Teaching as a Career

Teachers virtually shape tomorrow’s world. Entrusted with educating the next generation, this career is a truly rewarding experience. A high impact profession, teachers are required right from pre-school all the way to the secondary level in both public and private settings.

This article provides information about choosing teaching as a career option.

Teachers in classroom setups focus either on general education or specific subjects, such as math, sciences or languages. They adopt a variety of methods to impart knowledge and facilitate learning. Some adopting the discussion mode while some may take on the hands on approach. Depending on the school, age group and lesson taught.

A typical life in the day of a teacher generally involves a lot of interaction with a group of students mostly requiring them to assume the leadership role. This of course depends upon the age group of students taught and the location of the school. In some cases group teaching and mentoring is adopted but mostly teachers’ work alone.

To become a teacher you need to acquire the teaching certificate. This is mandatory for teaching across the grades. To be able to teach specific subjects it is recommended that you get a related bachelor’s degree. Some states also stress on getting a masters degree within a specified time after you begin teaching. However with a college degree in other areas alternative licensure programs are also available. This program however varies by state. To teach pre-school you might not need a college degree.

The pay scale of a teacher depends on the grade you teach. Teaching higher grades translates into higher pay scales as compared to teaching in lower grades or pre-school. In recent times there has been a substantial increase in funding for education, at the federal level. This translates to higher income for teachers.

Tenure laws in most states prevent teachers from being fired from their job, without a valid reason and a systematic process. As a teacher you might secure tenure after successfully completing the probationary period, mostly 3 years of teaching.

It is promising to know that job opportunities for teachers will continue to increase for the next 10 years. This again depends upon the school location, grade level and subject taught. Teachers who are willing to relocate and have licensure in more than one subject definitely have an edge over the others.


  • I really want to be a teacher when I grow up. The teachers I’ve had these past few years have really inspired me.

    I don’t really understand, though, how you become a teacher. Do you have
    to go to a teaching college and get a degree in education, or can you
    go to a regular college and get a degree in a subject you like. I want
    to be an English teacher, so I was thinking of getting a major in
    Literature or Writing, you know? There are some good teachers’ colleges
    in my city, but I don’t want to go there. What kind of college should I
    go to? What do I major in? Is there a test you have to take to be a
    teacher? What degrees do you need? What else do I need to know?

    Sorry if I asked a lot of questions, I just don’t really know where to
    go with all this stuff. I’m a high school sophomore. Thank you so much
    for your help!