The 5 most satisfying reasons to become an educator
**The Edvocate is pleased to publish guest posts as way to fuel important conversations surrounding P-20 education in America. The opinions contained within guest posts are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of The Edvocate or Dr. Matthew Lynch.**
A guest column by Anica Oaks
People decide to become teachers for a variety of reasons. Whether you want to teach young children, teenagers in high school or adults in college, being an educator can be one of the most rewarding career choices. The following are five reasons why teaching is a job well worth pursuing.
1. You Make a Positive Contribution to Society
Teachers play a vital role in society. They are responsible for preparing students to make their way in the adult world. There can be a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that you are having a positive influence on the next generation.
2. You Have the Satisfaction of Seeing People Learn
There is a unique satisfaction in seeing the look on students’ faces as they absorb new information and ideas. Learning does not come easily to all students and, as a teacher, you need a great deal of patience. However, there will be times when you see that your efforts have paid off and you’ve really gotten through to someone.
3. You Don’t Have to Work Long Hours
When you’re a teacher, you have many benefits that are not found with many other jobs. For one thing, you get more holidays and paid vacations than most employees. Many teachers can have the entire summer off if they choose. Even apart from summer vacations, statistics show that teachers work fewer hours than other professionals. If you live in a climate that gets snow in winter, you’ll get snow days off. This is a job that allows you to live a similar schedule to a kid attending school.
4. You Never Stop Learning
In addition to the satisfaction of helping others learn, you will always be learning yourself. You may have to get a higher degree to get qualified to teach, such as a master’s degree in higher education, especially if you want to teach at the collegiate level. Once you become a teacher, you still must continue learning and staying current with the latest knowledge in your field. You’ll have to constantly review your facts before each lesson. All this learning keeps your mind sharp.
5. You Are Well Respected
Teaching is a profession that has been highly valued by society for many centuries in every culture. Teachers are valued for the benefits they provide to students and to the greater community. As an educator, you can always be proud to tell people what you do for a living.
These are some of the top reasons why being an educator is a rewarding career choice. This is a profession that will provide you with new challenges on a daily basis. If you have the calling to pursue this career, you should not hesitate to follow this urge. The world is always in need of great teachers.
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Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here. If you are interested in becoming an educator, Anica suggests that you check out a master’s degree in higher education from Abilene Christian University.
Message I do not quite agree that teachers, especially those in my part of the world, Lagos, Nigeria has access to holidays and can even take the summer holidays off.
I am currently a teacher in the private educational sector, that means I work in a school owned by individuals, not the government. I have worked for 3years and I must say that I work from 7.30am to 5.00pm five days a week.
After the last term ends in July, I get maybe a one week holiday and must go back to school and join in organizing summer holiday school for the pupils.
I have been in education for years and I am friends with and related to many educators. Most teachers work another job in the summer either to keep busy or they need the money because teaching does not pay enough where they live. Some places pay competitive salaries but too many teachers need to be careful with their money as they don’t make too much. They spend a great deal of time before and after school hours preparing for class , attending meetings and professional development classes. At best you can see their schedule is flexible but not full of free time,” summers off, holidays, snow days….yay!” To paraphrase the writers opinion. And not surprisingly, the last to be asked about teaching,……(wait for it)….. are teachers. Teachers are longer respected as decades past. I could go on. But I will spare you.