2 answers
Jupiter
Student
Brattleboro, Vermont
1
Question
Asked
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Is it hard to be a teacher because you get paid kinda bad?
I'm in 11th grade and am in a early childhood education class. I joined not really knowing if I wanted to be a teacher or social worker. Both are still hight on my list but I think I'm learning I want to be a teacher. My worry is that I might not have enough money in the future. So is ot worth it and can it be done. Advice
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2 answers
Cassie Klein
Social Science for Wildlife Conservation
14
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Cassie’s Answer
Hi Jupiter,
I was a 5th and 6th grade science teacher at a private school for 2 years and it was the highest paying job I've had to date. That being said, I work in traditionally low-paying fields like informal science education and wildlife conservation. I think it all depends on the lifestyle you want to have. I was perfectly happy living on a teacher's salary.
Being a classroom teacher is difficult for other reasons. I loved the actual teaching part, but there's also communicating with parents who are unsupportive of the student, you, or both, keeping up with grading and paperwork, juggling what's best for the students with what the district wants you to do, and additional responsibilities that the school leadership puts on you.
You have to love wanting to help your students be the best people they can be first and foremost, otherwise it's just not worth it.
Talk to some of your former teachers and see if you can work out a shadow opportunity
Look up average salaries for teachers in your area (its different everywhere!)
Look up average cost of living in your area
I was a 5th and 6th grade science teacher at a private school for 2 years and it was the highest paying job I've had to date. That being said, I work in traditionally low-paying fields like informal science education and wildlife conservation. I think it all depends on the lifestyle you want to have. I was perfectly happy living on a teacher's salary.
Being a classroom teacher is difficult for other reasons. I loved the actual teaching part, but there's also communicating with parents who are unsupportive of the student, you, or both, keeping up with grading and paperwork, juggling what's best for the students with what the district wants you to do, and additional responsibilities that the school leadership puts on you.
You have to love wanting to help your students be the best people they can be first and foremost, otherwise it's just not worth it.
Cassie recommends the following next steps:
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Jupiter !
I agree that your choice of becoming a teacher will be a good choice. Yes, it can be done. Your idea that teachers do not get paid well may stem from the basic knowledge you may have about public school teaching, however, there are many more routes and types of teaching you can explore. Teaching is always a viable skill and certification to have.
If you are not confident with the financial salary of public school teaching, expand your awareness of other venues in which you could possibly have a better outlook on the income aspect of it. Have you ever considered looking into becoming a Montessori teacher at a Montessori school ? I have left a link for you below to a website at which you can learn more about this. Than, look into being a Waldorf teacher, too ! I have left a link for a website that will familiarize you with being a teacher at a Waldorf School.
As time has gone on, the increase in Home Schooling has created more private type opportunities for teachers, also ! I do occasionally see employment notices for certified teachers in a home school capacity. It's not to say that you'd have only one student. The structure of home schooling varies and you could have several students with your salary being private pay. You could also, at the same time, supplement your income with jobs as a tutor. I would suggest registering at Indeed and Linked In so that you can get a preview as to what is required in these positions and most times the individual salaries are mentioned. I would not give up the dream of becoming a teacher.
Another possible opportunity to teach would be to teach TEFL and ESL to students and others who are starting to learn English. I have seen that some jobs for this require a TEFL or ESL certification.
A suggestion that I have that may broaden your earning potential is to consider taking education courses in college geared to all age groups. Although working only with children is rewarding, you may be needed somewhere else and it will be to your benefit if you are worried about income, to broaden your ability to work with pre K and K - 12. This will give you professional range and you never know - you one day might want to be principal of a school and your versatility and degree and certification will take you there. The contribution teachers make to education is almost limitless and you can explore the opportunities on line about the various roles you can strive for. Not just one, pinpointed area that may limit your earning potential.
I wish you all the best !
MONTESSORI TEACHERS INFORMATION https://amshq.org/Educators/Montessori-Careers/Become-a-Montessori-Educator
WALDORF TEACHERS INFORMATION https://www.waldorfeducation.org/waldorf-education/faqs-about-waldorf
I agree that your choice of becoming a teacher will be a good choice. Yes, it can be done. Your idea that teachers do not get paid well may stem from the basic knowledge you may have about public school teaching, however, there are many more routes and types of teaching you can explore. Teaching is always a viable skill and certification to have.
If you are not confident with the financial salary of public school teaching, expand your awareness of other venues in which you could possibly have a better outlook on the income aspect of it. Have you ever considered looking into becoming a Montessori teacher at a Montessori school ? I have left a link for you below to a website at which you can learn more about this. Than, look into being a Waldorf teacher, too ! I have left a link for a website that will familiarize you with being a teacher at a Waldorf School.
As time has gone on, the increase in Home Schooling has created more private type opportunities for teachers, also ! I do occasionally see employment notices for certified teachers in a home school capacity. It's not to say that you'd have only one student. The structure of home schooling varies and you could have several students with your salary being private pay. You could also, at the same time, supplement your income with jobs as a tutor. I would suggest registering at Indeed and Linked In so that you can get a preview as to what is required in these positions and most times the individual salaries are mentioned. I would not give up the dream of becoming a teacher.
Another possible opportunity to teach would be to teach TEFL and ESL to students and others who are starting to learn English. I have seen that some jobs for this require a TEFL or ESL certification.
A suggestion that I have that may broaden your earning potential is to consider taking education courses in college geared to all age groups. Although working only with children is rewarding, you may be needed somewhere else and it will be to your benefit if you are worried about income, to broaden your ability to work with pre K and K - 12. This will give you professional range and you never know - you one day might want to be principal of a school and your versatility and degree and certification will take you there. The contribution teachers make to education is almost limitless and you can explore the opportunities on line about the various roles you can strive for. Not just one, pinpointed area that may limit your earning potential.
I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps: