Benefits of Becoming a Teacher

While the fight for higher salaries in the educational field continues, becoming a teacher also has numerous benefits. If you are considering a career in education, understanding the special benefits, shorter working hours and money breaks involved can make your decision a lot easier.

Significance

For those who love the idea of influencing their country's future, becoming a teacher might fit that goal. In fact, teachers are second only to parents in the importance and effect they have on kids' lives, surpassing friends and other relatives, especially in the early years. As such, teachers can reap the rewards of seeing students grow and better themselves throughout the year thanks to their influence.

Features

Teaching is one of the few jobs that offers three months of paid vacation, as well as no weekend work and lots of holidays. This makes the career an excellent choice for those who want to have enough time to spend with their families or to plan trips or other activities, especially during the summer months. For those who want to earn extra money, there is always the possibility of teaching summer school or taking over other duties, an option that few other professionals have.

Benefits

Teachers are compensated and encouraged to continue their own education and are given frequent scholarships and loans to further their studying. This is true even of noncertified teachers, who can work as teachers' aides as they are on their way to completing their certification, which is paid for by the government. After graduation and throughout most of their careers, teachers are given the chance to attend seminars and workshops, most of which are subsidized either by the school or by the state. There is also a system of loan-forgiveness programs, in which teachers who agree to work in low-income schools can have part or all of their previous students loans canceled.

Effects

Salaries for teachers usually increase significantly as years go by and experience is accrued. While some states pay notably higher than others--Connecticut, for example, pays almost twice the salary of North Dakota--all schools offer a high level of job security, great pension plans and good sick leave and a health insurance plan that rivals the best available.

Potential

There is a fair amount of freedom involved in teaching. While teachers do have a curriculum they need to adhere to, the methods and the materials used are often left to the discretion of each teacher. This means that there is always room for creativity in the classroom, something that would easily allow for the introduction of art, music and even a number of field trips.