A number of college students feel so inspired by one teacher throughout their lives that they want to inspire other students in the same way. Pursuing an online degree in education is one of the best ways for students to take the first steps to being a leader and an educator in their community. Teaching can be tough, but it’s also one of the most rewarding jobs out there.
Education as a whole is the second largest industry in the entire United States, employing roughly 13.3 million jobs. Within the broad definition of education fall the four most recognizable jobs: teaching in kindergarten, elementary school, middle school and high school. These teachers held approximately 3.5 million jobs as of 2008, and employment in these fields is expected to grow about 13 percent between now and 2018.
Education programs for students follow a wide range of classes, and students can expect to build a strong foundation in educational basics such as math, science and English. Most education programs will also include classes that specifically focus on teaching methods, including education philosophies and the psychology of teaching. Students must also complete a student-teacher internship in order to gain experience and understanding of how a real classroom actually works. After earning their bachelor’s in education, students must also obtain their teaching license before they can practice independently.
Licensing is required in all 50 states and the District of Colombia before a graduate can teach on their own and is granted by the State Board of Education or a licensure advisory committee. In order to earn a license, all states require general education teachers to have their bachelor’s degree and have completed their internship. Other details vary by state and sometimes include earning a master’s degree within a specific period of time after graduation, technology training and earning a minimum GPA through college. After meeting all requirements, students will be able to pursue a job in education.
While being knowledgeable about the subjects they’re teaching is incredibly important for a teacher to be successful, it’s not the only skill a teacher needs. Teachers must be able to communicate effectively with their students and with their fellow employees, with the ability to inspire confidence and help motivate students to achieve. Teachers must also be highly intuitive and able to recognize that students have different needs. The ability to employ diverse teaching methods for different students is a carefully honed skill and imperative for student success.
Day by day, public interest in education increases as society realizes the importance of learning. Because of this, job opportunities for graduates with an education degree are generally favorable. As teachers retire between now and 2018, many open positions will be left for new teachers to fill. The need for bilingual teachers is great, as is the need for teachers who are qualified to teach in areas like mathematics and science. States are increasingly implementing teacher-friendly policies to specifically encourage students to pursue futures that involve the field of education.
Besides a satisfying job and summers off, teachers earn comfortable pay for the work they do with today’s youth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts a public school teacher’s median annual salary between $47,100 and $51,180, depending on the area where they work. Many teachers are members of unions, founded specifically to help negotiate salaries between teachers and the school board. Teachers also have a number of options when it comes to supplementing their regular salary – they have the option of coaching extracurricular activities as teaching summer school. Additional scholastic qualifications, like a master’s degree, also help teachers to hit higher pay brackets.
Students who have had their lives touched by teachers have the opportunity to do the same thing for others after earning their Online Educational Counseling Degrees. A general degree in education gives graduates the ability to take the first step towards countless careers in the teaching sector, while a masters in education provides tomorrow college professors. Engaging in online distance learning programs offers students the ability to earn their degree and begin their career in education as soon as they graduate.