Teaching Prospects

Career Considerations for Today’s Teachers

By Shannon Donnelly

Have you been wondering whether it’s wise to pursue a career in education or questioning what details you should determine before the time comes to apply for an actual position?

The field of education can fluctuate frequently depending on the current political climate, evolving advances in technology, and—of course—global health concerns. Yet the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) still predicts that demand for K-12 teachers will rise by four percent over the next eight years. Which means, there’s a lot of serious—and fun—factors for today’s teachers to take into consideration when choosing where, how and with whom to work.

From geographically-dependent government funding availability and average wages paid for a preferred position to choices between public, private, charter or online learning organizations, the opportunities are endless if you’re ready to do some research and remain flexible.

Geographical Considerations

One of the biggest possibilities to ponder is where you want to live. Would you be willing to relocate for better job prospects? Try checking out not only what kind of funding different states allot their educational institutions, but what the median cost of living will be for you and/or your family.

Average Wages

It’s also important to look into the average wages offered in any location you might be considering. Some states—and cities—offer higher wages than others to those who teach certain age levels or hold certain degrees and specializations. For example, some areas offer higher salaries to teachers with master’s or doctorate degrees, teachers trained in special education, or teachers willing to work with one age group over another, such as kindergarten-aged children versus preschool-aged children. According to recent BLS reports, Texas, Florida and Ohio are three states which all offer both increasingly lucrative and plentiful job opportunities to today’s teachers.

Type of Institution

One of the most complicated decisions a person pursuing a profession in education might encounter is the type of institution at which they would like to teach. A few of the most common with the largest growth opportunities are public schools, private schools, charter schools and online learning organizations.

Most available teaching positions will be found at public schools as their sheer number far outweighs that of private and charter institutions. In addition, public schools are often able to offer higher salaries because of their size and respective funding. But, while public schools may have a higher quantity, and possibly more lucrative opportunities, private and charter schools are able to offer less traditional perks—like increasingly creative freedom in curriculum development—since they are not subject to the same government dictated regulations as public schools.

Virtual learning has also been an increasingly interesting option for educators around the world over the last decade—especially since the outbreak of Covid-19. The call for online teachers and tutors has seen a strong and steady increase over the last decade, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and is expected to experience exponential growth as technology continues to develop. Perhaps the best benefit of online education, though, is the wide range of options in location and salary without having to actually relocate.

With so many different aspects to take into account, it's an exciting time to enter into the field of education.