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Career Rating and Comparison
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Degrees and Schools
Most elementary school teachers start by earning a bachelor's degree in education from a college or university. Many colleges require that students be sophomores before they apply for admission to an education program. Those who hold a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field can attend a one-year professional development program to obtain their credential and qualify for licensure.
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council award accreditation to schools with educational programs.
Classes
College coursework related to education as a career usually begins during the sophomore year. Areas of study include:
- mathematics, English, physical and social sciences, music and art
- philosophy of education
- teaching methods
- psychology of learning
- use of computers and other learning technologies
In addition to classes, most elementary education students are expected to participate in a student-teaching internship.
Online Classes and Programs
Obtaining a degree or credential in elementary education through an online program can be a convenient option. At least one school with an online program is accredited by TEAC. Online schools, however, may be less likely to coordinate student teaching internships or assist with job placement upon graduation.
Employment Requirements
Demand for public school teachers has inspired many states to create a new career path into the field. While the traditional route requires a bachelor's degree in elementary education before obtaining a teaching license, most states now allow aspiring teachers with bachelor's degrees in non-related fields to attend one-year professional development programs before seeking their license.
Teachers who work for private schools must also have a bachelor's degree in education but do not need to be licensed.
The State Board of Education, or a licensure advisory committee, usually grants licensure for grades 1 through 6 or 8. Specific requirements vary by state, but general requirements include a bachelor's degree, completion of an approved training program, and supervised practice teaching. Having a degree from a school accredited by the NCATE or TEAC can help with licensure. Some states require a minimum grade point average and training in technology. They may expect teachers to obtain a master's degree at some point.
How to Evaluate Elementary Education Schools
Here are some questions to consider when comparing elementary education programs:
- Reputation - Is the school recognized for its education program? Is it accredited by TEAC or NCATE and, if an online program, direct-learning organizations?
- Location - What are the state requirements for licensure in the desired location of employment? What states have the best funding for education, and offer the best opportunities and benefits for teachers?
- Tuition and financial assistance - Are financial aid resources such as loans, scholarships and work study programs available and easy to obtain?
- Class size and courses - How many students are in a typical class? Is the list of offered courses comprehensive? If an area of specialization is desired, are there substantial courses to support that goal?
- Student-teaching internships and job placement - How are internships arranged? Are there a lot to choose from? What is the job placement success rate for graduates?
Elementary School Teacher Job Description
The education, both intellectual and social, that children receive from elementary school teachers can greatly determine the outcomes they will experience as adults. Elementary school teachers are not only responsible for educating youth according to national and state standards, but also teaching skills in discipline, productivity and social interaction. Through positive feedback, mentoring, role modeling, facilitating interaction, experiential learning and fun, they communicate the information and concepts that are fundamental to the future development of each child.
An elementary school teacher's responsibilities include:
- Instructing youth on the basics of math, English, history, science, music, art, social sciences and physical education
- Presenting established curricula as selected by the school
- Selecting required instructional materials and resources
- Creating lesson plans, planning field trips and inviting guest speakers
- Administering and grading homework and tests
- Using computers, games, music, artwork, videos, experiments, books and goal-setting to motivate students to learn
- Adapting lessons to different levels of learning ability within a group
- Coaching individual students and groups; promoting development of social skills through group interaction
- Preparing students for and conducting national and state tests and assessments
- Encouraging understanding of racial and cultural diversity, and social mores
- Monitoring behavior and enacting discipline
Some elementary school teachers work as part of a two-person team, or rotate with other teachers who specialize in specific academic areas. They may work for public schools, where they have larger classes, or private schools where classes are smaller. Most work for the 10-month school year with a two-month summer break, during which they plan for the next school year and take continuing education courses. Multilingual teachers are often in high demand.
Career Profiles
To help career searchers evaluate their options, BrainTrack has asked hundreds of workers to profile their jobs with a review and ratings. See below for a summary of this career compared to all rated careers and for detailed reviews.
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Job Title: Music Teacher
Attended: MTSU • Murfreesboro, TN
Studied Music Education (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/22/2012
"I love it, but there are down sides to the profession. The pay rate is one down side."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 5 | I didn't feel very prepared for the profession. However, my professors inspired me to do a good job. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | Not many opportunities. I have to get more education. |
| Job Security | 3 | I do not have tenure. In my state teachers with tenure can still be fired. |
| Earnings Potential | 3 | I consider it to not have earning potential. The most I can make is not very much! |
| How Stressful | 6 | Stressful dealing with angry children and parents. There is pressure on all teachers to perform. |
| Task Variety | 10 | Never a dull moment with kids. Teachers have to be flexible. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | Not very glamorous working with kids. However, it is glamorous to have a steady income. |
| Career Flexibility | 8 | I am home everyday by 3:30 and have weekends off. |
| Social Orientation | 6 | I talk to most teachers at my school everyday, so probably 20 to 30 colleagues. |
Job Title: 5th Grade School Teacher
Attended: Utah Valley University • Orem, UT
Studied Education (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/21/2012
"I love teaching, and I love most of my students. The pay could be better, but I wouldn't mind teaching 5th graders for the next twenty years!"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 7 | UVU was a great school, and I had a really good experience there. I wouldn't say that their educational degrees are their strongest aspect, but they certainly prepared me for teaching. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | This is only my second year of teaching, so I don't think that I am experienced enough to get a promotion. On the other hand, I might as well have as good a chance as anyone since the school I work at just opened. |
| Job Security | 6 | The school I work at just opened, so I think that that provides me with a certain level of security. Unfortunately, in this economy nothing is certain, and things could change at any moment. |
| Earnings Potential | 2 | School teachers are quite underpaid in my opinion. I work long hours for little pay, but I don't mind that much because it's just me living in an apartment. |
| How Stressful | 8 | I am constantly stressed about my students. The funny thing is that this is only because I really want them to succeed. When a project is due I am really worried because I really hope that all of my students have completed it. |
| Task Variety | 5 | I can do lots of different things with my students. I can go outside with them, play games, and do crafts. Unfortunately, there are only so many math papers you can grade before they all start to look the same. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 3 | Being a school teacher isn't a very prestigious job. Most people give me a sympathetic look when I tell them about my job, but I like it. Things could be a lot worse so I am not complaining. |
| Career Flexibility | 6 | Being a teacher is demanding, but compared to my co-workers I have quite a bit of flexibility, I have three parents that come in and aid my class and help me grade things, so I don't have a lot of work if any to do outside of working hours. |
| Social Orientation | 7 | Obviously I spend my whole day with kids, but I also see other teachers constantly. We do fun things together, and I get to meet students parents. I can't really be like best friends with them, but there are some of them that I am really close to. |
Job Title: Art Teacher
Attended: Keuka College • Keuka Park, NY
Studied Unified Childhood/Special Education With An Emphasis In Art (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/21/2012
"I love the kids that I work with and have always dreamed of being an art teacher. The only reason I chose an 8 and not a 10 is because it wasn't QUITE what I expected and the pay isn't that great."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | My school did a fantastic job training me. When I did student teaching they really helped me in ways I never thought was imaginable in college. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | I highly doubt I will be promoted to a higher position. But there may be a slight chance. |
| Job Security | 7 | Teaching is a very hard profession to get into nowadays when everyone is being laid off or fired. I am happy to be where I am and I believe I will be here for awhile. |
| Earnings Potential | 6 | As I've stated before, the pay isn't great. I wish I got paid more, but I am surviving perfectly fine without the extra money. |
| How Stressful | 4 | I am doing what I love, so it isn't that stressful. It can be at times when there are complaints from students and/or parents and when I do grading. |
| Task Variety | 8 | The crafts they do are different every day. One day we will be working with clay while another day we are working with string and beads. No two days are the same. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 8 | It may not be considered cool to others, but I think I have one of the coolest jobs. I come up with great craft ideas and I get to work with my hands and help out kids. It's fantastic! |
| Career Flexibility | 9 | I actually sell Avon on the side and I do some photography. I don't have any part time work, but I go to school at 7:45 in the morning and come home around 5:00 pm at the latest. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | The other teachers I work with are great. They were so welcoming when I started my job and it's kind of like a family with the faculty. |
Job Title: 3rd Grade Teacher
Attended: SUNY Fredonia • Fredonia, NY
Studied Early Childhood Education (completion in 2005)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/21/2012
"I love being a teacher, knowing that I am educating children for the future. My students are like my kids, but it is not the ideal grade I want to be teaching nor the ideal school I want to be teaching in."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 9 | Fredonia was a great education school. The levels of participation they allowed you to do while schooling, tutoring, student teaching, and observing were all super helpful in growing into the teacher I wanted to be. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | Not necessarily getting promoted as a teacher I plan on staying a classroom teacher. The difference is the pay grade raises. |
| Job Security | 5 | Teachers in NYS never seem to be safe because of budgets and cut backs. So with my lack of tenure I do not feel overly secure. |
| Earnings Potential | 7 | Teachers do not get paid enough for what they do. They do it for the satisfaction. But of course the longer I am in the position, the greater my earnings will be, as will my retirement benefits. |
| How Stressful | 7 | Education is so important, so of course there is stress involved knowing that you hold the success of each of your students in your hands. Stress also comes from dealing with parents and/or administration. |
| Task Variety | 10 | Of course the daily schedule is the same teaching each subject at the same time everyday. But the daily tasks are never the same. What I teach and how I teach it changes daily. Plus you never know what kids will say or do, so you have to be on the ball. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 10 | When you grow up knowing that you want to teach and you get the opportunity to do so, I would say that is pretty cool. I love what I do and love working with kids so there is nothing better. |
| Career Flexibility | 3 | Work flexibility doesn't really exist when you are teaching. You have to go by the school's schedule. Of course as a teacher you have the benefit of holidays, weekends and summers when you could work a part time job, but on the job there is no schedule flexibility. |
