**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.