Choosing a career in education is an exciting and rewarding prospect. Whatever level you want to specialize in, you are contributing to the growth and learning of future generations. The broad spectrum of career choices in this sector offers an individual a varied career path that has lots of opportunities in both public and private establishments. Teaching and education also draw upon your own skills and talents, so you can share and mentor others to utilize their own.
As there are so many options to consider within education, check out some of the areas that can build your career.
Early education
Teachers going into early education will be teaching the foundations of learning as a child enters the education system. Many people opt for this teaching niche, as it enables you to influence and develop the skills that children will need to help them achieve more later in life. Both kindergarten and elementary level schools provide a rewarding experience for anyone starting their teaching career, and in this position, you would expect to complete tasks such as:
- Lesson planning
- Developing social skills
- Monitoring progress
- Working with parents
- Preparation for state tests
- Safety and nutrition
Secondary education
For teachers looking to specialize in a particular subject, moving onto middle or high school teaching is a good choice. There are often several opportunities to take your career to the next level, and subject leaders in math, English, art, science, and social studies are sought after in many states. These establishments often have other educational career paths outside of traditional teaching. Positions such as guidance counselor, coach, teacher aide, and school librarian are also rewarding roles to undertake.
Principal
For those looking to further their career and take on a leadership position, a role such as principal could be for you. However, this type of job is mainly dependent on how many years experience you have and your qualifications. It is a natural progression for many teachers, and having a master’s degree and SDL certification is desired to take on responsibilities at this level. Some examples of the tasks in this position include:
- Overseeing budgets
- Managing all teachers
- Ensuring state and federal standards are met
- Working with parents
- Handling internal and external issues
Special education
This type of teaching or educational career works with children or adults that have disabilities. These can be physical, emotional, mental, or behavioral. Teaching in this capacity is similar to teaching at other levels. However, there is an emphasis on furthering your understanding of disabilities and perhaps taking on studies to develop your knowledge of psychology. This can be a challenging field, but it is also gratifying and uplifting to help children that have additional requirements.
Adult education
It’s not just children that want to learn; adults do too. The adult education sector is growing rapidly, and everything from basic literacy to specialist industry subjects is required throughout the country. This type of teaching helps people to get into new jobs or expand knowledge for current positions, and often has an element of social advocacy within the role.