| Social Orientation | 5 | Sometimes I wish I could talk to another adult and not just a room of 20 kids. But there is social interaction with other co-workers on a daily basis. |
Job Title: Elementary Music Teacher
Attended: Evangel University • Springfield, MO
Studied Music Education (completion in 2011)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/21/2012
"It is a good start coming out of college, but I would like to pursue higher educational opportunities. I love working with kids, and it makes me happy."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Opportunity for Promotion | 8 | The more experience I get with the kids, the more satisfying it will be for me. Each school district will be different, but I hope I am able to fit into the right one. |
| Job Security | 8 | I am hoping to be tenured very soon. My teaching will continue to improve. |
| Earnings Potential | 5 | I know it is not six figures, but it is a good start. As I move up the chain, it will get better. |
| How Stressful | 8 | There are a lot of classes to cover and much material to go through. The history of music is very vast. |
| Task Variety | 10 | As different classes come in, so does the opportunity to switch my lessons. I have kindergarten one hour, then 5th grade the next. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 8 | It is music, so I love it! I love seeing the kids reaction to my cool tuba. |
| Career Flexibility | 3 | Strict school hours. Also, concert hours are strict and mandatory. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | I'm always with other teachers in my area. There are dozens of opportunities to see new teachers and meet old ones as well. |
Job Title: Teacher
Attended: University Of Vermont • Burlington, VT
Studied Elementary Education (completion in 2006)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/21/2012
"I am satisfied on the days that I feel I have made a difference for my students. However, with so many IEP and 504 students in my class it is often hard to feel effective for the average student. In addition, I take a lot of work home at night which I am not paid enough for."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 8 | The school provides all the basic classes plus helpful and fun electives like music for elementary teachers. In addition, the professors seem like they care about the students despite having so many different students in classes and as advisees. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 4 | There are not a lot of opportunities to move up. I automatically move up on the ladder based on experience, but there is no more power or responsibility. I would need to go back for more education to move upward. |
| Job Security | 8 | Although there have been budget cuts in schools recently, I feel that teachers are always something that will be needed. In addition, I work at a small school with only 1 teacher per grade so positions are more difficult to eliminate. |
| Earnings Potential | 3 | I am guaranteed a raise each year based on teacher contracts. However, it takes many years to get to a level of feeling financially stable. |
| How Stressful | 8 | This can be an extremely stressful position. You are expected to be responsible for 20 kids at a time. That includes not only teaching them, which is hard enough, but also dealing with behaviors and the overall politics of working in the school setting. |
| Task Variety | 7 | Some days are repetitive. However, there are always unexpected things that happen from day to day that keep it from being mundane. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 4 | I don't believe this profession is thought of as "cool," mostly because of the salary. However, there are some cool days when we take low income children skiing (in our school ski program), or to the museum for the first and probably only time in their lives. |
| Career Flexibility | 3 | Hours are not flexible and it is not really possible to move to part time. However, the hours allow for me to be more flexible with time after school, going to my children's games and extra curricular activities. |
| Social Orientation | 8 | We live in a small community and have a close community. The teachers and paras get together often outside of school for different events and to socialize. |
Job Title: 5th Grade Elementary Teacher
Attended: University Of Missouri At St. Louis • St. Louis, MO
Studied Curriculum And Instruction (completion in 2014)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/23/2012
"I really enjoy teaching, however the constant pressure to achieve on standardized tests can be overwhelming. The overcrowding in class rooms within inner city schools is also tough as a teacher. It makes it hard to differentiate instruction and to work one on one with individual students."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 7 | University of Missouri at St. Louis (UMSL) provides quality instruction. Where I have a grievance is that much of the instruction and course materials provided is not relevant to teaching within an inner city school district. The instructional methods are more suitable to teaching in a suburban school district. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 6 | In my current school district promotions are usually limited and in fact many of the leadership positions have been cut. In order to receive a promotion you have to basically apply for a different job with a higher rate of pay. |
| Job Security | 5 | Given the current economic state of the United States, job security as a teacher in my opinion is not the greatest. While there is a high need for teachers, state budgets are not able to support the cost of education. So reduction in teaching staff is usually part of the budget cuts seen by districts. |
| Earnings Potential | 5 | Just remaining a classroom teacher, there is not much room to earn above $60,000 a year. You have to be highly credentialed and experienced to fall within that pay bracket. |
| How Stressful | 9 | Classroom management as a teacher can be extremely stressful depending on what kind of school you teach in. The school that I teach in is known for violent behavior from students and parents and sometimes even staff. You are constantly having to watch out for back stabbing professionals who want to get you in trouble with the principal. In addition to this, many of my students are behind at least 2 years in reading and math and every year administration expects the teachers to help the students not only catch up to the current grade level but also to pass state assessments. |
| Task Variety | 8 | As a teacher there are many tasks you have to complete. While it is taught to establish a routine for your students, there is almost always something unexpected that may arise. You have to be flexible and able to problem solve quickly. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 3 | While people consider it a noble profession, very few people actually want to be a teacher. They consider the long hours and low rate of pay to be unrewarding economically. I would say that while teaching is a necessary profession for any society, it is one of the least respected within the US. |
| Career Flexibility | 6 | As a teacher there is little time for part time work, or to work from home for your own personal economic gain. By the time you finish lesson plans, grading papers, or parent teacher conferences, there is little time left for anything else including, your own family. |
| Social Orientation | 8 | I would say that teaching is a highly social profession. You have to interact with your fellow teachers, parents, administration, and in some cases the media. |
Job Title: Teacher
Attended: Bowling Green State University • Bowling Green, OH
Studied Elementary Education (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/22/2012
"Teaching is not what I thought it would be. Very little accountability is put upon students or parents, and it is all very data-driven because of national and state funding."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 7 | I feel that my school prepared me for the content and teaching aspects. However, it lacked communication of the current state of education and the actual job outlook. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | There are very few options for promotion without additional schooling. The only "promotion" you can really receive is teaching advanced classes or becoming a skills specialist. |
| Job Security | 6 | I work in a high-needs urban area with a high turnover rate, because teachers do not find the job satisfactory. So, teachers are not often let go. |
| Earnings Potential | 2 | Teacher salaries are notoriously low-paying. Some areas of the country pay more than others, but you will rarely make enough to support a family. |
| Task Variety | 10 | Teaching is different everyday. The lessons, student behavior, and administrative expectations vary greatly. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 1 | Teaching is absolutely not considered a glamorous career. It is frowned up as a specialty in many circles, because a lot of people feel that anyone can teach. |
| Career Flexibility | 2 | Teaching is highly inflexible. You have a very set schedule, because you have to be there when students are there. You cannot work from home. The only flexibility is that there are schools in all locations. |
| Social Orientation | 2 | You are rarely able to socialize on the job. The only opportunities for adult interaction are during planning meetings and lunch. |
Job Title: Teacher
Attended: CSU East Bay (Was Originally Called CSU Hayward) • Hayward, CA
Studied Multiple Subject Credential Program (completion in 2006)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/20/2012
"Absolutely love the classroom. Really enjoy watching children develop academically and socially."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 2 | Instructors are woefully out of touch with the realities of classrooms and school districts. The program demands that students accomplish tasks that will irritate if not outright anger master teachers. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 7 | In education, you can go almost anywhere. If you are willing to go in an administrative route, you are not limited to only principal positions. If you decide to change focus and/or age group, you can do that. |
| Job Security | 3 | Public school teachers are essentially paid by taxes. As the economy has slumped, the tax revenue is lower, so the available funds decrease as well. |
| Earnings Potential | 2 | Teaching has always paid low. As pension and insurance benefits decrease, you need to be a teacher for teaching's sake, not for financial benefits. The worst teachers were the ones who taught only for retirement benefits. |
| How Stressful | 10 | As teachers are more and more becoming like extra parents, the stress levels increase. Test scores, while important, don't take into account social turmoil, psychological development, or passion. |
| Task Variety | 10 | No matter how hard you try, nothing in a school is predictable. That being said, with appropriate classroom management strategies, you can do a lot to manage routines related to small tasks (papers, pencils, lines, books, etc.) |
| How Cool Is The Career | 10 | It's teaching. How can teaching not be cool? I absolutely love it. But, if you want to be a teacher in order to look cool to a bunch of kids, this is a career choice that is not for you. the career is about kids, not you. |
| Career Flexibility | 8 | In terms of finding positions, you can find a wide variety, as well a make mid-career changes (namely, elementary to high school and vice versa). Downside is that you could be forced into a grade level that you hate. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | By definition, you are interacting with others. This is a good and a bad thing. If you need "alone time," it's pretty hard to find. |
Job Title: Teacher
Attended: University Of Phoenix • Phoenix, AZ
Studied MAED (Master's In Elementary Education) (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/23/2012
"I love helping young people. The feedback I get is very rewarding."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 9 | I had a lot of support from instructors and staff. This was an online program and I felt that it was more rigorous than a traditional program. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 7 | Once you are a teacher, you usually remain a teacher or get promoted to administration. |
| Job Security | 6 | There have been many budget cuts for education in my state. I am working at a private school now and my salary depends on enrollment. |
| Earnings Potential | 5 | I don't know any teachers who are rich. I don't think I will be either. |
| How Stressful | 8 | There are difficult kids to deal with. There are difficult parents to deal with. |
| Task Variety | 10 | I am constantly dealing with problems in the classroom. I often have to deal with parental situations. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 8 | I like relating to young people. I also like to be able to help shape their personalities. For me, that is very cool. |
| Career Flexibility | 3 | I can teach at the school. I can also tutor on the side. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | I constantly deal with students' problems. I also have to communicate effectively with parents. |
Job Title: First Grade Teacher
Attended: Southeast Missouri State University • Cape Girardeau, MO
Studied (completion in 2008)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/21/2012
"What makes me less satisfied with my job than I feel like I should be is that there is too much government involvement in the classrooms/curriculum of the schools. I believe that we should set universal (countrywide) standards and then have representatives that have actual experience in the classroom make the laws and be open to the input of teachers who are currently in the classroom."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 7 | I believe that no university (to my knowledge) gives students enough in-the-classroom experience. I feel like as a teacher the most valuable experience you can get is the experience you obtain observing and teaching in the classroom. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 4 | The only ways to get promoted within the field are to go back to school and obtain your Masters. You can do this and become an administrator, however, a teacher is a teacher. |
| Job Security | 4 | Tenure is our only real job security. Right now I am a 2nd year (probationary) teacher, and I will not obtain tenure until my 5th year is complete. |
| Earnings Potential | 3 | I work in a small school district. My earnings potential is probably lower than it would be at most other places. |
| How Stressful | 9 | There are never enough hours in the day or school year to teach and master all the skills that 'should' be taught for any given grade level. Also, you are dealing with an abundance of people (from administration to parents) telling you how to run your room and treat your children when no one knows the group as well as you. |
| Task Variety | 7 | I try to keep from falling into a "rut" to keep my students engaged. I am not able to do this on a daily basis, however I do try to switch things up at least weekly. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 9 | What other job can you be goofy to get your point across to your "crowd" and be loved? Making sure students are understanding your curriculum and seeing them succeed to the best of their own personal ability is "cool" and rewarding! |
| Career Flexibility | 1 | I say inflexible because we must be there during school hours and are unable to leave. When the students are there, we must be with them at all times. |
| Social Orientation | 4 | Our school was built in the old 60s/70s "Pod" style where each grade is in its own area of the school. There is little to no interaction with anyone outside of your grade level. |
Job Title: 4th Grade Gifted Teacher
Attended: University Of Phoenix • Phoenix, AZ
Studied Curriculum And Instruction (completion in 2003)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/20/2012
"I really enjoy working with gifted students, but there is a lot of extra responsibilities involved, including dealing with demanding parents. Gifted students keep me on my toes and I never know what the day will bring, hence the rating of a seven."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Opportunity for Promotion | 8 | There are always advancement opportunities in my district. I may need to obtain a new certification to advance, but the district offers professional development to help me achieve my goals. |
| Job Security | 8 | I have been teaching in the district for six years and have a total of 12 years of experience. Between my experience level and degrees, I feel certain that I will not be riffed from my position. |
| Earnings Potential | 4 | Teachers are still very underpaid for the amount of work they do. I would earn more if I moved into an administrative position, but not if I stay a classroom teacher. |
| How Stressful | 8 | Being a gifted teacher can be very stressful. I not only have to educate these children, but I also have to provide support to parents and complete all the district responsibilities. |
| Task Variety | 10 | Every day is different in the classroom. This is part of what makes my job exciting. I can plan for a specific lesson or task, but I never know where the students' questions will take us. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 6 | I guess this depends on how someone feels about his or her education experience. Some of my students think being a teacher is very cool, but others would never want to step foot in a classroom again. My friends and family respect my job, but I don't know that they think it is cool. |
| Career Flexibility | 2 | There is not a lot of flexibility in my job. I am in the classroom seven hours a day with students and spend an hour on preparation. There is no possibility of part-time or telecommuting with this job. |
| Social Orientation | 4 | There is a lot of autonomy in being a gifted teacher. I spend a lot of time with children, but not much time socializing with adults. |
Job Title: Substitute Teacher
Attended: Grand Valley State University • Traverse City, MI
Studied Group Social Studies (completion in 2011)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/22/2012
"I am very satisfied with my choice of career, but because I graduated in December, it is difficult to find full time employment. I am, therefore, substitute teaching for the remainder of this school year, and hoping to find a full-time position for the next school year."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 9 | We received a fairly rigorous education, and GVSU seems to have demanding standards which I think is appropriate for future education. Despite that, I wish that practicum had begun earlier; it was the most valuable aspect of my education. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | This is difficult to respond to because I do not yet have full time employment. Promotion in the teaching field is different than in many business settings. I believe I have good opportunities to lead committees, teams, etc., but do not aspire to work in administration. |
| Job Security | 3 | Because of the weak economy in Michigan, I am not sure I will be able to find a full time job for the next school year. Even some new teachers I know are concerned that declining student enrollment may affect their jobs next year. |
| Earnings Potential | 5 | The pay for a starting teacher today, in my region, is less than I made 18 years ago after leaving an 8 year career in insurance. However, despite recent legislation in our state which affects retirement and other benefits, if one remains in this job field for many years, there is decent pay. |
| How Stressful | 10 | I don't think I knew the level of stress that teaching would entail until my final semester of college, during which I student taught. Teachers are subject to expectations from students, parents of students, administrators, community members and state and local officials. Teachers also often have very high standards for their own performance which can be stressful to live up to. |
| Task Variety | 8 | Though there are generally schedules and routines during school days, there are also many variations. Student behavior, special events, and changing topics of study bring variety. Additionally, aside from required outcomes, a teacher has a great deal of influence over how routine or how varied the day to day tasks are in the class. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | I think teaching is respected, but I do not think it is perceived as exciting, glamorous or prestigious in the US. I believe in some other nations that teachers are given more respect. Having said that, I think there are always a few teachers in each school that are considered "cool" by students or peers. |
| Career Flexibility | 5 | Teaching is predominately a school day position, but there are opportunities for teaching at tutoring centers or as a private tutor. Teaching also entails hours outside of the traditional workday, for conference, planning, grading, etc. |
| Social Orientation | 5 | There is an opportunity for dynamic "professional learning communities" within schools and districts, but often the other more pressing day to day demands of the job interfere with the chance to interact with other teachers. When a district places an emphasis on a team approach, these opportunities can be very beneficial. I have found more seasoned teachers to be extremely helpful. |
Job Title: Classroom Teacher
Attended: Colby College • Waterville, ME
Studied Sociology (completion in 2003)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/20/2012
"There is a increase in students with no motivation or desire to learn. This being said, they are usually from households with caregivers that have no motivation or desire to make them behave in school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 7 | There are some dedicated staff members who work to provide a great education for students. However, there are some older staff members who don't seem to care about their job except to collect a paycheck. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 1 | There is really no upward movement in a teacher's career unless you want to apply for an administrative (principal) position. |
| Job Security | 5 | Increased cuts are being made in the field of education. School districts are finding ways to pay for fewer teachers. |
| Earnings Potential | 3 | I get a set salary. However, there are union dues as well as the cost of insurance. My pay is based on what the school district has voted to give. If they vote down a pay increase or freeze a budget then I don't get a higher salary. This is not a job for those who want to make the big bucks. |
| How Stressful | 4 | There are some days when the stress adds up due to student behavior. However, the school day and year is so scheduled that any upcoming events are known in advance and therefore eliminate stressful situations. |
| Task Variety | 5 | While we follow a daily schedule, the tasks that we work on change throughout the year. As students progress we move onto different activities. The school year also brings about new sports and other enrichment activities as the school year progresses. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 3 | There is nothing really that cool about a standard Maine school. |
| Career Flexibility | 5 | Having school vacations off gives me some flexibility to work outside of school. However, besides that I am pretty tied to being at my place of work when school is in session and I don't get paid to do work at home. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | As a teacher you are always interacting with students. You are also in constant communication with other teachers and staff members in the building, so there is a lot of social interaction. |
Job Title: Substitute Teacher
Attended: The College Of St. Rose • Albany, NY
Studied Elementary Education (completion in 2008)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/20/2012
"I am loving every day I spend working with students. I am disappointed that there are no full time teaching jobs available in my area."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | Small class size makes a huge difference while completing your degree and St. Rose definitely offers that. St. Rose provides the best professors who are still active in their fields. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | I hope to make an impact on the administrators who will then hire me. I know it is a matter of being in the right place at the right time. |
| Job Security | 1 | I substitute teach and I never know where or when I will work. There are many people vying for the same position. |
| Earnings Potential | 10 | Full time teachers get paid very well in NY. I believe the retirement program is also very good. |
| How Stressful | 6 | It can be stressful walking into the classroom for the first time. It can also be stressful having parents complain. |
| Task Variety | 10 | I love how everyday is different because everyday you are reacting to the circumstances around you. I love the idea of being a flexible thinker. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 10 | I love working with kids. I enjoy learning all the new trends. |
| Career Flexibility | 10 | I work at a variety of locations. I work full or half days and I often stay later if asked. |
| Social Orientation | 8 | Many schools have co-teaching situations. Teachers seem to like socializing with their co-workers. I have attended some of these events, too. |
Job Title: 2nd Grade Teacher
Attended: University Of Texas @ Arlington • Arlington, TX
Studied Education EC-4 (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/20/2012
"I love teaching. I could do without all the paperwork!"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | I think this field is not like others. If you want to get promoted you have to get certified for the next level that you are going for (reading specialist, principal, etc)... it is not just based on you being a good "employee." |
| Job Security | 3 | The state of Texas had major budget cuts last year. I am not sure what will happen this year with the budget, therefore anyone can lose their job. |
| Earnings Potential | 6 | I think teachers start off with a decent salary, although it doesn't seem to be enough for the time we put in. Again, this is not like other jobs where your performance gets you higher raises. The budget controls that for us. |
| How Stressful | 8 | I think this job holds a lot of responsibility that can create stress. At the end of the day you really want all your students to succeed and sometimes that alone can be stressful. |
| Task Variety | 8 | The day-to-day tasks are technically the same (lesson plans, etc). My students, however, are unique everyday, making it feel like everyday is something new! |
| How Cool Is The Career | 9 | To little kids, teachers are cool! I think educating the youth is very cool. |
| Career Flexibility | 4 | It is flexible as far as having holidays and summer vacation. It is not flexible as the hours are the same everyday and this is not a job that you can be late or miss days as you have children waiting for you. |
| Social Orientation | 7 | The majority of the day I am with my students, so there is not much social interaction with other teachers. I put a 7 because we do have social interaction in team meetings, etc. |
Job Title: Elementary Mathematics Teacher
Attended: Concordia University Chicago • River Forest, IL
