Why You Should Get a Teaching Degree Every year, thousands of people earn their teaching degree and fulfill their dreams of making a difference and shaping the minds of the next generation. If you dream of becoming a teacher but are unsure whether a teaching degree program is right for you, read on for the top reasons for getting a teaching degree. 1. Join the Millions of People with a Teaching Degree According to the National Center for Education Information (NCEI), nearly 2.5 million teachers completed an approved teaching degree program in the U.S. between 1985 and 2003. With about 3.5 million teachers working in elementary and secondary schools in 2008, and with the number of teachers employed expected to grow to nearly 4 million by 2018, it's clear that qualified teachers will remain in demand for years to come. Will you be one of the half million teachers to get your teaching degree and start enriching the lives of our nation's students in the years to come?  2. You Need a Teaching Degree to Be a Certified Teacher A study prepared by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in 2006 found that almost 99 percent of teachers at public elementary and secondary schools had a bachelor's degree or higher. And when you consider that all 50 states and the District of Columbia now require a minimum of a bachelor's degree for teacher certification, you need to get a teaching degree to become a teacher. To make this easier for you, All Education Schools keeps a handy web page updated with each state's Education Department contact information, where you can look up specific requirements for your state. 3. Teaching Degree Programs Help You Think Like a Teacher Many high school teachers forgo an undergraduate teaching degree, choosing instead to major in their specialty subject. These teachers often go back for a graduate-level teaching degree to meet certification criteria. Whether it's part of your bachelor's or master's degree program, the time you spend learning to be a teacher—preparing curricula, managing a classroom, assessing student success—will give you the practice you need to teach with confidence right from the beginning. 4. You'll Learn from Experienced Faculty in Your Teaching Degree Elementary teachers often get teaching degrees such as a Bachelor of Arts in Education that prepare them to teach a variety of subjects. One benefit of immersing yourself in the world of education from the start of your college degree is the opportunity you'll have to learn from the teaching school faculty, all of whom typically have extensive teaching experience to share. When you request information from teacher education schools, ask how many years of experience their faculty members have. You may be surprised by the answer! 5. You'll Get Hands-On Teaching Experience Student teaching is a requirement for teacher certification in all 50 states and offers you an opportunity to actually practice what you have learned in school, as well as get feedback on your teaching skills before graduating. Many students consider student teaching the highlight of their teaching degree programs. Though challenging, this essential teaching degree component gives you a taste of what teaching is really like, and it sends you off with crucial real-life experience to make a difference in a classroom of your own. 6. Teaching Degree = More Money It's unlikely you've chosen to become a teacher for the money. But you may be surprised to learn how competitive teacher wages really are. According to the BLS, the average elementary and secondary teacher salary ranged from $47,100 to $51,180 in May of 2008, with opportunities for higher salaries upon completion of a master's teaching degree program or national certification. And with generous benefits offering pension plans and extensive vacation time that are often a part of numerous teacher perks, getting a teaching degree becomes even more attractive. Most people who want to become teachers pursue teaching degrees because they love young people and want to make a difference in their lives. They don't need a list of reasons telling them why getting a teaching degree is a good decision. If this describes you, there are students out there just waiting for a dedicated, inspirational teacher just like you. Your teaching degree will prepare you for the exciting work to come, when you'll use what you've learned to challenge your students and contribute to the quality of education for the next generation.  Related Article: Sources: nces.ed.gov, teach-now.org, bls.gov |
