Why Become a Teacher? Do it for all these Reasons!

Irish poet William Butler Yeats said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” Students learn much more than reading, writing, and arithmetic from educators. Great teachers see all of the possibilities, and they inspire, lead, challenge, and encourage their students to become the people they are meant to be.

There is a multitude of reasons to become a teacher but let’s start with the biggest question. Is Teaching a Good Career?

There is no doubt that teaching is challenging. Being an educator demands a commitment to developing creative lesson plans, meeting the needs of students who possess different abilities, liaising with parents, and keeping on top of credentialing requirements. But if you ask anyone to talk about their favorite teachers, the word “passion” will inevitably be used. Teaching is a passion-driven career.

Educators are also always in high demand, and even when an economy begins to stall, there will be a need for teachers. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the number of jobs in education, training, and libraries will grow by 10%, which translates into a need for 100,000 more educators. If you’re a teacher, job security is something that you likely won’t have to worry about. The flexible schedule of teaching is among the reasons to become a teacher. While some people believe that teachers spend their summers lounging by the pool and enjoying refreshing drinks, the reality is that many educators use this time to become better at what they do. Having two or three months off allows teachers to recharge, plan for the upcoming year, and to take the summer classes that keep them up to date with learning.

And once a teacher decides to retire, they can collect a pension that is often significantly better than what the private sector has to offer. The specifics vary from state to state (in America), but it is possible to retire at 55 or earlier as long as an educator has been contributing to their retirement fund for 30 years.

Some teachers will also phase out of full-time education and transition into part-time positions like co-teaching, specialized tutoring, and even coaching.

There are so many wonderful reasons to become a teacher and the journey begins with a degree in education. Here is some food for thought:

Source: Pexels

Reasons to Become a Teacher

Make a Difference

When you are a teacher, you have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of your students and their families. You help them to see possibilities, and you nurture dreams. For some children, a teacher is the only person who believes in them and cares about them. For others, a teacher is another adult on the team that helps them to grow into world-changers.

When you foster the idea that learning is for life, you help to develop well-rounded and productive individuals.

Every Day is Different

No two days as an educator are alike because no two students are alike. While the fundamentals of subjects like math and reading won’t change much at all over the years, how you deliver the material will. The use of technology in the classroom enables teachers to get innovative with the curriculum in ways that couldn’t have been dreamed of before. And every year, you have a whole new set of students who bring their personalities to the mix.

Job Security

We touched on this a bit earlier, but it’s worth repeating. There will always be a need for teachers. Education and how we deliver it is constantly evolving, but job security is certain and remains one of the excellent answers to “Why be a teacher?”

As an educator, you will also have career mobility which means you can move out of the classroom and into areas such as administration, counseling, or social work.

Vacation Time

Without a doubt, teachers work a lot of hours inside and outside the classroom. Planning, prepping, and grading are all things that most teachers find themselves doing long after their students have left for the day. Teachers also enjoy 8 weeks off in the summer to recharge, invest in continuing education or travel. And throughout the school year, there is paid time off for holidays, spring break, and professional development.

Source: Pexels 

Constant Learning

Teachers are people who model life-long learning habits. Your learning doesn’t stop once you receive your education degree. That love of learning is why people become teachers. Most school districts will require teachers to successfully take a certain number of continuing education credits through the school year, and many teachers pursue graduate degrees part-time. There is generally tuition assistance for these pursuits.

In addition to formal learning, you will be challenged and stretched by the very people in your classroom. You will learn how to meet the needs of children with varying needs, and you’ll celebrate their successes. The students that you teach will make you laugh, will exasperate you at times, and will amaze you with their insights. You will likely realize that they teach you as much, if not more than you teach them.

Global Work Opportunities

If you possess some wanderlust and are wondering, “Is teaching a good career?” it’s helpful to realize that being an educator can take you all over the world. You can use your skills in settings like standard classrooms, refugee camps, or remote schoolhouses. The opportunities are endless because wherever there are children, there is a need for teachers.

Get To Be Creative

Creativity is at the heart of teaching. Being a teacher means you not only get to tap into your creative spirit, but you get to look to your students for inspiration too. They will be eager to participate in learning where they are valued for their ideas, and you can build lessons on that. Gone are the days when students were expected to sit still for hours and when rote memorization was the norm. Today’s educators have a world of information at their fingertips and the space and technology to teach and inspire!

To Teach or Not to Teach? That is the Question!

Why become a teacher? It’s a great opportunity to use your creative skills to help children discover that learning is critical. You set them up to reach their goals and to make a positive difference in the world. Being able to attend school is a game-changer for children, and teachers play the most significant role.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in Education, be sure to check out the tuition-free program offered at the University of the People. Our master’s degree program is developed in partnership with the International Baccalaureate (IB) and prepares graduates to work in a wide range of positions in education upon graduation.

I couldn’t apply for any loans so I decided not to go to college…then I was told about UoPeople

Nathaly Ordonez

Business Administration Student, US

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