Studied Elementary Education (completion in 2010)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/22/2012
"I love working with kids, so I love my job. However, though my salary is very generous, I had hoped to find work in a more urban environment where I could have a greater impact in the lives of the children whose futures I help to mold."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 9 | The internship programs and the opportunities that were available at CUC were created around the idea that you should know before you hit your senior year that this is in fact the career path that you want to take. It was nice to be able to go into the field and actually create lesson plans and have the true classroom experience before going through all three years of school, which is typical of most other programs, before having any classroom time. Although I knew that teaching elementary students was what I wanted to do, it was still nice to find out exactly what that entailed before finishing my degree. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 10 | With budgets constantly being cut, and tenured colleagues heading out the door, I believe that my position is very safe and not only that, but also the opportunities to rise, not just in a seniority sense, but also in the availability to work with other age groups, continue my education, and work towards an administrative position is very secure. |
| Job Security | 9 | I have a lot of opportunity at the school I teach at. Being a double major in Elementary Education and Music Education, with the music program all but eliminated at the school I work with, it allows me to have, not only better opportunities career wise, but also the freedom to create new experiences and skills for the children that I work with. |
| Earnings Potential | 5 | I have a very generous salary for my position, for which I am very grateful. I would love to pay off my student loans in the next few years, but with the rent in my area and the cost of living, it just isn't a very real possibility. |
| How Stressful | 7 | I teach the 2nd grade. I believe it is the perfect grade to teach because they can already read, but they are not at the age, yet, when they believe that they know more than you do. |
| Task Variety | 10 | No two days are ever the same when you are working with children. They are constantly a pleasant surprise and almost always they ask you a question that you could never have anticipated. In my experience, you can create a lesson 'plan,' but they always turn out to be lesson 'guidelines.' |
| How Cool Is The Career | 10 | The reason I became a teacher is based on something I used to say a lot when I was a child. Teaching is like the best part of parenting: you get to not only teach kids, but you get to watch them play and laugh and interact with friends. But at the end of the day, when they are tired, cranky or jacked up on sugar, you get to send them home to their parents! |
| Career Flexibility | 10 | Education is necessary everywhere, not only in a philosophical sense, but also legally. Every child must be provided a government funded education. I believe if I wanted to leave and experience a new area I easily could, but I am happy with where I am now. |
| Social Orientation | 4 | When you spend your day with eight year olds, it does become a little difficult to go out with friends. You tend to start to think and talk like they do, which tends to confuse adults when you say that this or that politician is a "doo doo head." |
Job Title: 5th Grade Teacher
Attended: Syracuse University • Syracuse, NY
Studied Library Science (completion in 2008)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/21/2012
"I love my job and my students. However, working under my current administration can be very trying at times. Teaching is a difficult and often thankless job. It's made that much more difficult when even the Principal and Assistant Principal don't value the faculty and staff."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 7 | Syracuse has a great reputation as far as the Library Science program is concerned. The faculty are all tops in their fields. However, I did not think that it was a perfect experience. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | There are no opportunities unless one goes back to get an advanced degree in administration. Even with the degree, you'd still have to want to be an administrator and I don't know many who would want that job. |
| Job Security | 8 | I have been in the same school for 11 years. My district has a "last in, first out" policy in place, so I should have job security. |
| Earnings Potential | 7 | Teaching is certainly not known for its earning potential but we make a living wage. Plus, more education and experience equals more money. |
| How Stressful | 7 | Teachers are under attack these days and it's very stressful to be in the classroom. Pressure from the high stakes testing aside, dealing with children and their parents all day can be very trying. |
| Task Variety | 7 | It's not that the tasks vary day to day so much. It's more that the children can change the dynamic in the room in a matter of minutes. Having one "key player" in the room be absent for a day can make all the difference in the world! |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | Teaching is not a glamorous position and, these days, we are under attack from the media. Luckily, most teachers don't choose the profession for the prestige. |
| Career Flexibility | 3 | My job has a lot of perks but it is not flexible. The school hours are fixed every day. You cannot work at home and there is no part-time work. However, I could move anywhere and find a teaching job. |
| Social Orientation | 3 | 90% of my day is spent being the sole adult in a room full of children. I am able to interact with other adults before and after school and during the lunch period. |
Job Title: 5th Grade Teacher
Attended: University Of Michigan • Dearborn, MI
Studied Elementary Education (completion in 2007)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/22/2012
"The school I work for is very limited in terms of advancement and personal development."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | I have been at this school for 4 years and have not been promoted and have not received significant pay increases. |
| Job Security | 7 | Since it is a private school, there is a bit more job security than there is working in a public school. |
| Earnings Potential | 7 | If you go back to school to obtain your master's degree, the potential for making a decent living is there. However, the challenge is finding a school district that will hire you with a master's degree and pay you what you are worth. It is a difficult accomplishment at times due to the cuts in districts today. |
| How Stressful | 7 | I feel at times teaching can be stressful. Dealing with parents can be very stressful, as is dealing with students with behavior problems or learning disabilities. As a teacher, you are constantly pressured to teach to the correct state standards and ensure that your students are learning to the very best of their abilities. |
| Task Variety | 8 | Every day brings about new challenges, opportunities, and outcomes from your students. You are always teaching new topics and exploring new ways of sharing your knowledge with your students. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 3 | People think that teaching is glamorous because you get so much time off. Reality is, you are usually working during that time off or looking for other work to supplement the lack of income you receive. It is difficult working with children on a daily basis as well as dealing with parents. There are many other responsibilities to teaching than just showing up to a classroom everyday. |
| Career Flexibility | 4 | There is limited flexibility. They do not hire substitute teachers so taking time off is difficult. Other teachers have to cover their classes and your classes for you if you need to take time off. Part-time or job sharing is not an option. |
| Social Orientation | 5 | In this job you are mostly socializing with other teachers, parents, and students. There are benefits to socializing with fellow teachers such as learning new information or techniques about your teaching strategies. |
Job Title: Social Science Educator
Attended: DePaul University • Chicago, IL
Studied Elementary Education (completion in 2005)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/23/2012
"While I enjoy working with kids, often times it is difficult to work with parents and administration. I do not always feel that the idealistic reasons for which I entered teaching are being addressed."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 5 | The courses at DePaul were useful, however, classroom application was lacking. Also, some of teachers seemed tired and unengaged. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 2 | Promotion is difficult. The only real method is to join administration, which requires additional coursework. |
| Job Security | 5 | I am not tenured. In this current educational climate where even tenure is being attacked, I believe that no one can feel completely secure in their position. |
| Earnings Potential | 3 | Until you become a "lifer," which is becoming more rare, it is hard to earn a great deal of money. I am sure that I have the ability to earn more outside of the classroom. |
| How Stressful | 7 | We are being asked to do more and more. There are constantly state tests looming, among other things. It is a struggle. |
| Task Variety | 5 | I like to use the roadmap that I have laid in previous years. However, within that roadmap, I look for ways to spice things up. Beyond that there are the daily tasks of attendance and grades, but that is all a part of teaching. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 2 | The pay for teachers is lousy considering the work we are asked to do. Every successful person can point back to teachers who have influenced them, but we are not rewarded for being a part of the backbone of this society. |
| Career Flexibility | 5 | There are position openings but they are competitive. The ability to work at home or another educational space would require not teaching anymore. |
| Social Orientation | 8 | If not for the comfort of other teachers, we would all go crazy. Outside of teaching, you are able to come into contact with parents who are from all walks of life. |
Job Title: Elementary Music Teacher
Attended: Arkansas Tech University • Russellville, AR
Studied Music Education (completion in 2005)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/20/2012
"I've just found that I chose a career path that does not best suit me. Colleges should put students in the field earlier than they do. I didn't go into a school setting until my 3rd year in college."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | Arkansas Tech University has a great music program. It's considered one of the best in my region. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | I could get a promotion if I choose to go back to school and further my education. I, personally, have no desire to become an administrator. |
| Job Security | 10 | I'm no longer a probationary teacher. I feel that teachers are offered a little security because public education isn't going anywhere. |
| Earnings Potential | 3 | The district I teach at pays one of the highest teacher salaries in the state. However, there are plenty of other careers that do NOT require a bachelor's degree where people make more money. |
| How Stressful | 10 | Teachers make more decisions in a day than a brain surgeon. That alone is stressful enough, but so many children come from a bad home life. |
| Task Variety | 1 | The day to day tasks are pretty much the same. Students strive on routine so it's important to keep things pretty consistent. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | Some people look up to teachers. In my town many businesses offer discounts to teachers. |
| Career Flexibility | 1 | As a teacher, I'm pretty much stuck in the classroom. There's no way that I could work from home! |
| Social Orientation | 8 | There's constant interaction whether it be with other teachers, students, or parents. It's not always the interaction you want or look forward to, but it's interaction nonetheless. |
Job Title: Grade 3 Classroom Teacher
Attended: University Of Connecticut • Storrs, CT
Studied Educational Psychology (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/22/2012
"I have found it to be fulfilling and challenging to date. I am ready for a new challenge, however, which has made me a little less satisfied than I was a year or so ago. My school has been a good place to work for the last 11 years, but I am looking for a position elsewhere where I can broaden my experience and abilities."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 9 | I found the program I attended at the University of Connecticut to be both challenging and enjoyable. My classmates and professors were excellent and I was able to implement my new learning and assignments at my current job. It has made me a better teacher. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 2 | My school system has only 1 school in a small town. There are practically no opportunities to move or be promoted other than going to administration, which I have no interest in and for which we have only a few positions. My job as a teacher there has little connection to being hired as an administrator even if I was interested. |
| Job Security | 10 | I have 11 years experience there and there have been many teachers hired after I was. That gives me a lot of seniority. I also have tenure. |
