Teachers educate, inspire, coach, and facilitate students of all different ages. Techniques used by teachers range depending on the age and capability of the particular class or student. It is common for teachers to use interactive discussions and hands-on approaches to assist students in learning. The “props” or “manipulatives” that are used can also range depending on the specific need. Concepts of numbers or of addition and subtraction may be taught to children with the use of board games or flash cards. This is an example of a prop.
Teachers who educate students in preschool and primary school essentially establish the foundation of how a child progresses in later stages of life, learning, and education. Early experiences are crucial to the development of children. Subjects such as mathematics, language, science, and social studies are introduced through a series of games, music, art, film, and books. Due to the advances in technology and the impact of computers on society, introduction to computers is also a main focus.
Preschool students learn primarily through play and interactive activities. Storytelling and rhyming games, along with repetition, act to further improve social skills. Preschool settings tend to be less structured and are smaller in size than higher levels of education. One on one instruction and learning through creative activities are the basis for success in these children.
Elementary teachers, starting with kindergarten, teach in a more structured manner. Kindergarten students begin to learn letter recognition, phonics, and numbers. They also begin to become aware of nature and science. Most elementary school teachers work with one class and teach several subjects.
Middle school teachers and secondary school teachers begin to introduce more information pertaining to real world situations and are commonly responsible for instructing students in a specific subject. Teachers that specialize in a particular field, such as mathematics or science, find it beneficial to instruct one subject throughout the day.
Along with the day to day process of educating, teachers are also responsible for handling a multitude of clerical duties. Teachers design classroom presentations, plan, evaluate and assign lessons, grade homework and tests, complete report cards and progress reports and, at times, may be assigned to oversee study hall, field trips, and extra curricular activities.
A teacher’s job at times will not simply be confined to a traditional workday. There will be times when work is taken home. From correcting homework assignments to planning special activities to participation in extra curricular activities, there may be times when the school day ends but the work continues.
Teachers that are employed by private schools enjoy more freedoms than those that teach in public schools. They are able to take more control over curriculum and are assigned smaller numbers of students per classroom. Many teachers that instruct at private schools feel that the students are more motivated.
It is required in all 50 states and the District of Columbia that all teachers be licensed. With the exception of some private schools, licenses are mandatory regardless of the grade being taught. The State Board of Education is the primary organization to approve licenses. Teachers may only be licensed to teach a specific grade. While going to school for education, teachers must decide what level of education they want to teach, and then specialize in that area. Most commonly, these areas are divided into early education, elementary education, and secondary education.
Requirements for teacher credentials vary from state to state. However, all states require teachers who instruct general education to have a bachelor’s degree, they must have completed an approved teacher training course, have a specific number of subject and education credits, and for each subject they must have completed supervised sessions of practiced teaching. It is also not uncommon for districts to insist that teachers obtain a master’s degree in education within a specified period of time after beginning to teach. Higher degrees, however, also tend to earn the teacher’s a higher salary.
Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, prospective teachers must complete a course in a professional development school. These programs generally take one year to complete and are essential to help teachers merge theory with practice while experiencing a year of teaching under professional guidance.
Many states also offer alternative licensure programs for prospective applicants who have a bachelor’s degree in a specialized subject, but lack the necessary general education courses. These potential teachers have the knowledge and skills to instruct students in areas like math and science and become useful to school districts when there are shortages of teachers.
Teachers that choose to instruct vocational classes, like agriculture and home economics, may require the same credentials and schooling as their academic counterparts. Because knowledge and experience in a particular field are important criteria for the job, however, many states will hire candidates that possess a bachelor’s degree and can prove expertise in a certain field.
It is also important for teachers to have the ability to communicate, inspire, and motivate students. Educational and emotional needs of children will vary, so it is essential for teachers to be able recognize and respond to individual differences. Teachers work in a community of peers, so it is necessary to maintain effective communication skills, patience, and compassion towards different cultures.
As a teacher gains more knowledge and becomes more accustomed to school activities, it is possible to obtain other positions within the school district.
It is important to point out that teacher’s salaries will range depending on many different factors. Teachers who educate at a preschool level will make considerably less than a teacher who specializes in a specific subject at the higher grades. Teachers who seek continued education or complete certification programs also receive a higher compensation. In addition, factors such as years of teaching experience and level of education play a role in a teacher’s salary.
Another way some teachers choose to supplement the standard salary is to participate in coaching sports. In most school districts, there is additional pay for coaches as well as teachers who participate in leading extra curricular activities.
It is important to note that pay scales, salaries, and benefits will vary depending on the state, the school district, and the level of education a teacher is providing.
Here is a breakdown of the median national averages of salaries for teachers by grade:
Elementary School Teacher $38,830 per year
Middle School Teacher $40,290 per year
Secondary School Teacher $40,910 per year
Kindergarten Teacher $35,460 per year
Preschool Teacher $32,800 per year
As it has been said, teacher salaries will also vary based on the State of employment. Here is a breakdown of the median national average for individual States:
California $45,270 per year
Texas $36,340 per year
New York $48,970 per year
Pennsylvania $45,780 per year
Florida $35,470 per year
Median national averages per specialized subject.
Mathematics $36,000 per year
History $36,205 per year
Science $36,450 per year
Foreign Language $35,000 per year
Teacher salary averages are according to payscale.com.
Teacher salary schedules are a matter of public record. It may be necessary to do some research before applying for a position in a specific school district. The need for trained teachers is constantly growing, due to increases in population and an anticipated loss of many teachers to retirement.
Along with the salary packages, teachers also receive full medical benefits. They work a traditional workweek of Monday-Friday with weekends and holidays off. Another attraction is the winter, spring, and summer breaks. Many teachers are also part of a teachers union, which negotiates and works to make sure teachers are working in the best possible conditions.
Becoming a teacher is a rewarding career for those that are interested in doing their part to contribute to the growth and successes of America’s youth. It is often said that teachers do not teach for the money. They teach to give back to communities and to inspire.