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Benefits of Choosing a Teaching Career

Posted by:
January 25, 2022

A Master's in Education is a great way to help change the lives of children.

Every person has a story to share about a teacher. The great teachers, the kind teachers, the disorganized teachers, the tough teachers – the impact of teachers from childhood stays with us for the rest of our lives. The primacy of relationships makes teaching one of the most meaningful careers you can choose.

With that being said, here are some benefits to pursuing a career in education.

Great opportunity for employment and professional growth

There is a national shortage of qualified teachers across disciplines, and the shortage is especially acute in STEM fields. In Washington state specifically, teacher shortages are greatest in STEM, special education, and English language learning classrooms.

Security and stability over the course of your career

Teaching is a career you can grow into for the long-term. A skill for teaching, like a skill for writing or a skill for critical thinking, never loses value. School systems will always need high-quality, passionate teachers.

According to Department of Education data, in 2011, 48% of the teaching population had more than 10 years of experience. More recent data from 2017 suggest that the “average teacher” has 14 years of working experience.

Work for diversity and positive social change

Compassion, empathy, communication, and respect are life skills that are learned early on in homes and classrooms.

As America’s classrooms become more and more diverse, there is a growing need for teachers who are willing to navigate the cultural and social complexity of the diverse classroom.

There’s also a significant need for educators from diverse backgrounds; significant evidence indicates that student outcomes are improved when they have at least one same-race teacher.

A variety of career paths, especially if you invest in a master’s degree

Don’t fall for the idea that pursuing a career in teaching means you will live in a classroom for your whole professional life. As your career progresses, you can transition toward school administration, a school leadership role, curriculum development, teacher training, research and analysis, and more.

If you want the option to move out of the classroom into a specialized or leadership-focused role, you will need a master’s degree.

Many people choose to go ahead and get their master’s at the beginning of their career, knowing it allows them much more flexibility and potential for growth long-term.

Ultimately, the field of teaching offers you an arena to make an impact on the life of a child while thriving in a professional field over the long term.

Become a Teacher in Washington State — Connect With PLU!

Choosing a career in teaching can be daunting, but there are many reasons why teaching continues to be a favorite field for people who want to make a difference.

There’s no time like the present to invest in your teaching career and invest in the next generation of American students. An advanced degree in education prepares you to be an excellent teacher, offers you greater opportunity and flexibility long-term, and allows you to create a career and a life of deep impact, one child and one classroom at a time.

If you are interested in learning more about joining a community of education experts at PLU, we encourage you to schedule a one-on-one appointment with us! You can also request more information or start your application today.

We look forward to helping you achieve your career goals!

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