Career: Elementary, Middle, and High School Teachers
If you want to become a teacher, it's probably because of your experiences in the classroom. Maybe you find inspiration in great teachers or simply your own love of learning. With a career in school teaching, you'll be able to share that love and pass along the skills and knowledge kids need to get a start in life.
Elementary, middle, and high school teachers work in public or private schools, preparing children for the work world or college. They also try to inspire a lifelong love of learning in their students.
“I get to help kids learn; they get so excited when they get something, and I love to see that.”
Sheila, Reading Teacher
Are You Ready To...?
- Prepare lessons
- Make kids behave
- Grade papers and tests
- Fill out report cards
- Meet with parents
It Helps to Be...
A curious, creative communicator who is patient, flexible, and tireless. You should also be compassionate as well as sensitive to the needs of others.
Make High School Count
- Get a well-rounded education, especially if you want to teach in an elementary school, where academic teachers cover all subjects, from English to math.
- Notice the way your teachers teach. Which methods work? Do different teachers have different styles?
- Join a peer-tutoring program.
“Perfectionists will struggle in this profession. It requires trial and error, and time in the classroom.”
Susan, Middle School History Teacher
Outlook
Government economists expect jobs for kindergarten teachers and elementary school teachers to grow faster than the average for all careers through 2016. Jobs for middle school teachers should grow about as fast as average. And jobs for high school teachers should grow more slowly. There should be plenty of jobs, though, because this is such a large profession.
Most openings will result from the retirement of today's teachers. In 2006, almost 50 percent of all teachers were older than 45.
Compensation
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the 2007 average yearly earnings of teachers (not including special education teachers) by educational level taught:
- Kindergarten: $47,750
- Elementary school: $50,040
- Middle school: $50,630
- Secondary school: $52,450
