Should I go into teaching?

Question

I hear a lot about school closures and firing new teachers due to state budget cuts in the education departments. This scares me and makes me wonder if going to school to become a teacher will leave me without a job. Advice? I've always wanted to teach.

Answer 1

Go into it...you'll be happy.

Answer 2

Yes.  If you are passionate about teaching then do it.  I just graduated and found a job before I finished my internship. I changed my major so many times because teachers make so little $ and I wanted to make a lot of $.  Let’s just say I’d rather do what I am passionate about that have heavy pockets.

Answer 3

I think you definitely should become a teacher!  Look, teachers are having a hard time right now, and they have been for a while.  But there is good news:  Bush is on his way out, and many of the problems in the field of education right now can be directly or indirectly attributed to his administration.  I am not trying to make a political statement, it's just the truth, look it up.  As for the current state of the economy, those issues will affect everyone, not just teachers.  Granted, our society needs to value teachers more, and they should be paid better in general, but it seems that you accept that state of affairs--you are just worried about it getting even worse, and understandably so!  It may take a little while to repair the damage that has been done, but by the time you are out of school, I believe that things will be a lot better.  There are always ebbs and flows in these types of situations and the current climate is one where it seems it is about time for the pendulum to swing the other way again.  Try to think about things in the long term, both economically and personally.  How would you feel if you did not follow your lifelong dream?  You would probably always regret it and feel somewhat like a sellout.  And then think about this:  remember all those teachers you had that didn't seem to want to be there?  Who were either burnt out, frustrated, or who seemed to have even taken the job out of what they perceived to be a lack of a better option?  Think of the amazing contribution you could make in people's lives!  Because you have a passion for teaching!  What could be better than that?  I still remember a few teachers that changed my life for the better, as can many other people, and I can guarantee you that all of those people would say that the teachers who changed their lives were people who genuinely loved to teach.  We desperately need more of those people.  Plus, you may replace someone who is actually doing more harm than good.  

You have a gift that not a lot of people have--you know what you love to do.  Please, please don't throw it away!  For your own sake and for your future students.  Just plan well financially, and you won't regret your decision.

Answer 4

I'm not going to lie.  It's tough to find a job.  It took me 4 years to find my dream job. Was it worth the wait?  You bet. I subbed for a year and tutored for 3.  If you can specialize, you have a lot better shot at finding a job.  Special Ed., Reading and Math specialists, and ESL teachers are in fairly high demand in some areas of the country.  Communities in the South are screaming for teachers (but that can be scary--you have to be careful) and so is Las Vegas.  If it is what you really want to do, you will make it work.

Answer 5

It depends.  The best bet for you to get to keep your job is to specialize in a high demand area.  Science and Math teachers in the upper grades or reading specialists or ESL (english as a second language) teachers or Special Education teachers in the lower grades.  Keep in mind that it usually takes 4 years for a teacher to be given tenure (meaning that they can't fire you unless you do something really really really bad).  So if you think one of those above areas sounds like something you might be interested in, then seriously consider teaching.  If you really want to teach elementary school, they still need teachers and Las Vegas is building a new elementary school every week or something like that.  They are growing that fast.  There is just a lot to take into consideration when deciding to teach.  Good Luck!!

Answer 6

I think you should go into teaching, just make sure you have a back up plan incase it doesn't work out. Like see if one of your friends can help you out if that happens, mabey they can talk to their boss and get you a job there.

Answer 7

It's an honorable occupation, but it pays nothing. Plus, the kids rule the roost now, not the teachers. Get a Master's and teach at a Community College.

Answer 8

If this is what you want to do, I say go for it. I'm a teaching student. There will always be a need for teachers, it just depends on location. One good way to get your foot in the door after you get your BA is to be a substitute. You can earn money while getting your credential, and have control of what days you can work. There are always teachers that retire, take maternity leave, or change grade levels mid school year. Keep in mind that if we downsize now, and the budget crisis ends, there will be a need for teachers again. Do what you love. If you are passionate about being with kids, then this is the job for you.