Is teaching a bad career choice...Really?

Question

I have been thinking about becoming a teacher for awhile now. I have enrolled in the alternative certification program in Texas. I have substitute taught in all grade levels (K-12) and know I want to teach grades 4-8. I am currently an Academic Advisor and make VERY little money (low 20s). I love the work, but have no advancement opportunities without getting a masters degree. So, I am working on getting into teaching - because teachers in Texas make decent money (low 40s) and I loved substitute teaching!

Noone is supportive of my decision! Every single teacher-friend I have says "Don't do it - it isn't worth it." Yes, my job now has a very low stress level - often causing boredom sometimes - and I know teaching will cause stress - but I am not afraid of that! The idea of making a DIFFERENCE in someone's life is amazing!!!

So, I guess my "question" is - are there any teachers out there that LOVE what they do - and would recommend I pursue this path?

Answer 1

It takes a certain type of person to be a good teacher.  Half of teachers quit in their first 5 years.  It's stressful, it's hard and the pay is not that great. The workload is huge, the planning and design of lesson plans that are new and innovative, incorporating newly emerging technologies into those lesson plans and then dealing with the bureaucracy of the schools, the ungrateful parents and the unruly snot nose brats who don't appreciate a good teacher.....so yes, teaching is hard, teaching is stressful and teachers don't get enough credit, support or pay for what they do.

But teaching is a noble profession, an amazing profession and if you think you can handle the stress, pressure and craziness of it all then go for it!  But I will tell you that with the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act all teachers are required to get their Masters degrees within a certain amount of time.

Answer 2

I know what you mean!! After working in an office and hating it, I am currently working towards becoming a teacher too. My parents are not supportive. My dad was a teacher before he retired and I guess he hated it...but I'm not my dad. Plus, he doesn't know what it was like on the other side of the fence.

Answer 3

Don't let others determine your path for you. A lot of teachers seem to love what they do. I'm sure it gets old after 10+ years but so does everything else. Besides if you get sick of it you could do something else.

Answer 4

Being a teacher and coming from a family full of teachers I would completely understand where you are coming from when you say, "The idea of making a DIFFERENCE in someone's life is amazing!!!" but the financial end is not great. It is ok if you wish to pursue teaching and limit your lifestyle to what your salary offers but if not and you are constantly unhappy you will pass that on to the children subconsciously.

In that case it is better to get yourself something related to academics or therapy with a higher payscale. I am learning Eurythmy and Art Therapy next year and there are bigger chances with that not just for the salary but also for myself and benefitting alternative education.

If nothing else have a normal job and tutor or try to see if local schools conduct workshops or need a teacher for special students and help out weekly.

Answer 5

I absolutely LOVE what I do!  I will admit that at times I'm tired, frustrated, stressed, etc.  but what occupation doesn't have that sometimes?!  Teaching is extremely rewarding.  There is nothing better than the love and respect of a child.  Not to mention the summers off!  As long as you're not in it for the pay! :)  I say go for it...I would recommend teaching to anyone who thought they would enjoy it!

Answer 6

Yes, it can be stressful, frustrating, infuriating, and exhausting.  It can also be incredibly rewarding and satisfying.  No job is perfect.  But if you love it and have a passion for it, then go for it.  As long as the good outweighs the bad for you, don't worry about what anyone else says.

Answer 7

Well kind of.You have to listen to kids wine all the time and believe me the little kids are anoying. After a while you will get sick of kids. Trust me I got sick of most of the kids in my class. Toodles. I am a teen just to let you know.

Answer 8

Teaching is a rewarding and great experience.  You should give it a try before you completely knock it out.  Who knows you may love it!

Answer 9

I'm a high school teacher, and I love my job.  Teaching isn't for everyone though.  I think because everyone has gone though the school system as students, watching their teachers, they think they can do it too,  I heard of a statistic that something like half of new teachers quit within the first five years.  I believe it too.  Just about half of new teachers that comes to our school to teach for the first time ends up quitting in few years.  However, those that stay are lifers, which probably means that if this job works for you, you will love it enough to stick with it up to retirement.  (I've been teaching for over six years, so I think I'm over the hump!).  Many teachers also work well beyond their retirement age.  

Teaching is a hard job with long hours (with no overtime).  It's no way a 9-5 job (nor a 7-3 job).  My job starts way before the students enter the classroom, and it starts again when the students leave the classroom.  I work after school and I work at home at night.  Most of the work has to do with preparing lessons, contacting parents, grading papers, going to numerous meetings, extra help for students, dealing with tons of administrative paperwork, etc. etc. etc.  I feel like the time I spend in the classroom with students is like the end result... you'll have a good lesson and good rapport with the students because you did all your "homework".  

Just know that you will not sleep much the first few years (at least).  You will have to deal with difficult students, and even more difficult parents.  You will have to deal with stupid administrative c**p,  You will be forced to follow curriculum and adopt teaching styles designed by people who probably have not taught in decades.  You will not get much support from the administration.  You will be pretty much on your own to figure things out.  YOU WILL BE OVERWHELMED.  And everyone around you will think that you have an easy job because your work is done at 3pm (yeah, right) and you have the summers off (yeah, we don't get PAID either)

HOWEVER, teaching IS rewarding, really.  When a student genuinely gets excited about something that you taught them... when a student who has been struggling with something finally gets it with your help... when a parent thanks you for doing a great job and helping his/her child... when a student who you taught many years ago comes back and tells you about things he remembered learning in your class...  It makes all the hard work totally worth it.  

I also like teaching because you never stop learning yourself.  Best teachers keeps abreast of the technology, teaching methods, and topics in their teaching area (in my case, science).  Teachers are always attending workshops to learn new stuff.  That's a lot of fun.  Teaching will never get "old" because you don't do the same thing year after year.  You are constantly updating your lessons and curriculum according to the students you have and what you learned from those workshops.  

I also think teaching keeps you young because you are with young people all the time and hear about the newest music, games, internet sites, clothes, etc.  

If you are passionate about this job and are willing to work hard for it, it is the best job in the world.

Answer 10

my mom is a teacher,she used to be an accountant and hated it,now she loves her job,go for it,its your life;)