| Earnings Potential | 6 | I think compared to many people working jobs that pay less, it provides me with a sufficient earning potential, that will increase somewhat. However, for the amount of work I do, I feel the pay is low. We have also had several pay freezes which has caused me to make about $7,000 a year less than I would without those freezes, which adds up in the long run. |
| How Stressful | 7 | There are an increasing number of responsibilities being put on teachers, without modifications in pay or flexibility for the extra time those responsibilities take. My school continues to have teachers do jobs like writing curriculum for free that we used to pay people to do. |
| Task Variety | 7 | While many of the day to day tasks are the same, the way they go varies from day to day, and there is some variety to our schedule with frequent changes and special events. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 7 | I think being an elementary teacher carries some excitement. In my area we are more than likely somewhat respected by the community. I am treated with respect in the town in which I teach. |
| Career Flexibility | 3 | I can do some work from home and on weekends as I chose. I can not work part time, or change locations or options as there are no other locations or options to chose from. |
| Social Orientation | 5 | There is some social interaction with a limited amount of adults. There is more social interaction with children than adults. |
Job Title: Teacher
Attended: Florida International University • Miami, FL
Studied Special Education (completion in 2011)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/20/2012
"Being a school teacher is something I have always had a desire to be since I was a child. I love to teach children and make a difference in their lives."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 8 | There are only 2 schools within a 50 mile radius that offer my degree at a reasonable price. I was fortunate to find knowledgeable teachers and administrators to help me get my degree. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 7 | Most teachers need a master's degree to get more pay and a promotion. It's very hard for many of us to sometimes find the money and time to invest in higher education. |
| Job Security | 7 | The state of Florida treats their teachers very poorly. The pay is low and the lay offs remain high. This sometimes makes me speculate if teaching is a secure career for me. |
| Earnings Potential | 1 | Teachers are amongst the lowest paid. Thank God, I'm not doing this for the money. |
| How Stressful | 1 | I find joy in teaching. Sometimes i feel like I have 80+ children who I have to raise, but I find pleasure in them looking up to me. |
| Task Variety | 10 | Every day is a new day, that brings new problems. My lesson plans keep me on track of the things I need to get done, just in case I veer off track. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 10 | My students keep me up to date with all the latest lingo and electronics. These days cool is my middle name. |
| Career Flexibility | 9 | As a teacher I enjoy the benefits of having the summer off and a few holidays, not to mention the teacher work days and the long spring and winter breaks. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | While at work I'm constantly building a rapport with other teachers, parents, and union workers. I find myself making new friends every school year. |
Job Title: 5th Grade Teacher
Attended: University Of Evansville • Evansville, IN
Studied Elementary Education (completion in 1993)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/22/2012
"I love teaching, creating curricula, and helping children. I hate the politics of teaching and the fact that politicians who have never worked in a school are mandating what gets done and how it gets done."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 8 | It is hard for me to judge the current program, because it has been so long since I attended school. When I was there, the program was a little ahead of it's time with what it prepared us to do (integrate curriculum, progress monitor students, etc.) |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 2 | Unless you get a higher degree and want to become an administrator, there really aren't any promotion opportunities for teachers. However, you can take on additional duties (grade level leader, Science coordinator, etc.). Sometimes these come with a stipend, and they always make you look more valuable to your boss. |
| Job Security | 9 | I feel secure in my job. Even with the changes they are making to the evaluation system, I feel like I do a good job and that my job is secure. |
| Earnings Potential | 5 | Even though I think teachers should make more money, we don't make awful money. Considering the fact we work 192 days a year, our salary is a little above average. |
| How Stressful | 10 | With the push to raise student achievement, working at an inner city school is extremely stressful. In addition, we deal with social issues that can be scary and stressful. |
| Task Variety | 8 | Even though you are working with the same kids and teaching the same subjects, no two days are alike. In addition, each day brings new things to do, changes to the schedule, etc. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | I think being a teacher is "cool." It's not like being a rock star is cool, but it has a lot of benefits. |
| Career Flexibility | 5 | I think teaching can be flexible. Some districts offer shared contracts/part time positions. You have summers and holidays off. Your contract hours are from 8:00-3:30. Almost no teacher works that, but it does allow you to make appointments in the afternoons without having to use sick time. There are jobs in every state for teachers, although right now the market is a little tough to break into. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | Teaching is all about social interactions. Of course, most of my social interaction is with 10 and 11 year olds, but I have to interact with other teachers on a daily basis. |
Job Title: Program Specialist - Literacy Lab
Attended: University Of Houston • Houston, TX
Studied English (completion in 2013)
Highest relevant degree: Associate's
• Submitted: 1/25/2012
"I am an accidental educator. I work with elementary school children with learning deficiencies but I would prefer a position in another field."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Opportunity for Promotion | 2 | I will not get promoted until I complete my undergraduate degree. I would like to move into another field. |
| Job Security | 3 | There are periods when the center at which I work is closed for long periods of time. As an hourly employee, I find that frustrating. |
| Earnings Potential | 1 | I am an hourly employee, so when I don't work, I'm not paid. I would prefer a full-time position with full benefits. |
| How Stressful | 8 | It's stressful to see children not getting the educational tools they need. It's also frustrating to focus solely on improving test scores. |
| Task Variety | 4 | The curriculum is set so our classes do not vary. Children work on a specific program geared at improving reading comprehension. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 4 | I think that teachers and other education professionals are often overlooked. This job is not the least bit glamorous. |
| Career Flexibility | 5 | Since class is held during certain times, it is necessary to be present during instruction time. There are no opportunities to work from other locations. |
| Social Orientation | 9 | In general, I get along quite well with my coworkers. Since the staff is so small, we're a pretty close knit group. |
Job Title: 1st Grade Teacher
Attended: Molloy College • Rockville Centre, NY
Studied Elementary Education (completion in 2007)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/24/2012
"I love working with children and being able to watch how they develop over the year. However, I wish there was more money available in my field because if my husband did not work, it would be hard to live off my salary alone."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | There are few opportunities to get promoted, except for getting tenure which, in my district, comes with a small pay raise. |
| Job Security | 10 | I am tenured but other teachers in my field are often excessed because of district budget cuts. |
| Earnings Potential | 5 | It is not a minimum wage job, but due to tight budgets, I will never be able to make more than $60,000. |
| How Stressful | 8 | It gives me stress because I am responsible for educating children in some of their most important years and if they fail to learn basic principles, it will be hard for them to continue in the future. However, I have learned to accept that some students are more gifted than others and there will always be some who fall a little short. |
| Task Variety | 10 | My motto in class is “Everyday is a new adventure,” and it truly is. Each day there is new material to be covered and new "worlds" for kids to explore. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | Being a teacher has nowhere near the coolness of a rock star, but I get satisfaction from watching children learn, so that is why I love it. |
| Career Flexibility | 4 | You must be in the classroom everyday and there is never the ability to work from home, but there are jobs all across the country |
| Social Orientation | 9 | There are many other adults to socialize with in my school, however the people I interact most with are children which is a slight drawback. |
Job Title: Teacher
Attended: Gardner-Webb University • Boiling Springs, NC
Studied Intermediate Education With Minors In Language Arts And Science (completion in 1980)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/25/2012
"The last couple of years have been filled with the pressure with testing. Several new programs have been tried."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 5 | I feel that I received a good education. But it is impossible to know what it is like in the real world of teaching until you have experienced it. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 1 | Since I do not have a Master's degree, it will not happen. I have served as team leader for a couple of years, but that is not really a promotion. |
| Job Security | 8 | My district has laid off teachers according to seniority. So I feel pretty secure about my job. |
| Earnings Potential | 5 | Teachers do not get paid enough for all that we do. But since I am in the south, it pays better than lots of jobs. |
| How Stressful | 10 | I think teaching is one of the most stressful occupations that a person can have. All the stress associated with testing is most of the cause. |
| Task Variety | 6 | Even though you are teaching the same subjects, things can be different every day. You must learn to adjust. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 4 | Teaching today is not really considered cool. But it does excite you when a student says they want to teach when they grow up. |
| Career Flexibility | 1 | It is impossible to work at home while teaching. Also, you really follow the schedule of the district. |
| Social Orientation | 7 | As a teacher you interact with coworkers, parents, and other people in the community. We interact more than we did when I first began teaching. |
Job Title: Guest Teacher
Attended: University Of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI
Studied English, Language, And Literature (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/25/2012
"I love teaching. I get to spend every day in a new Elementary classroom. The kids are amazing. We read stories out loud and they show me the stories they have written, and some of them are simply wonderful."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | U of M is a wonderful school. The SOE is rated highly among schools of education. The faculty is knowledgeable and the placements are amazing. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | There will not be very many opportunities once I am certified, but when I earn my Master's and certification I will earn more money. Therefore I think there are some opportunities. |
| Job Security | 5 | As a guest teacher I don't have tenure, but I work everyday. At this point in my life that is about average, so I am not complaining. |
| Earnings Potential | 3 | Teachers are not paid enough and subs are paid less. But the earning potential is not why you go into teaching. |
| How Stressful | 8 | There are many standards and rubrics one must follow when teaching. As a sub the standards are slightly less strict, but because I want to do right by the kids I teach, it can still be very stressful. |
| Task Variety | 10 | Every day is a new day. The kids always come to class with new stories and the things they say are almost always hilarious. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 10 | I love teaching. It is exciting every day. The kids are amazing. At what other job can you read stories and have recess every day? |
| Career Flexibility | 5 | One thing I love about substitute teaching is that I don't have to work every day if I don't want to. The flexibility isn't about working from home, but I can choose how many hours I get by accepting or rejecting jobs. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | There is constant interaction with students, but I do not know very many other subs. I do make friends with some of the teachers I sub for though. |
Job Title: Elementary School Teacher
Attended: Boston College • Boston, MA
Studied Elementary Education (completion in 2004)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/26/2012
