Teaching Careers Information
Though a teaching career does not pay as much as other professions, it ultimately proves rewarding because teachers provide the education that is typically the basis of all careers. With a public school education guaranteed to all children in the United States up to the 12th grade, teachers form a large part of any child's development. A teacher requires not only personally knowledge of several subjects but the ability to communicate and inspire students.
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Description
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A teacher instructs on a variety of subjects as well as encourages social and personal developments in students who are typically aged 18 and under. They must follow a publicly accepted curriculum and determine the child's progress so he or she can continue on to higher levels of learning. Most teachers instruct in a public school setting though many also work for private schools.
Environment
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Teachers generally work about 40 hours a week in a classroom indoors. Most work a traditional school year of 10 months followed by two months of summer vacation. Those who pursue a year-round schedule typically work for eight weeks followed by a one-week vacation and a five-week midwinter break. Tenure laws in most states prevent public school teachers from being fired without just cause after completing a probationary period, usually lasting three years.
Nearly all teachers belong to a union such as the American Federation of Teachers, which advocates for teacher rights and compensation.
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Training
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Education for a public school position typically requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree and then a license from the state to teach particular grades (like grade 1 through 6) or special subjects (like reading and math). Teachers must meet basic competency skills as well as proficiency in their area of expertise. Those working for private schools are generally exempt from licensing requirements.
Salary
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Teacher salaries can vary by experience. According to PayScale as of March 2010, those with one to four years of experience average $39,945. Those with five to nine years earn $42,453. Finally, those with 10 to 19 years are paid $49,331. Compensation can also vary by position. An elementary school teacher receives $40,311. A high school teacher gets $42,941 and a special education expert garners $41,027.
Outlook
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of teachers is expected to grow by 13 percent between 2008 and 2018. This is a bout as fast as average for all occupations. States with growing populations in the South and West will experience the largest increases. Those in the Midwest will hold steady while in the Northeast, jobs will go down.
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References
- Photo Credit young teacher image by Valentin Mosichev from Fotolia.com
