Becoming a schoolteacher is a journey that leads to a rewarding and fulfilling career. If you think for a minute, you can probably remember a teacher who had a positive impact on your life. That is what teacher’s do. They help children learn lessons that follow them for the rest of their lives. It is a profession unlike any other. In this article, we will explain why becoming a schoolteacher is important, the many benefits, and how you can get started in this unique and rewarding profession.

Why are Teachers so Important to Society?

If you are wondering, “why become a teacher,” here’s why. Teachers make a tremendous difference in the development of children. Students not only gain knowledge, but also develop behavior and social skills that teach them how to interact with others, adopt creativity, and ultimately grow up to become happy, successful adults that may share some of the same wisdom they obtained from their teachers with their children. In this way, teachers are role models for their students and can inspire future generations to go into the teaching profession and serve as mentors to their students long after they leave their class.

At Drexel University's School of Education, we offer multiple pathways to help you become a teacher. You can major in Elementary Education to teach children in preschool through grade 4, Middle Level to teach grades 4-8, and Secondary Education to teach students in grades 7-12. Drexel offers full and part-time bachelor’s degree programs, as well as master’s degree and post-bachelor’s certification programs for students who already have a bachelor’s degree. Drexel also offers focused concentration areas such as special education and STEM subjects for students who want to teach a specific subject. If you would like to learn more about our programs, you can request more information.

Drexel’s renowned Field Placement Office also supports students with enriching and educational student teaching experiences to ensure teaching candidates not only earn the hours required for state certification but are paired with experienced teachers who can mentor and guide beginner teachers. The Field Placement Office has relationships with school districts all across the country and can identify schools in close proximity to the student’s home.

Benefits of Being a Teacher

There are countless reasons to becoming a teacher. Whether you want to pursue a career that can help develop the minds of future generations, or are excited to teach individuals about a unique subject, there are many reasons why individuals think being a teacher is a good career choice. Here are a few benefits to consider if you are interested in pursuing a career in education:

1) No Two Days are the Same

If you dread a work environment where you do the same thing over and over again, you should consider teaching. Teachers develop lesson plans that are delivered to children in their classrooms. How children interpret and learn vary greatly, giving teachers the opportunity to adjust their teaching style and tactics to fit their students.

2) Chance to Make an Impact on a Community

Teachers play a critical role in the lives of their students and in their community because they can interact with parents and school leadership. Schools often serve as community hubs where people from all backgrounds come together and meet to discuss issues and needs in their neighborhoods. Teachers have a unique perspective of not only working in schools but communicating directly with the adults who send their kids to their schools.

3) Job Security

There is always a need for great teachers. As populations increase, the need for teachers to educate children grows. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the profession is expected to grow by 7% from 2021-2031 and create more than 900,000 jobs in teaching subjects. On average, the median annual wage for individuals in Education, Training & Library occupations is $57,220. While the paycheck may not reflect the impact they have on society, schools may offer teachers generous benefits packages that can include health insurance, vision & dental insurance, retirement packages, continuing education and more.

4) A Chance to be Creative

Being a teacher gives you an outlet for creativity. Teachers design their classrooms and lesson plans for their students. In turn, students provide unique perspectives and challenges, which engages a teacher’s creative juices. There are plenty of possibilities to try something new to enhance learning.

5) Unlimited Impact

Becoming a teacher will enable you to have a positive influence on the students who come through your classroom door every day. Some lessons may be forgotten but others may last forever. Teachers are in a unique position to impart knowledge on the next generation of adults who will become leaders in their homes, their jobs, and communities.

6) Flexible Work Schedules

A teacher’s work schedule allows them more time to spend with their family and friends. Teachers receive paid time off for holidays, seasonal breaks in the winter and spring, and time off in the summer. Of course, teacher’s work hard year-round preparing their lesson plans and grading their student’s work, but there is flexibility in how they approach their work that allows for self-care and personal growth.

7) Lifelong Learning

Teachers can spend their careers broadening their knowledge and skills in education. Certified teachers can add on additional credentials to help them better teach different types of students and make themselves more attractive to potential employers. For example, a teacher may choose to take additional courses to become certified in special education, or as an instructional technology specialist, or better understand students impacted by trauma through a certificate in social, emotional, and behavioral wellness. Additional certification and college credits can also have an impact on a teacher’s salary depending on their contract agreement with their school district. Additionally, the skills that teachers bring to their job like communication, planning, empathy, and others can translate to other professions.

8) Opportunity to Travel

Another of the great reasons to become a teacher is that certified teachers can work almost anywhere. Many states, including Pennsylvania, have reciprocation agreements that allow teacher to transfer their teaching license to another state. In some cases, a teacher may be able to teach oversees. Teachers are unique in that they are always in demand and can find work anywhere they choose to live.

How to Become a Teacher with Drexel University’s School of Education

There are many different options available to help you become a teacher. Drexel offers bachelor’s, master’s, and post-bachelor’s teacher certification (for those who already have a degree) programs to help you earn certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Teacher certifications are also available in elementary (grades preK-4), middle level (grades 4-8), and secondary (grades 7-12). Subject areas including math, English, science, and more are available in middle and secondary certification programs. Drexel also offers special education and additional add-on certifications that fit student interest and meet the needs of school districts across the state and nation. You can get started today by requesting more information about our programs, or, if you think you are ready, starting an application.