"I am satisfied with my career overall. I work in a public school system so the children can be relatively rowdy at times. I enjoy the challenge, however, and I like educating young minds."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 7 | I gave Boston College a seven on the rating for their elementary education program. The program is very challenging and prepared me well for my career. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 4 | Teaching at the elementary school level does not provide for many career advancement opportunities. The fact that the field is so crowded makes advancement difficult. |
| Job Security | 2 | My job is relatively insecure right now. The state in which I work (Connecticut) is cutting state jobs and I am at risk for not having been working in the field very long. |
| Earnings Potential | 7 | My career provides a good salary. While one hardly lives glamorously as a teacher, they can carve out a decent living. |
| How Stressful | 8 | Working with children can be at times very stressful, particularity working in the inner city with at risk children. |
| Task Variety | 1 | As a teacher, daily tasks never vary. The schedule is repetitive and monotonous. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 4 | I would consider teaching to be relatively "uncool." There is not much money to be made in the profession so it's not very glamorous or prestigious. |
| Career Flexibility | 7 | Teaching is a very flexible career field. As a teacher, I work only seven hours a day and have the summer off. This time provides space to pursue other interests and make money at other jobs. |
| Social Orientation | 9 | My career as a teacher provides for ample social interaction. The staff at my facility consists of over 100 adults, so there is plenty of social interaction. |
Job Title: Primary School Teacher
Attended: University Of Wisconsin-River Falls • River Falls, WI
Studied Elementary Education/English Minor (completion in 2011)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/24/2012
"Teaching provides a unique opportunity to directly impact the knowledge of a student, and help them to view their world in unique ways. From both a humanistic/social perspective as well as my own perspective, working with children in this fashion has been very rewarding thus far."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 7 | The program at UWRF offers many hands-on opportunities in classrooms in the advanced classes, with even the basic/lower-level classes offering similar opportunities in the way of projects simulating assignments a teacher gives in a real class setting. My only qualms with the program would be the inefficiency of scheduling for classes (primarily run through one person in administration, resulting in backups and miscommunications at times) and in the difficulty of student-teaching placements to a convenient location for me. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 4 | In terms of pay, salary is determined based on seniority and number of years spent teaching. As such, promotion opportunities are there within the district, should I stick here. I am also free to browse for other jobs while under the three-year evaluation period, so the flexibility to move on is still available. |
| Job Security | 2 | As a first-year teacher, my job security is contingent on whether administration renews my contract on a yearly basis for the first three years. As such, the pressure to perform is a bit much currently, with a longer-term payoff of security being a great motivator. |
| Earnings Potential | 3 | At best, teachers make a pretty low base salary, with the benefits entailed in contracts helping balance this out. The earning potential is not great, but as it is based on seniority and performance, the potential is at least tangible and consistent enough to be satisfied with the progress. |
| How Stressful | 8 | The lack of (current) job security, combined with the long-ish hours spent grading and drafting assignments, contribute to my rating. It is my hope that experience will make the out-of-class processes much less time-consuming, which is a primary concern now. |
| Task Variety | 10 | Individual classes may have activities based on routine (math drills, daily oral language), but the experience is ever-changing because it deals directly with incorporating a child's human experience into static facts. The variety of this often makes mundane tasks branch off in a whole different direction than what was once intended, making for a unique experience each day, even with very well-planned activities. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 2 | There isn't much glamorous about public school teaching, to be honest. You have to truly have a passion for teaching and working with children to survive this environment, which make the hours and pay worthwhile. |
| Career Flexibility | 4 | The schedule of a teacher in a standard 8-3 school does not allow for much flexibility within a rigid class structure, but these opportunities differ depending on the type of school (internet school, public vs. private, etc.). I feel like the current schedule allows for adequate time between teaching and planning out lessons during the day, which is satisfactory for me. |
| Social Orientation | 8 | Collaboration is a must in my district, as teachers work together in class/grade pods to draft assignments and bounce ideas off of each other on an almost a daily basis. I feel like administration helped incorporate me into this system very smoothly, and that the general attitude towards me arriving was one of patience and cooperation, in terms of getting me up to speed and keeping me in the loop with the other more experienced teachers. |
Job Title: Teacher
Attended: Carroll College (Carroll University) • Waukesha, WI
Studied Curriculum & Instruction (completion in 2003)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/26/2012
"Over the years, I've become less interested in teaching due to political red tape that prevents teachers from 'just teaching' and a growing lack of parental support. I still enjoy the act of teaching, just not the obstacles outside the classroom which need to be overcome."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 6 | I don't feel that the program was focused enough on relevant curriculum & instruction. There were always an array of different educators in my classes, and some weren't even school teachers. Some were instructors for businesses. The program did do a good job of guiding students through the thesis writing process though. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 1 | Teachers don't get promoted - they apply for different positions within their own school or district. That's another sad thing. Because of unions, everyone is treated equally even though many do soooo much more than others. |
| Job Security | 5 | Most people think that a teacher's job security is very good once tenure is achieved. However, I've witnessed how that is NOT the case. In the Milwaukee Public School district, many teachers were laid off in the summer of 2010. A good number of these teachers had tenure, some with up to 9 years of teaching experience in the district. Anyway, hundreds of teachers got laid off because MPS had over hired for so many years. Once all of the dust settled, over 200 of the teachers that were initially laid off were reshuffled back into the district. So, none of them got to go back tho the school that they were originally laid off from. It upset many school communities and was a very sad situation. I suppose the security is better in smaller districts though. |
| Earnings Potential | 6 | Again, this depends on where you teach. MPS pays very well at this point in time. A veteran teacher in MPS has very promising earnings potential. However, with all of the turmoil going on in the state of WI relating to pensions and health care, that could change for newer teachers in the district. I have a friend who was laid off from MPS and now works for a private parochial school. After working in MPS for four years, her salary was nearly $40,000. Now she makes under $30,000 and knows of a teacher at her school who has been there for over twenty years and still makes less than $50,000. Right now, if a teacher spends his or her entire career in MPS, they can expect to earn around $80,000 per year by the time they retire. |
| How Stressful | 10 | The answer to this question depends on how dedicated you are. If you're a highly dedicated teacher, then the stress level can be extremely high at times. Beginning a new school year with new students can be daunting when the last group you worked with had grown so much by the end of the year. This also depends on the type of school and parental support your students have as well. I've only taught in an urban area, so I would imagine that different things are stressful depending on what type of students you work with. |
| Task Variety | 5 | This varies depending on the grade and subject(s) you teach. I'll speak about a traditional elementary school classroom. Naturally, there are some consistent activities that take place in a classroom each day. Also, the same subjects must be taught daily. The content matter may change though as new skills are introduced and various projects are worked on throughout the year. After teaching a particular grade for a few years, it can become a bit monotonous at times. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | I don't think being a teacher is "cool" but I do think that there is some celebrity involved when you see your students out in public! When you tell someone that you're a teacher, they generally associate a lot of virtuous qualities with you, so I guess that is sort of cool. |
| Career Flexibility | 9 | The hours are good - first shift, major holidays, & much of the summer off. When working, though, a dedicated teacher may put in 9 to 10 hour days during the week and then will need to take work home in the evenings and over the weekend as well. Most work needs to be done in the classroom, but there is a large amount of work that can be done from home. I imagine that it is fairly easy for a teacher to find a new job just about anywhere. However, they may need to get additional licensing or take additional college credits depending on how far they relocate. There are many career options related to education within the school setting, at an administrative level, or even for educational publishers. |
| Social Orientation | 8 | This depends on what type of person you are. I know that at my school, there were weekly staff meetings, regular professional development opportunities, holiday get togethers, and various outings. No one was ever forced to participate, so the level of social interaction is based on personal preference. There were even district Brewer game outings every year. Of course, lunch in the lounge was also always a social option. |
Job Title: K-12 Educator
Attended: Chapman University • Victor Valley, CA
Studied Instructional Curriculum (completion in 2006)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/26/2012
"While being an educator can be difficult at times, I'm overall satisfied with my career. As a child I dreamed about becoming a teacher; now that I am an educator I can't see myself in any other career."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 8 | I have to admit I didn't really look at too many options for furthering my education. Chapman University seemed to be a popular choice among my colleagues, and it's in a convenient location. So it is quite possible that there are other universities that could offer much more depth to the courses. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | There aren't very many possibilities for advancement as an educator. With time you could eventually move into a school administration position, and eventually a district administration position. The best way to advance in education is to further your education to higher degrees. |
| Job Security | 7 | There are quite a few budget cuts threatening teaching positions in both my state and the country. However, I do not feel that my job is in any jeopardy as I am both tenured and hold a fair amount of seniority. |
| Earnings Potential | 7 | In my current area, I know that I'm better off than most. Teaching doesn't pay a glamorous amount but it does pay the bills. I know I'm better off than many people around me, and that I can earn more as I further my education. |
| How Stressful | 5 | Teaching can be stressful at times. When you have 30 plus young children to watch at any given moment, it can get to you. I feel that while the job can be stressful it is no more stressful than any other career. |
| Task Variety | 7 | There are many tasks that are repeated every day, even at the same time every day. Yet tasks can be different too. Everyday we have a different lesson and a different activity to help the children learn that lesson. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 2 | Most people, especially the younger generation, do not see teaching as a profession that is 'cool.' While it may not be glamorous, teaching is a very fulfilling career. |
| Career Flexibility | 1 | There is next to no flexibility when it comes to being an educator. Nonetheless, the set hours and vacation times do come in handy for making plans. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | There is a lot of social interaction as an educator. You have children to interact with all day, as well as parents at the start and end of the day. You also have conferences and meetings with fellow teachers and school administrators. |
Job Title: Elementary School Teacher
Attended: Chapman University • Orange, CA
Studied Teaching (completion in 2011)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/25/2012
