Teachers come from all walks of life. College graduates, mothers, fathers, bankers, engineers, and retirees are just some of the people that turn to teaching as a career path. Thinking through why you want to become a teacher, and what you have to offer today's students is an important step towards making the right decision about teaching.
Why Become a Teacher
There is a saying that those who can't do, teach. This is, in fact, far from the truth about teachers. Although there are some teachers who cannot do what they teach in real life, most teachers actually know their material and are able to "do" whatever it is better than those actually in the field. This is because teachers must know their subject better than those who simply work in the field each day so that they can explain to others each detail about the given subject.
Teachers hold one of the most important jobs in the world today. Teachers are responsible for training up the next generation of children who will become future leaders, inventors and those who change the world. Having a passion for working with children, and a passion for life-long learning are essential for good teachers.
Why to Not Become a Teacher
Although teachers do get their summers and holidays off, this is not a reason for someone to choose a teaching career. Teachers do not typically make enough money in one year to actually take the summer off, and many work second or even third jobs, both during the school year and over the summer months. In addition, the time off that teachers receive is often spent grading, planning and preparing for the start of classes.
Although the teacher's hours are enviable to an outsider, the contractual hours that a teacher works are not a good benchmark for the amount of time teachers spend working. There is much work that teachers must do to prepare for class including lesson planning, grading and other paperwork. This work must be done when the students are not in class, and thus many teachers work late after school and bring work home with them.
There is a lot of work involved in becoming a teacher. Although there are programs now that help those seeking to switch careers, most teachers must go through an involved teacher education program and pass required state tests. If you do decide to become a teacher, you will find that teaching can be the most rewarding job you have ever done despite the long hours and requirements.
Learn how to become a teacher. You may also be interested in tips on writing lesson plans and other tips for new teachers.
 |
