The job of an effective teacher is ongoing. S/He is always looking for new and innovative ways to make the classroom more exciting and welcoming. They “must provide appropriate assessments that give valuable and timely feedback to students” (Rieg and Helterbran n. p.). Teachers are held to a high standard and are expected to perform at and above that level of standard at all times. Thus, the field of teaching shows to be more than just mini-vacations and summers off. Before teachers are allowed into a classroom, they are required to meet both federal and state mandates as it relates to the field of education. To pursue teaching as a career, an individual should be familiar with the requirements, basic job description, salary, and optional career moves.
A career as a teacher requires one to have a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, s/he must complete “an approved teacher education program” or alternative certification program (U. S. Department of Labor 1; sec. 3). Furthermore, they are required to take and pass a certification exam related to their desired content areas and grade levels. Then, once an individual has met all of the required (parts), they are ready to be employed.
A teacher searching for employment is expected to know what is required of them in the classroom. The basic job description of a teacher is to facilitate the learning process of each student in a safe, caring, and positively stimulating environment. Teachers are expected to be knowledgeable about the subject(s) they teach (U. S. Department of Labor 1). They should be organized and have effective communication skills (Rieg and Helterbran n. p.). Daily, teachers are counted on to influence lives, positively in the academic arena while observing and sometimes overseeing that the needs of the student outside a classroom are also being met. Ultimately, they “play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years” (U. S. Department of Labor 1; sec. 2).
Teachers are expected and required to perform these various duties for somewhat challenging pay. A teacher’s average salary is considered to be above wage. The starting salary ranges from $30,000 to $34,000 (U. S. Department of Labor 1; sec. 7). However, the more years of experience a teacher has, their pay will increase. The increase in pay for a classroom teacher can be as high as $75,190 to $80,970 annually. Also, teachers do have the potential to make an even more increased salary. Their salaries can increase based on the career moves they choose to make.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of education and the career of teaching at the “elementary, middle, and secondary … [levels are] “expected to grow by 13 percent between 2008 and 2018” (U. S. Department of Labor 1; sec. 5). Thus, a teacher can make optional career movies throughout his/her tenure into other sectors of education. Teachers can transition into being administrators or support personnel. As an administrator, the positions are assistant principal and principal. From a support personnel perspective, a teacher can become a counselor, librarian, instructional coordinator, or reading specialist (U. S. Department of Labor 1; sec. 2).
Teaching is a career path with many opportunities and a lower-middle to upper-middle-class salary. Being a teacher may take great effort and extensive preparation time, but most careers require a substantial amount of work and effort. To become a teacher, the minimal requirements are a bachelor’s degree and a teaching certification. The salary potential ranges from $30,000 to $80,000 depending on their years of experience. There are also optional career moves within the field of education to allow a teacher to work outside of the classroom. Overall, a career as a teacher can be an awarding one.
Works Cited
U. S. Department of Labor. “Teachers—Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2009. Web.
Rieg, Sue A. and Valeri R. Helterbran. “Becoming a teacher educator.” Business Library. 2005. Web.