Teaching Career Benefits

Although much has been made about the high stress and low pay of teachers, there are numerous benefits to entering the teaching career field. Teachers play one of the most important roles in the lives of young learners. Teachers get to work with children, have variety in the classroom, become mentors in the community, specialize in a certain field or subject, enjoy continuing education opportunities and support from professional organizations, and have summers off to study, travel or relax.

Working with Children

Many people enjoy working with children, and this is their main reason for entering the teaching field. In addition to educating children, teachers often are mentors or counselors to the students in their classes. Some teachers find fulfillment in creating after-school programs like book clubs for their students. Teachers are role models to their students, and may help them with their homework or projects. Teaching a child how to read, how to perform simple math or teaching a child how to create a science project is very rewarding to some people. Children provide immediate feedback, so this increases a teacher's perception of his or her ability to perform.

Specialization

Teachers who work in junior high schools, high schools or colleges get to specialize in the fields in which they excel. History buffs, for example, may get personal enjoyment from passing that knowledge on to young learners. Also, teachers who specialize in a certain field may publish in trade magazines of their subjects, and this can be professionally rewarding. There are countless subjects and themes that a teacher can specialize in. For example, science teachers may teach chemistry, biology, molecular science, astronomy and many sub-themes in those disciplines. The teaching field by many is seen as a relatively stable career for those people who have received degrees in certain fields who want to spend their time in a classroom, working hands-on with children.

Variety

Even when a teacher specializes in a field and becomes an English teacher or math teacher, there is always variety in a classroom. Students not only learn from textbooks, but also from writing papers, taking quizzes, going on field trips, giving presentations, watching and evaluating movies and working with computers. Sometimes teachers play an important part of developing their own curriculums and can thus teach what most interests them, whether it is poetry, art work or automobile mechanics.

Support

Numerous professional and personal support organizations are available to teachers. The National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers are two large organizations dedicated to the betterment of teachers. They hold workshops, conferences, and provide valuable resources for teachers to succeed in their fields. Additionally, many teachers are members of unions that advocate for teachers' salaries, benefits and work environments. Teaching is one of the oldest and most respected vocations, and many teachers enjoy the camaraderie involved in being an educator.

Time Off

Many teachers have their summers off, and this can be a perk in the teaching field. Even teachers who work in districts with yearlong schedules may have up to six weeks off between school sessions. Many teachers choose this time to travel or get a job in a related field. Teachers enjoy discounts on things like school supplies, and some travel agencies also offer teachers special discounts on trips, air fare and hotels. Teachers may choose to spend their time off by volunteering with the community, working on personal projects or spending time with family. Because teaching can be a stressful job, this opportunity to have so much time off work is the best perk of being a teacher.

Continuing Education

Many schools pay for the continuing education of their teachers, including stipends for completing a master's degree or other necessary education for teachers to renew their licenses. Also, the government provides student debt forgiveness programs for people who become teachers in areas that are experiencing the need for teachers. The U.S. Department of Education has information on these programs; see the Resources section for more details.

Resources

• National Education Association
• American Federation of Teachers
• U.S. Department of Education