Why School Psychologists Get Up in the Morning 38.4 Billion Reasons to Work in the Pet Industry Why "Journalism" Is In This Newsletter Six Rewarding Careers in Social Services How to Change a Life: Jobs in Education

The Truth about Teaching

September 21, 2007

Preschool and elementary teachers can make a huge difference in the lives of children. For young children, teachers are especially important role models, who play a vital role in students' development. Even on tough days, teachers can have fun with their students and reap unexpected rewards for their efforts.

A License to Educate

Public school teachers are required to be licensed by the state in which they teach. All states require licensed teachers to have at least a bachelor's degree and have completed an accredited teacher training program. These programs usually consist of general credits in education and psychology, as well as specific subjects such as science or social studies. In addition, most states require experience with supervised student-teaching. Teachers who obtain master's degrees in education are considered the most desirable entry-level applicants, and many states require their teachers to earn a master's within a certain number of years after they begin teaching.

Teaching Benefits

The median annual earnings of kindergarten and elementary school teachers ranged between $41,000 and $46,000 in 2004. Many teachers increase their salaries through continuing education and certification. Keep in mind that most teachers are allowed at least a two-month vacation during the summer months, during which time they may take other jobs or pursue other interests. A teaching career is perfect for individuals who enjoy traveling or dedicating time to hobbies or continuing education.

Looking Into the Future

Job opportunities for preschool and elementary school teachers are expected to be superb over the next decade. This trend is due to the large number of Baby Boomer teachers who will retire in the near future. Shortages of qualified teachers result in higher salaries and benefits for qualified applicants. With the right skills and training, early-education teachers may enjoy excellent job prospects.

Source

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Teachers"

More Career Tips Articles

Add to My Favorites

	Location: --- All Locations --- Online ------------------------ Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico ------------------------ Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland Northwest Territories Nova Scotia Nunavut Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Yukon Territory London Degree: --- All Degrees --- Associate Bachelor Master Doctoral Diploma Certificate Coursework Subject: --- All Subjects --- Architecture Arts and Design Beauty and Cosmetology Business Communication and Media Computer Culinary Education Engineering Health and Clinical Legal and Law Enforcement Liberal Arts and Humanities Other Science Social Services Travel and Hospitality Vocational/Technician Program: --- Select a Subject ---

	Associate's (AABA) - Human Resources Associate's (AABA) - Criminal Justice Administration More Programs Digital Design Fashion & Retail Management More Programs

	Get the training you need to succeed. Find a school in your region that can help you advance your career.