Employment Prospects
Just how promising are teaching jobs, you may ask? Well, if the projections of the Bureau of Labor Statistics are right on target, teaching vacancies in all levels of elementary and secondary education will grow by as much as 13 percent in the decade from 2008 until 2018. Now, if your area of specialization is in one of the high-demand fields like science and math as well as in bilingual education, then you can expect more open teaching positions to come your way.
Your employment prospects will vary depending on the geographical location of the jobs to which you are applying for. On one hand, if you apply for a teaching post in the southern and western states, you have higher chances of being hired since these places are expected to show an increase in their enrollment rates. On the other hand, applying for a teacher position in the northeast parts of the country may not be as successful because of the projected decrease in enrollment in these areas. But don't be discouraged either by such general statements as there will always be exceptions to the rule when it comes to teaching employment.
Also, the pay for teaching jobs in the public sector will vary depending on the state and local budgets for education. But with increased federal spending for teachers in the lower-income areas, we should be able to see a surge in teaching vacancies, which is very good news for the many unemployed or underemployed but motivated teachers amongst us.
With the expected retirement of many teachers as well as the reports from concerned government agencies of improved working conditions, teaching positions are increasingly becoming very attractive indeed. You should not be the last one to board the train, so to speak.
Financial Rewards
When you do secure a good teacher position, your annual salary will depend on the rank, geographical location and the organization that provided for said job. In general, however, median annual salary for teachers in the elementary and secondary levels range from a low of $47,100 to a high of $51,180 and these figures are only for May 20087, to boot. You can just imagine the rates that teaching jobs will provide in the coming years.
Salaries are not all there is to expect from the open teaching vacancies. Depending on the school, you will also be provided with medical and dental insurance, incentives and bonuses and, if you are lucky, even free or subsidized housing. Indeed, being in the teaching employment has its pay and perks.
There are also teaching positions that allow for professionals to earn extra income. You can get extra pay from jobs like coaching the students on sports, teaching summer schools and performing other school-related jobs outside of their official responsibilities.
Psychic Income
Money is not the be-all and end-all for many teachers. The psychic income of being a teacher also plays a significant part in the decision to stay in the profession despite the odds, of which there are many. We have all heard of the too-stubborn class in movies and television shows but in real life, your job as a teacher can be made easier with the right attitude and approach to the profession.
Said psychic benefits include the opportunity to influence the values of students, add to their bank of knowledge and help them through their young lives. In short, you have a significant role to play in shaping their character so much so that you can become the second parent to your students. Well, of course, you should not act like a parent because you are not but you get the point.
For more information on teaching vacancies in many parts of the country, visit or log on to EducationCrossing.com where prospective employers post open positions for teachers. And with their free trial period, you may be able to find your dream job in just one day!
