What are the benefits of teaching as a career.?

Question

I would like for an experienced Educator, or Educators, to answer this question for me:

I'm interested in being a teacher. I don't want to limit myself to one grade division. By the end of my teaching career, I have a goal to have taught people from all grade divisions (grades Kindergarten through College).

Currently, I am a college student who is completing the Associate in Arts in General Studies. Afterwards, I'm going to pursue the Bachelor of Science in Education (not sure of what specialization yet). And of course, after these degrees, I plan to enter Graduate School in pursuit of the Master degree, then the Doctorate degree (again, I haven't decided in which fields).

Please be sure to include comments about things like:
Health and insurance coverage
Salary
Vacation time
Sick/Emergency/Maternity leave
Continuing Education
And any other relevant benefits of a teaching degree that you can mention.

Thank you so much for your answers.

Answer 1

I have been an educator for 30+ years. I have taught pre-school and grades 7 through 12 as well as at the college level. I admire your goal. I am curious as to whether you plan to finish your education goals before getting into the classroom or at the same time as teaching.
In either case, let me try to answer some of your questions.

My insurance benefits are not the best but they are adequate. I do pay extra for dental coverage. The drug benefits are a lifesaver.

After 30+ years I have finally made it over the $50,000 mark. Other occupations pay more, but this is what I was called to do.

Vacation time is good. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring break, Summer. they all coincide with my own kids.

Sick leave is good. State and local days can accumulate. Our district has a sick leave bank that we can join. I have enough days stored up that I could call in sick for a whole year.

Continuing Ed is required but if it is at a university, tuition is at my own expense. Some things are offered by the district

Teaching young people keeps me young.

Answer 2

Interesting question. You only mention monetary compensation, which makes me wonder why you want to go into teaching.

If you did not already know, going into teaching will not make you rich, or even comfortably well-off. After 20 years of teaching you might make $70,000 in my district. This is with a Master's degree plus additional units. Rookies start at $40,000 (with a Master's). Never mind that a one-bedroom condo in this entire region goes for $375,000, and you can't find a single family home for under $500,000.

Health and insurance benefits are negotiated every two or three years, and in my district these benefits are being whittled down drastically. I do not foresee any change anytime soon. Sick days are fairly generous (10 days/year) and you get 3 emergency leave days.

Vacation time is unpaid time. Teachers are paid per diem, and in my district we work 185 days.

Regarding continuing education, it depends on the district and the school. Where I work we have a 3 year grant that requires the district to provide professional growth at their expense to the teachers at my school. In other schools in my district teachers have to pay for their own continuing education. And when our grant runs out, so do we.

Answer 3

I think a lot of the monetary type benefits such as insurance and such are really variable depending on the state or district you work for. I think the most important benefits of teaching are intangible. First, you can live anywhere you want and find a job. Second, no one can MAKE you work weekends, holidays, etc. Sure I put in some hours on my off time but no one is putting me on a schedule. And finally, the greatest benefit is knowing you have helped kids. I teach special ed and I have had kids who are in the 6th grade and they have told me I am the first person who ever took the time to explain things their way or the first person who really taught them to read instead of just handing them a book. Days like that are absolutely the best thing about teaching.

Answer 4

You get to be a part of their development. It is almost like an investment. Did you think Bill Gates' teachers knew that he would become a multi billionaire? You get to say, I taught so-and-so in kindergarden if they become famous. Also, just being part of someone's life is a extraordinary experience.

Answer 5

You get to yell at students..And you get to stand all hour... Good Luck