learning to Teach
Before you take your place at the head of the classroom, expect to put in some time as a student. Public school teachers are licensed by the state, and requirements vary. Generally, the minimum qualification for teacher certification is a bachelor's degree (in any subject) and an approved teacher training program. Some states require a master's degree in education after a specified period of time on the job.
Many teachers go on to education administration careers. A master's degree in education administration or leadership is typically required at this level, and many administrators complete a doctoral degree as well. Higher education administrators may begin in a staff position with a bachelor's degree, but graduate training in education administration or a related field is required for the higher-level positions. Academic deans and top directors usually have a Ph.D..
The Road Ahead
The retirement of many teachers and administrators over the next ten years will create opportunities for educators. However, student enrollment is also decreasing in many parts of the country. Education professionals may need to be more flexible about where they live and what subjects they teach (science, mathematics, and special education teachers are particularly needed; while general elementary, physical education, and social studies positions are less available) to maximize their career prospects. The demand for bilingual and ESL teachers is also expected increase as more non-English-speaking students enter the school system.
For committed educators, career prospects are simply the icing on the cake--the "real reward," as one teacher puts it, "is teaching itself." Teachers may face tight school resources, a restrictive bureaucracy, and unruly classrooms. But dedicated educators spend their days studying and teaching subjects they love to people they really care about; for many that's the real payoff.