The Teaching Career

Different Types of Teachers -- Earnings -- Working Conditions -- Hours --
Education & Training Needed -- Advantages -- Disadvantages -- Future in Teaching Career -- How to Start a Teaching Career

Go to Elaine Griffin's Interview Page
Teaching is the largest of all professions. There are many different types of teachers, but they can be broken down into four main types. Teaching is one profession that many do not consider to be adventurous. If you speak to a teacher that loves his or her career, he or she will definitely oppose the last statement. "Nothing could be more adventurous than helping students learn to teach themselves," said Elaine Griffin, 1995 National Teacher of the year.

There are many different types of teachers, but this page will focus on just four, elementary, secondary, special education, and college profesors.

Elementary teachers usually teach several subjects to one class. Elementary students usually range from the ages of six to twelve.
Secondary teachers teach one or two subjects to several different classes and are more concerned with the students' academic progress.
Special education teachers educate the students with disabilities. They may teach in schools or institutions.
College professors teach at a full load 12 to 15 hours on one specific subject. Professors also consult businesses, government and public services. Their schedule is very full with activities other than teaching that they may find it hard to spend enough time in the classroom.

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Earnings

Earnings are determined according to education, experience, geographic region, size of sytem or institution, age, grade level, and rank. Generally a professor is paid more than a secondary teacher and a secondary teacher is paid more than an elementary teacher. Most elementary and secondary teachers have another form of income and are paid on a 12 month basis even though they work only nine or ten months.

Estimated national annual averages are:
Elementary Teacher - $25,000 to $34,000
Secondary Teacher - $25,000 to $34,000
Special Education Teacher - $25,000 to $29,000
College Professor - $26,100 to $56,200
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Working Conditions

Teachers generally work in a classroom or office usually nine or ten months of the year. Some special activities may be held outdoors.
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Hours

Generally the hours are from 7:30 am until 4:00 pm five days a week, nine months of the year but, the work of a teacher is never finished. Teachers grade papers at night and on weekends or attend meetings early in the morning. Most teachers do not work holidays or during the summer.
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Education and Training Needed

A different level of degree is needed to teach at colleges than at lower levels of schools. Different states also require different degrees. Wherever you live, elementary and secondary teachers must receive at least bachelors degree and about one-third have earned their masters. Special education teachers also must earn a bachelors and option to double major in human development and education or with an endorsement in special education. College teachers must have at least a masters and many are even required to have their doctorate. A professor's degree must be in the subject are to be taught. A Ph.D. is needed in order to reach full power in an institution.
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Advantages

There are definite advantages to teaching as there are disadvantages. First all of, you have America's future in your classroom and according to 1995 National Teacher of the Year, Elaine Griffin, teaching is "a career full of adventure, of challenge, of stimulating conversations, and even of travel. My job is one that everyone dreams of, one that provides so much variety that you can do in twenty-four hours a day and never be bored by doing the same thing twice, one that offers problems which seem insurmountable but have resolutions that make you feel proud."
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Disadvantages

Elaine Griffin, 1995 National Teacher of the Year, feels that there are several problems that face education today. She suggests that "we need to attract the best thinkers we can to the teaching profession, supply them with adequate time to become teacher-researchers, and give them the power to make changes."
Elaine's issues of concern include:

Improving Staff Stability
Encouraging Community Involvement
Ensuring Professional Growth
Coping with Neverending Demands of the Profession
Acquiring Teachers with a Variety of Teaching Talents
Maintaining High Energy Levels
Increasing Job Satisfaction

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Future in Teaching Career

There is a definite future in the teaching career and the job market is improving. Here are a few facts and figures on teaching careers according to The Nebraska Department of Labor.

Estimated number of teachers by 2000 -

Elementary School Teachers - 1,767,000

Secondary School Teachers - 1,724,000

Special Education Teachers - 625,000

College Professors - 1,026,000

Employment growth is good in every field of teaching.

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How to Start a Teaching Career

If you enjoy working with kids, teaching may be a profession of interest. To begin your education, you can visit with:

a high school counselor,
a teacher,
or an admissions counselor at a local college.

Many adventurous teaching opportunities are open to you.
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