What Do you Get From Teaching?

According to surveys done in 2002, about 3.8 million people are engaged in teaching in different levels.  About 10 % of teachers work in private schools, while other would work in public, parochial and charter schools.  Public school teachers are required to pass licensure exams, while private school tutors are not required to take one.  But there are states that require teachers to have continuous education like a Masters in Education.  Why are there these numbers of people teaching or interested in handling noisy kids?

For those people who are after making influencing and helping children, then teaching is an ideal job for them.  Major benefit of being a teacher is having wide life experiences.  You can become a child’s inspiration, motivator, mentor, and educator. This would give you great memories.  You get to have the chance of shaping or helping in contributing into your country’s future. 

I think that this would be the primary and major benefit you will reap out of teaching.  Aside from that, being a teacher would also give you sufficient time for vacation.  You would have no classes during holidays and weekends.  Aside from school breaks would also be vacation time for you.  You can spend important days with your family.  If you have nothing to do during summers and school breaks, you can handle summer classes or do other tasks.

But during school days, you would also have to face long hours.  There would be times when you would have to stay up late, grading student works and projects, computing their final grades or even helping some students in personal problems and issues. 

There are some states that require teachers to have continuous education.  They could receive scholarships so that they could continue their education.  Not only do they get the chance to return to school, there are also many venues for improving their knowledge and teaching skills.  There are seminars and workshops sponsored by government and schools where teachers can participate.  

Aside from that, teachers are also exposed to different kinds of students.  Being exposed to different kinds of students can also contribute to a teacher’s education.  Teachers would have different experiences each day, something to look forward to which is of course different from monotonous office work. 

In terms of salaries, although it is not the highest paying job right now, teacher salaries gradually increase as your tenure as a teacher lengthens.  Aside from sound salaries, teachers also have food pension plans, health insurance plans and other aspects of job security.  Starting salaries could range from $19,000 to $33,000.  Teachers who are also handling extra-curricular activities like athletics team or school newspaper, would also get additional salary incentives.  

Teachers are also given the chance to explore their techniques and methods.  Teachers can choose their own or draft their own curriculum.  They could also select the materials that they want to use in their class.  Teachers have the chance to express their creativity when teaching.

There is a continuous demand for teachers.  Education has become one of the major investment of parents for their children’s future.  If you do not like to work in your own state, you can combine travel with other your career.  You can teach in other states or if you are more adventurous, you can try teaching abroad. 

Teaching is never just about the money or the vacation leaves.  It is more than that.  It is about taking or putting the future into your hands.  