"I love to teach, but with the recent issues with California's economic state and restrictions placed on classroom teachers, I no longer feel that I have been able to teach. I am a number. I am a warm body in a square room. I don't get to use my imagination and passions for teaching to children. I am being punished for gaining a higher education because the school districts do not want to pay me for it. Therefore, I am replaced by new teachers who can be payed at a lower pay scale. It's not about the children anymore - it's about the money."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 4 | I work at a charter school, but we are still required to work under the umbrella of the school district's guidelines of state required tests and requirements. There is no room for inventive teaching. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 2 | If I get promoted, I will move higher on the pay scale, and therefore will be overlooked because the budget does not allow for it. |
| Job Security | 1 | As California goes further into debt, politicians feel that removing money from schools is the first course of action to take. Therefore, I will not be employed much longer. |
| Earnings Potential | 1 | Teachers are not paid close to what they are worth. Long hours, lots of out-of-pocket expenses, and no expense accounts. We do it because we love our students, not because of the money we get in return, but it would be nice to be recognized as a professional and receive professional grade pay. |
| How Stressful | 10 | Low pay, demanding and long hours. That pretty much sums it up. |
| Task Variety | 10 | There is always something new happening. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 1 | Being a teacher is a tough job. The respect is not there like it was many years ago. Teachers are paid low wages for countless hours and are disrespected by many parents who do not feel they are doing a good enough job, regardless of the countless hours they spend on helping their children succeed. |
| Career Flexibility | 1 | A classroom teacher must adhere to the district's calendar. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | I'm a public school teacher. I am in constant contact with someone at all times. |
Job Title: Second Grade Teacher
Attended: SUNY Fredonia • Fredonia, NY
Studied Childhood Education (completion in 2007)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/28/2012
"I can't imagine working in any other profession. It is rewarding to know I'm making a difference in the development and education of children."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | The classes and teachers were excellent at SUNY Fredonia. What we learned was able to be put into practice. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 1 | I can change grade levels but without obtaining a degree as an extension or in administration, I can't be promoted. I am, however, in control of the education I seek, though changing tenure tracks is in itself a professional risk. |
| Job Security | 9 | At the moment, my job is secure through our Union. While we can't forecast the future of education in NYS, I trust that as long as I continue to be a high quality teacher, my job will be secure. |
| Earnings Potential | 6 | We have the opportunity to live comfortably. We won't make enough to make our school loans feel easy or to buy luxurious items, but we can make ends meet. |
| How Stressful | 8 | Of course there is a high level of stress in education. Our students suffer academically and some have to work much harder than others to achieve success. We counsel children with tough home lives and pray for those who have to suffer from sicknesses ranging from diabetes to cancer. |
| Task Variety | 4 | I teach in an elementary inclusion setting so there is a high level of routine scheduling. We vary the manner in which we deliver instruction and assess progress, but overall we try to make things predictable for our students. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 10 | I think it is very "cool" to be a teacher. My students love me like family, and I love them in the same respect. That is extraordinarily cool. Teachers are respected by those who understand what it is we do. |
| Career Flexibility | 9 | Teachers are needed in every city of every state in our country. I cannot work from home, though we always plan on our own time at home. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | We can say we are models for interaction. We speak professionally and with empathy. When we have conversations with colleagues, we do so both colloquially and professionally. We want to speak love, to show love and to model love so that our students can hopefully do the same. |
Job Title: Teacher
Attended: University Of Colorado • Denver, CO
Studied Reading And Writing (completion in 2008)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/30/2012
"I love working with children and watching them grow and learn. It is a tiring profession that involves a lot of work, including take home work."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | I loved my program. I believe it prepared me well to be a reading specialist. I plan on taking more classes at this college. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 1 | There are no opportunities for promotion. I would need to apply to a different job within the district- a district job. |
| Job Security | 10 | I have received positive reviews and feedback from my principal. I feel very secure in the position that I hold. |
| Earnings Potential | 4 | I don't make what another person holding a Master's degree would. And there is little room for advancement over the years. |
| How Stressful | 6 | My current school is pretty laid back. I have worked in other schools where the stress is high. |
| Task Variety | 10 | No two days are alike. The tasks change based on student progress and interest. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | There is no glamor in being a teacher. I do attain respect when I tell others that I am a teacher, though. |
| Career Flexibility | 5 | The days and times I need to work are set. I can take a day off, but that takes planning and is difficult as well. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | I hardly ever get a minute to myself. Students are constantly needing me and my prep times are consumed by meetings with administration and parents. |
Job Title: Regular Classroom Teacher - 4th/5th Grade
Attended: Grand Canyon University • Phoenix, AZ
Studied Curriculum And Instruction: Reading (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/28/2012
"I love being a teacher and teaching, even in the difficult inner city schools that I have taught in for 20 years. Unfortunately, the superintendent hired a principal based on age rather than experience, and this has my school saddled with an inept, inexperienced micro-manager."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 9 | I learned a lot from GCU. The program was challenging and pushed me to learn more. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 4 | There is the opportunity to apply for different positions, but a lot of hiring is based on who you know. There is also the problem that many positions get changed often and it would be easy to get a position one year, and have it eliminated the following year. |
| Job Security | 7 | In the past I've felt very secure in my job. However, the new principal actively works to try to get people suspended and in trouble. This is a scary situation. I am also worried about the new push in the Missouri Department of Education to get rid of tenure and base job security on student performance. This has to be done very carefully. I am in a situation where my students come in way too far below their grade level. I know I can't bring them up as high as their county peers. |
| Earnings Potential | 4 | My district seems to be at a standstill where salaries are concerned. From year to year we do not even know if we will have summer school opportunities. |
| How Stressful | 10 | The past 2 years have been years of constant worry at my building. We are afraid to breathe wrong, or we'll get "written up." As a group, we teachers feel as if we have given up real teaching and are doing a poor job because we have to live up to unreasonable and inappropriate demands. |
| Task Variety | 4 | As a teacher, a certain routine is expected. However, I do try to change things up to keep things interesting. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 2 | I spend my day trying to tame other people's children. Very uncool. |
| Career Flexibility | 2 | There is very little flexibility. In the last 6 years, there have not even been transfer lists to go from one school to the next. We have pretty much been stuck in the situation we are in. |
| Social Orientation | 4 | Teachers do get together during the summer and do some things, but it is not often. There is real mistrust in our building. |
Job Title: Teacher
Attended: University Of North Florida • Jacksonville, FL
Studied Education (completion in 2010)
Highest relevant degree: Master's
• Submitted: 1/28/2012
"It's a pretty rewarding profession, but the administration drives me crazy. I hate the politics that come with a school system."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 5 | UNF is more like a budget college. Yes, it's a graduate degree, but it's not prestigious. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | There's not many opportunities for teachers. The only option is to go into administration. |
| Job Security | 6 | Can't be certain about job security in this day and age. Rick Scott is very anti-teacher, so it's tough. |
| Earnings Potential | 4 | This depends entirely on your district. Most teachers don't do too well. |
| How Stressful | 5 | It's hard to complain about the stress. At least I have a job right now! |
| Task Variety | 7 | There are rotating duties that offer a change of pace. I like lunch duty and bus patrol for fresh scenery. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 6 | It still is a fun job, even with the hassle. I love working with kids. |
| Career Flexibility | 1 | School hours are set each day. No vacation can be taken except during the summer. |
| Social Orientation | 7 | There's a lot of opportunity to mix with parents. The work week is busy, but weekends are usually free. |
Job Title: 3rd Grade Teacher
Attended: University Of Texas At San Antonio • San Antonio, TX
Studied Elementary Education (completion in 1995)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/30/2012
"I love working with students and parents and making a difference in the community. However, I do feel that educators are undervalued."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 9 | I had a great experience at UTSA. Great professors and a program that really prepared me for a career as an educator. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 6 | Pretty average promotional opportunities. Most administrative opportunities require a master's degree. |
| Job Security | 9 | I've been teaching at my current school for nearly a decade so I feel that my position is pretty secure. However, economically, times are tough. Budget cuts are being made everyday, so you can never really be sure. |
| Earnings Potential | 5 | Teachers receive a pretty average salary. I do feel that teachers are undervalued and I think it shows on the paycheck. |
| How Stressful | 7 | Teaching can be a very stressful job if you let it be. Some days are absolute insanity, but if you can keep your kids under control and on task, then it's a cake walk. |
| Task Variety | 8 | Although the environment doesn't change much, a variety in lesson plans keeps students engaged. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | Teachers aren't exactly rockstars, but we provide society with an invaluable service. After all, somebody's got to teach the president the alphabet. |
| Career Flexibility | 5 | As an educator, I don't get to pick my hours or really have too much say in where I teach. But I'm very happy with my current situation. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | Constant interaction with students, teachers, administrators, and parents. |
Job Title: 1st Grade Teacher
Attended: Texas A&M University Of Commerce • Commerce, TX
Studied Interdisciplinary Studies: ECE - 4 Generalist (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 1/28/2012
"I love teaching but I don't like the large number of students I have to teach at one time. I also don't enjoy dealing with the budget constraints, since I am a hands-on educator."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 9 | The university is wonderful. They are very hands-on and have professors that are willing to help students on an individual basis. Also, the university began as a teaching college. Another benefit of Commerce is the extensive mentoring program. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 4 | Again, due to the economy it is difficult to get promoted. You also need additional training and certification to become specialized in various subjects. Specialization seems to be the ticket to any type of promotion. |
| Job Security | 4 | Due to the economy it is difficult to obtain and keep an education job, especially as a new teacher. Many teachers have been laid off. Also, it is more difficult obtaining and keeping a job without being specialized. |
| Earnings Potential | 1 | Where I live, being a teacher is one of the lowest paying jobs. There are times when I spend more on school supplies for my kids than I earn. |
| How Stressful | 8 | Being a teacher is very stressful. You have to manage a large group of children at once, use time management skills, be flexible when problems occur, and be able to keep parents and staff happy. |
| Task Variety | 5 | We try to keep a fairly similar schedule, so the children have proper structure. However, lesson plans change, conflicts arise. and different situations in the school year can cause changes in tasks. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 3 | Students can find a teacher cool, but that is about it. It isn't glamorous due to the messiness of projects and playing with kids. Also, most family and friends don't understand why anyone would go into such a demanding career with so little pay. |
