Teaching: The Right Career for You?

Having been a teacher and then deciding to change careers I would like to share with you a few things that one must consider when choosing the field of teaching as a career. First of all, especially with today's economy, you must consider whether or not you are willing to relocate for a job upon graduation with your degree in education. This is something that must strongly be considered if you are from the state of Michigan or other struggling states. Michigan has been one of the states hardest hit by the current recession. Even before the recession took hold on the country it wasn't easy to get a full time teaching position in Michigan, now it's even more difficult. Many schools have lost students due to foreclosures, the opening of charter schools, and families relocating to other states for jobs. School districts including Detroit Public Schools are having to lay off hundreds of teachers and other school personnel due to declining enrollments and budget deficits.

Besides the difficulties in finding employment as a teacher, one must also consider the fact that teachers do not make a great deal of money. Starting salaries of teachers in Michigan range from $28,000 to $35,000 for those entering the field with a Bachelor's degree. Teachers in Michigan must continue on with their education after graduation in order to remain certified to teach in the state. Teachers salaries increase with tenure as well as with further education. I do not recommend entering the field of teaching with a Masters degree only for the fact that if a school can hire someone with a Bachelor's degree to do the same job, they will more than likely hire the person with less education because they can pay them less money. It doesn't seem fair that someone less qualified would be hired over someone with more education, but with tightened budgets it is something that has to be considered.

Many aspiring teachers enter the field of education through substitute teaching. Subbing as I referred to it was a great way to learn what grade level I worked best with. Working as a substitute teacher allows you to have flexibility with your schedule, as well as allowing you to get yourself known in multiple schools and districts. Getting yourself known in multiple districts and schools is important since doing a good job as a sub can equal consideration for a full time job if one becomes available.

Individuals considering becoming a teacher must also have a great deal of patience with children as well as their parents. One of the most difficult and stressful parts of being a teacher is dealing with the parents of your students. Parents want the best for their children and will do anything to get that including insisting that their child couldn't possibly be misbehaving at school and that you as the teacher must not like their child. As a teacher you must be diplomatic and state facts to parents rather than feelings. Your job isn't only to educate your students, but to educate the parents as well. Provide your parents with articles and websites about children's behavior and education so that they can assist you in doing your best to teach their child as well as the rest of the children in your class.

Patience with your students is a must. Children will misbehave and you must expect them to do so. You will need great classroom and behavior management skills to be a great teacher. One of the most important things when dealing with children is consistency. As a teacher you must do what you say you are going to do when it comes to discipline. You cannot say one thing and do another because your students will call you on it.

If after considering all of these things you decide that you truly want to be a teacher then go for it. Don't be disappointed if you don't find a job right away, and don't consider yourself a failure if after everything is said and done you decide not to stay in the field of education. A career in teaching is stressful and it isn't meant for everyone.