Rewards and Demands of Being a Teacher

Teaching has often been called the noblest of careers. It is a taxing and trying job, but such a tremendously important one. Although it is definitely a demanding career, any teacher will tell you it can be immensely rewarding, as well. Good teachers have the power to change a life.

As long as there has been a human race, there have been teachers. Parents have taught children, friends have taught each other, and so on. However, actual schooling did not become prevalent until sometime around 1000 B.C., when it was associated with religious learning. In Colonial times, teachers were predominantly male up until the late 1800's, when teaching in the United States became primarily a female career. Currently about eighty-five percent of U.S. teachers are female.

The different types of teachers are too numerous to count. There are elementary, middle school and high school teachers. There are those that spend their days teaching children in inner cities and those that work at clandestine private schools. Some teachers educate students strictly in math or language, while others run the gamut of instruction. Special education and early childhood teachers are yet two more categories. Different teaching jobs require different education and degrees.

There is an old saying that "those who cannot do, teach". This does not mean that if you have no aptitude in something you should instruct others. Instead, if you have a deep affinity for an art, language or other skill but don't quite have the talent or ability to make a living using the skill, you might be a wonderful instructor. Many famous artists, writers, musicians and actors have sung the praises of a special teacher who helped them become the best they could be.

Teaching any given subject will help you learn even more about that subject. This is a bonus if you are teaching something you love or have a long-standing interest in. As a teacher, you will see potential in children who think they have none, and encourage them to live up to it. You will have the gift of viewing lives transform, and know that you are positively affecting the future simply by showing up for work - and doing your best - every day.

While school schedules sound great (the days end by 3:30 and summers off) the truth is with conferences, planning, grading and extra-curricular duties, your days may be much longer. And don't forget summer school! The pay may not be great, depending on where you live, and you will not only be subject to those children who are, well let's just say it, monsters; you will have to contend with their parents as well. However, when you check your mail one day and find a thank you letter from a student long-graduated, you might just decide it was all worthwhile.