If you pay any attention to the media, you have probably heard that teachers are leaving the profession in droves. You can’t turn on the TV or scroll your newsfeed these days without hearing about the doom and gloom of the education world. However, if you actually talk to a teacher, or anyone who works in education, you might not get the same negative responses.
As someone who has been working as a teacher for ten years, has worked closely with hundreds of students, and who has been back to school to advance my education multiple times, I am here to report that there are still many positive aspects of the teaching profession. Here are five reasons why becoming a teacher is still a great career choice for many.
1. Making an Impact Daily
Of course, the main reason anyone goes into the field of education is to make an impact on their community on a daily basis. Working with the future generations and helping to shape them into productive, happy, and educated citizens offers an internal satisfaction that many other professions cannot give. While children and young adults can be challenging to work with at times, for the most part, they are wonderfully interesting, full of questions and curiosities, and will make you laugh constantly.
You can make a huge impact in the life of a child who may need a positive figure in their life, and you can even make a huge impact in the life of a child who already has a life filled with positive figures. There is no limit to the number of lives you can positively influence through your work in education.
2. Flexible and Creative Work Environment
One of the most overlooked aspects of teaching is the flexible nature of your daily work environment. Teaching is different from a position where you are returning each day to a monotonous workload or a predictable schedule. There is always something going on that is different than the day before; there is always an unforeseen challenge to tackle, or a new fun activity to plan. No two days are the exact same. While teachers juggle a large workload and a vast array of responsibilities, a variety to each day tends to stave off any feeling of being in a “rut” or getting bogged down with your daily routine. You are able to flex your creativity in so many ways and have fun while doing it!
3. Work Schedule
Now, a huge perk of teaching that everyone talks about is the schedule. The schedule is especially appealing if you are someone with a school-aged family. While there will always be planning to do, trainings to participate in, and classrooms to set up and prepare for the upcoming school year, most teachers get most of the summer months off work. This is extremely convenient if your kids are also off school for the summer, as you don’t have to worry about juggling daycare, babysitters, or relying on family for help over these months. Even if you don’t have young children, you can use this time to travel, spend time with friends, or complete any projects you have been putting off.
Summer isn’t the only long break you get if you go into teaching. You will generally have a reasonable amount of time off around major holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and a period of time off for spring break. Teaching is one of the only professions where you can count on this time off each year, and you will not have to use vacation time or personal days to enjoy it.
4. Job Security
Another appealing aspect of teaching is the job security that comes along with it. The demand for teachers has never been higher than it is right now. Many teachers go into teaching straight out of school and stay in the profession until retirement. Teaching is not a job that experiences a “slow season” or where you will have to worry about layoffs or downsizing. Great teachers are always needed. Furthermore, as the world evolves and technology continues to become more advanced, teaching is a job that can now be done from nearly anywhere in the world. You can continue teaching without stepping foot inside a classroom. The job opportunities for teachers are aplenty.
5. Retirement
This one will vary widely depending on what state you teach in. However, the retirement system for teachers is really a no-brainer. You don’t have to spend a lot of time researching your options, maxing out your contributions, or budgeting for your retirement. Much of that is done for you through the retirement system. Teaching is a career that once you retire, you will be paid for the rest of your life, and depending on a few factors, many teachers will make the majority of their salary even after they retire. This is a huge plus in an economy where many people are no longer able to retire, and many young people aren’t sure how to plan for retirement. Many teachers are retiring in their 50s — which is nearly unheard of in our current economic system!
While a career is a hugely personal choice and one that you must put a great deal of thought into, teaching is a wonderful profession that offers many benefits and opportunities that you just can’t find anywhere else. Suppose you are interested in a fun and flexible work environment, impacting the upcoming generations, with a great schedule and fantastic retirement opportunities. In that case, teaching might be the right choice for you!
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