| Career Flexibility | 5 | The breaks allow a lot of flexibility and seem to be one of the major factors that people go into this career. However, during the school year it is difficult to have a flexible schedule, since students rely heavily on their teacher and a proper routine. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | There is tons of social interaction. I get advice from mentors and colleagues. Also, I am in constant interaction with children and their parents. |
Job Title: Substitute Teacher
Attended: Russell Sage College • Troy, NY
Studied Elementary Education (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/30/2012
"I love being able to effect the lives of young children. It is a great joy to watch and help children grow and become intelligent young adults."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 8 | My school prepared me for instruction in the elementary classroom. They hardly focused on assessments in the classroom. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 9 | There are many opportunities to teach across America, if you are willing to travel and start over in a new place. It is a hindrance if you are looking to teach in a specific state or area. |
| Job Security | 8 | Being a substitute teacher in elementary is on an on-call basis. For any one full time job there are hundreds of others applying for the same position. |
| Earnings Potential | 8 | The earning potential for teachers is based on the amount of schooling they have. It is also based on their performance. |
| How Stressful | 9 | There are many expectations placed on the classroom teacher. You are in charge of implementing state based standards of learning as well as assessing each child and making sure that the material presented is easily accessible to them. |
| Task Variety | 8 | Some daily tasks are the same, since stability is key to an organized and manageable classroom. The lessons and information taught is varied from day to day. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 10 | In teaching there are many opportunities to do fun and exciting things with your students. It is also a career in which you are always learning and growing with your students. |
| Career Flexibility | 8 | There is little flexibility in teaching. You are contracted to work a specific amount of days with and without students. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | Teachers are always in contact with other teachers and with students' parents. They spend a lot of time interacting and building relationships with colleagues, administrators, students, and parents. |
Job Title: Teacher: Elementary
Attended: Martin Methodist College • Pulaski, TN
Studied Education (completion in 2011)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/30/2012
"While I am having a difficult time finding a job, the people in the education dept. helped me to locate a temporary teaching job at one of the local grade schools."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 8 | The program was great. There was a teacher or two that need to go ahead and retire, though. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | The chance for an actual promotion as a teacher around here is slim to none. |
| Job Security | 7 | The job security as a teacher was a lot better a couple years ago. There is always a new director of education for TN, so the tenure process is always changing, making jobs a little less secure. |
| Earnings Potential | 7 | I know that there is a general perception that teachers are to low paid... believe it or not, we make decent money. |
| How Stressful | 7 | This job can be as stressful as a 10 or as easy as a 5. |
| Task Variety | 5 | I would say average. There are days that are the same, but for the most part there is at least a little change and excitement everyday. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 3 | This occupation is not really seen as "cool." |
| Career Flexibility | 5 | I think the flexibility of this job is average. You have to be there, but you do get decent vacation days and are off most of the summer. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | There is constant social interaction, whether it be with students or with administrators. |
Job Title: Elementary School Teacher (First Second)
Attended: Hofstra University • Hempstead, NY
Studied Elementary Education / English With A Concentration In Creative Writing (completion in 2011)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/28/2012
"I went to college to become an Elementary teacher, but I had doubts late into getting my degree. I have only accepted a job as a second grade teacher because there was an opening at a local elementary school, however I would enjoy being a kindergarten teacher more."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 5 | Hofstra required a dual major program, which many colleges require now. I was stressed during the majority of my stay because I never had enough time to study properly or have a life outside my studies. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | I haven't really inquired into promotion opportunities for myself, as I am not interested in becoming an administrator or joining the board of education. There is not much of a chance for me to become promoted because I have just started my job a few months ago. |
| Job Security | 7 | Luckily for me, teachers will always be a necessity. There is a huge output of teachers from universities now, though, so while there will always be a need for second grade teachers, there might not always be a need for me. |
| Earnings Potential | 1 | I don't think I need to explain myself on this one very much. Like I said earlier, teaching is a very thankless job. There isn't much money in the government to pay teachers more, especially elementary school teachers. |
| How Stressful | 8 | I'm not rescuing pets from burning buildings, but I am consoling children and calming parents and trying to teach to about 30 different children every day. I am supposed to be building these children's futures, while I'm not exactly sure of my own yet. |
| Task Variety | 10 | The children are constantly full of surprises. Even though we follow the same basic schedule every day, there are always little surprises throughout the day. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 1 | No one really becomes a second grade teacher for the fame. It's a rather thankless job; long hours, crying children, angry parents. |
| Career Flexibility | 10 | There are elementary schools everywhere, obviously. I could choose to work at inner-city schools or private schools. I can become a tutor and work from home. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | I never stop talking and interacting with my students. As for other interactions, I'm in a 'pod' of 3 other second grade teachers. We collaborate on our lunch break and before and after school. Then there are also the weekly faculty meetings and parent conferences. |
Job Title: First Grade Teacher
Attended: Juniata College • Huntingdon, PA
Studied Early Childhood Education (completion in 2008)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/31/2012
"I have summers off and a lot of control over what happens in my classroom. I also love working with children."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 7 | Juniata is not well known as an educational college. However, I had great professors who are still involved in teaching and educational research. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 1 | I can improve on the salary scale. There is not really a promotion from teacher unless you change to administration or central office, which I would not want to do. |
| Job Security | 8 | Teachers are not fired often, unless they really mess up. The teacher's union is also there to help keep you employed. I am working toward tenure. |
| Earnings Potential | 4 | The pay is low. Benefits are good, though. The job security somewhat makes up for the poor pay. |
| How Stressful | 7 | It is stressful during standardized assessment time. Working with children is a stress reliever, though! |
| Task Variety | 6 | I have a lot of control over the variation in my classroom. The kids like routines, though. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | Some teachers are cool. Most are not. Little kids think their teachers are cool, but often adults have a negative view of my job. |
| Career Flexibility | 7 | There are education jobs everywhere. Also, as long as I meet standards, the methods I employ in my classroom are up to me. I do not have to do things exactly the same as the other teachers in my pod. |
| Social Orientation | 8 | I interact with others all day, every day. I interact with other teachers, kids, parents, and administrators. |
Job Title: 5th Grade Teacher
Attended: Education Service Center Region XII • Waco, TX
Studied Bachelor's Degree In Physiology
Teaching Credential (completion in 2002)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 1/26/2012
"I was very excited to begin my teaching career, but I have since changed my mind. The school system is not what it used to be, and the education system of the United States, and specifically California, is going south fast. Not enough money is being put into education. Some schools, such as the one at which I am teaching, have no textbooks or have outdated ones. I have to go online to compile my own material from different websites to provide appropriate material for the grade level. The districts want you to teach their lesson plans, which consist of playing games all day long, especially during math. The "games" never translate into real math problems, so the students have no idea how to react when confronted with a math problem during district and state assessments. Everyone is stepping on eggshells, including school and district administrations. The only satisfaction I receive from teaching is from the love of my students and the thought that I have done them a favor by shying away from the district's curriculum, closing my classroom door, and teaching from my heart and what I know to be effective. I will not be teaching much longer. For the piddly salary teachers get paid in California, we are grossly underpaid and miserably overworked, all without the support of parents, staff or administration."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 2 | Instead of using the approved 5th grade math textbook accepted by the state, we use district curriculum that teachers were never trained to use. The district curriculum does not provide math problems for children to work on; rather, the lessons consist of playing games with cards and dice without the written component. Science consists of a kit from a science center. The kit contains activities, but the concepts are not consistent with the concepts that need to be taught in the 5th grade. Social studies has a limited number of books about history, but about the wrong time period. I have to supplement each of these classes with material I find in the local libraries, from other teachers, and from online research. I'm worn out and frustrated. I have to change grade levels almost every year, so I never get to use the same material twice. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | In teaching, the only promotion you will receive is if you go on to become an administrator. If you don't have those high hopes, all you can wish for is to gain tenure. |
| Job Security | 3 | Although I believe I am a good teacher and valuable to this school, I am still relatively new to the California school system. With the budget cuts to education every year, I don't think I will be able to teach for very long. |
| Earnings Potential | 1 | Teachers, especially in California, are among the lowest paid professionals with college degrees. Besides being paid poor wages for the effort we put into our work, we must also use our own money to purchase supplies for the class. |
| How Stressful | 10 | We are looked at for our ability to prepare our students for district-wide and statewide assessments. Administrators assess you when they come into your classroom for observations. Parents blame you for their child's lack of progress or their behavior. You are basically in a no-win situation. |
| Task Variety | 7 | Although we do many of the same things each day, such as sustained silent reading or bell work, we also adapt to student needs. Sometimes we review difficult concepts instead of going on to the next lesson. Other times we can progress to another lesson if the class has grasped the concept very well. Teachers also get distracted at various times during the day. No two days are ever the same. A good teacher is flexible. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 2 | Many people in the Asian community scoff at teaching as a profession. There is no monetary benefit, and you have no power. A teacher lives very frugally. Teachers are always being compared to doctors and engineers. |
| Career Flexibility | 2 | You must spend at least 8 hours at school. At my particular school, we have mandatory staff meetings almost every day, which last about 2 hours. Preparation for class occurs for at least an hour every morning. This includes procuring materials, photocopying, putting up student work, rearranging bulletin boards, and setting up stations and technological devices such as the TV or projector in the classroom. |
| Social Orientation | 5 | Interactions occur on many different levels: between teachers, with administration, with school staff, with the students, and with the parents. Teachers supposedly enjoy our infrequent social gatherings after school or away from school. I feel that I don't quite belong with the rest of the school staff. |
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