National Teacher Recruitment Clearinghouse — Aboutteach Index
By Bastien Petrov · · 3 min read
**All About Teaching****Profiles:**Why I Teach
Teacher-in-Residence
Mid-Career Changer
High School Student
Teacher Aide
Resources
Teaching is a complex, intellectually demanding profession. This section will help you learn about why people teach, what teachers like and don’t like about their jobs, what Americans think about the profession of teaching, what teachers might expect to be paid, and where teachers are needed.
For a more personal look at what it’s like to teach, read some profiles of teachers in the field. To learn more about the teaching profession, consult our helpful resources.
Why People Teach
Some teachers say they teach because of a desire to help children learn and grow and to make a contribution to society. Others say they have a sense of commitment to the community or the nation, an intellectual fascination with a particular discipline (like math or history), or that they have been inspired by one of their own teachers. Read Why I Teach to get one teacher’s view.
What Americans Think about Teaching
Just as teachers believe in their work, the American public believes in the value of good teachers.
A recent survey conducted by Recruiting New Teachers (1998) shows that once the issue of school safety is addressed, Americans believe that providing a qualified teacher in every classroom is the most important way to improve education today -not standards, tests, vouchers, privatization, or school uniforms. The survey also shows that the public knows that teaching gives back more to America than any other profession. To find out more about what Americans think about teaching, read a summary of The Essential Profession: A Survey of Public Attitudes Toward Teaching, Educational Opportunity, and School Reform (1998) on RNT’s Web site.
Teachers’ Likes
Most teachers like what they do. According to information compiled from national surveys, including a 1995 Metropolitan Life survey and a 1999 Phi Delta Kappa poll, teachers expressed some of the following satisfactions and dissatisfactions, saying they:
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Appreciate that the average teacher salary has risen steadily over the past four decades to nearly $40,500 per year
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Rank their schools’ physical surroundings as “good” or “excellent”
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Believe that schools support and encourage strong relations between students and teachers
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Rate the relationship between themselves and their students as “good” or “excellent”
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Believe that, generally speaking, they are recognized for their expertise
Teachers’ Dislikes
Despite a general sense of job satisfaction, however, many teachers point to a number of conditions that can make their jobs difficult. These include:
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The presence of societal problems, such as drug and alcohol abuse and teen pregnancy
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Lack of preparation in classroom management
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Not enough time for planning and professional development
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Not enough time to prepare lessons or confer with other teachers
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Not enough involvement in curriculum and school management decisions
Teacher Salaries
Although teaching provides many rewards, teachers are generally paid less than individuals with comparable credentials in other professions. However, teacher salaries range widely, depending on the city or state. The American Federation of Teachers has a report on the latest teacher salary data for every state.
Where Teachers Are Needed
Individuals thinking of becoming teachers would do well to prepare to teach in areas where there is a critical need. There is a consistent shortage of qualified teachers in rural and urban areas, as well as shortages of special education, bilingual education, math, and science teachers.
For more information about where teachers are needed, go to the Teacher Shortage Areas page.
Profiles of Teachers
To get an idea about what it’s like to teach, read some stories about those in the field.
Read about a mid-career changer, Dean Spencer, who left his law practice to become a teacher. Find out how Jackie Stanley, a teacher of color, overcame barriers to become a teacher. Read about Otis Young, who became interested in teaching when he was a high school student. Or learn how Lesley Taylor began as a teacher aide and became a full-time teacher.
How To Learn More
One of the best ways to learn about teaching is through exposure to the profession. For instance, volunteering in a local school, participating in internships or jobs in summer schools or camps, or talking to current teachers about the “ins and outs” of the profession can provide a good understanding of the challenges and rewards of working with children.
You might also want to take a look at some interesting Resources that describe the teaching profession in depth.