Thinking Of Becoming A Teacher? Here’s What You Should Know
Being a teacher is an ancient profession that is an essential facet of our society. Children and adults alike learn vital life skills, expand their knowledge and form their personalities based on what they learn from teachers. Teachers are more than conveyors of information; they are also role models, confidants and leaders too.
If you are looking for a career change, you might be considering the teaching profession. A highly rewarding profession, teaching allows you to connect with people who are looking to better their circumstances and lead a happy, successful life.
Here’s what you should know if you’re thinking of becoming a teacher!
1. The hours are long.
Although school hours are usually only seven hours out of the day, as a teacher you will likely be working many more hours than that. Most teachers arrive at school from as early as 7am and usually leave later than their students. In addition, the paper grading teachers are required to do in the evenings make teaching one of the most intense jobs around. That’s not to say that teachers don’t enjoy their jobs, but rather to say that if you have other responsibilities that take up much of your time, this should be taken into consideration when changing careers towards a teaching role.
2. There are many things you can do with a teaching degree
If you are thinking of taking a degree in teaching, there are lots of different avenues to explore with it. You could go down the route of taking a specific degree such as a bachelor degree in secondary education; alternatively you could explore teaching younger children, university students or adults. In addition, you don’t have to work a regular teaching job in a regular school to use your teaching degree. Some other professional opportunities that arise are:
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- Teaching adults, such as in prisons or other facilities where adults have the opportunity to complete high school level studies.
- Teaching in special education facilities working with disabled students who need more specifically tailored learning than the average student.
- Teaching teachers! You could even go ahead with a role in teacher training, giving others the tools to become the teaching professionals they want to be.
3. Teaching is highly rewarding
No matter the hard parts of being a teacher, teaching is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. Seeing students thrive towards becoming the best versions of themselves, going on to studying at higher education institutions, getting apprenticeship opportunities or even starting their own businesses is thrilling to say the least. Forging a bond with students that allows them to broaden their horizons will give you a total sense of satisfaction and achievement on both a personal and professional level. Teaching is difficult, tiring and often thankless, but the sense of pride you will feel when your students excel is priceless.
Final Thoughts
If you are considering switching careers, why not consider teaching? Use this blog to guide you when exploring the teaching profession, helping you along your journey to becoming an educator.
15 Comments
Kate Sarsfield
Considering the low pay it can be one of the mostvrewarding jobs on the planet.
Tamra Phelps
My niece is studying to be a teacher. I’m a little surprised because for so long she wanted to go into forensics, but changed her mind.
Tamra Phelps
My niece is majoring in elementary education. We’ll see if she decides to stick with it…
Kate Sarsfield
I never wanted to go into teaching because my Mum was so good at the job. In the end we both ended up working at the same Special Needs School!
Kelly O
I have total respect for teachers. Long hours, little pay, lots of admin headaches. I would not be a good teacher. It requires patience, I have none.
Linda
Teachers are amazing and one of the most altruistic professions I can think of. Hooray for teachers!
Dana Rodriguez
They had to shut three high schools down in this area because the teachers walked out over this virus. Can’t say I blame them really.
Brittany Carter
I never really planned on becoming a teacher but with all the school shut down last year and covid rising greatly in the area where I live I’ve ended up becoming a teacher on top of everything else thank you for sharing all the great information
Lisa DT
Teachers make the world a better place to live.
Nancy
If it matches your personality and work ethic, teaching can be a very satisfying profession.
Calvin
A lot of time and dedication in this field for sure. Lots of things to take into consideration before committing to become a teacher.
Lisa DT
Being a teacher to be there at 7 am every morning is a lot of work.
Kelly Kimmell
I know several teachers and I think that they are amazing. Good information.
Donna Martin
Being a teacher is exciting, enjoyable, and Rewarding
Tamra Phelps
I have relatives who are teachers and it is definitely a calling. It can be a thankless job. And their skills could earn them more money in other jobs, but they love teaching.