Why Become a Teacher? The Top 17 Reasons to Teach in 2023
| You should become a teacher if you want to impact the lives of students and your community. A career in teaching provides stability, benefits, and a structure for your life. Teachers experience camaraderie when they become part of a passionate community of professionals. |
Teaching is a career where you can make a big impact. Teachers support students, improve communities, and influence future generations. There are so many great reasons to become a teacher.
America has a teacher shortage with low numbers of teachers across the states. In 2022, the Department of Education reported “4% of all public school teaching positions were vacant.” The need for teachers has led to increased pay and relocation bonuses in some states.
Teaching is a career you can commit to. Individuals who are empathetic, creative, and motivated love this line of work. There are also plenty of long breaks including summer vacation. We’ve outlined all the awesome reasons for becoming a teacher.
1. Build Relationships With Students
Developing relationships with students is a big reason people commit to a teaching career. Teachers inspire, connect, and form meaningful relationships with their students. It is no small thing to be a defining part of a student’s life, and the value of this experience can be priceless.
As a teacher, you will encounter many students who struggle with the course material, and nothing compares to the breakthrough moment when a student finally understands the material. They will never forget these moments — and how you helped them achieve their goals.
2. Constantly Learn
If you love to learn, you should consider becoming a teacher. Content knowledge is vital to teaching. Loving what you teach means diving into your favorite subject all the time!
Science teachers get to reference the latest Nobel-winning research in their lesson plan, while English teachers can draw theme similarities between New York Times best sellers and novels in their curriculum.
Students will also teach you many things. Adapting to students’ needs and learning styles is a constant learning experience. Students ask difficult questions that can challenge your way of thinking. This can help you understand different perspectives and become a better teacher.
3. Influence a Generation
Teachers are one of the largest influences on student achievement. As an educator and role model, your influence on students will shape generations to come.
You will give students the tools to be thoughtful, creative, and respectful. These skills will serve them in their personal lives and future careers.
4. Face a New Challenge Daily
No two days are the same for teaching professionals. This may seem daunting to some, but teachers thrive on challenges and rise to the occasion. This is an exciting career for people who prefer engagement over boredom.
Challenges can include:
- Developing your curriculum
- Adapting to learning styles and behaviors
- Staying up to date on technology
Teaching is a dynamic career that keeps you on your toes.
5. Great Job Security
Teachers are in demand now more than ever due to a shortage of teachers. Schools and states across the country are making a large effort to get qualified staff. High school teachers, for example, can expect a 5% increase in employment from 2021 to 2031.
Teachers’ unions provide job security and are available in every state. Unions help as a collective influence at the school board level and during elections.
6. Impact Your Larger Community
Teachers can impact their wider community by building community outreach into their lesson plans. This could include eco-friendly projects such as recycling initiatives or building community gardens. It may also look like encouraging students to visit local organizations or connect with inspiring figures to learn more about their town’s history. As a teacher, there are endless ways to incorporate unique projects that have a positive ripple effect on the community.
Vibrant communities rely on people to keep them vibrant. Teachers can get students to join local libraries, museums, groups, and volunteer opportunities.
7. Flex Your Creativity
Teachers use creative thinking to meet students on their level and keep them engaged. Problem-solving requires creativity, and teachers are the ultimate problem-solvers.
Innovative technology can give students a new perspective and help them learn. Creative ideas for classroom management will keep students engaged.
8. Enjoy Longer Vacations
Teachers can expect paid breaks during the fall, winter, and spring semesters. Summer vacations are not paid, but you can choose to divide salary payments over 12 months. One of the many benefits of being a teacher is enjoying bank holidays, snow days, and regional holidays.
9. Choose Where You Live
The high demand for teachers means more freedom when choosing a place to live and work. ‘Teacher license reciprocity’ is the ability to transfer your license across the states. Every state has particular requirements.
Certain states and schools offer relocation bonuses to teachers. Be sure to research all your options — there might be incentives to attract somebody like you.
10. Work Independently
Many people rely on teachers to work independently in the classroom—students, staff, and parents all place their trust in your abilities. Teachers are responsible for their own lesson structure, classroom management, and general organization. It’s a great job for people who are both independent and collaborative when necessary.
Teachers also perform solo tasks like playground and cafeteria supervision.
11. Improve Education Quality in Your Area
Teachers naturally understand their communities, and they can use this knowledge to improve education in their area. As a teacher, you know how students think and how they see the world because you live in the same place. This gives you a big advantage in helping students learn. You can use local references, resources, and even slang terms when helping students.
12. Build Relationships With Parents
A teacher’s role is also important to students’ parents. Teachers build relationships with parents and become an advocate for their student’s development. Teachers help parents understand their child’s needs, goals, and individual qualities.
This relationship goes beyond the classroom walls. Teachers encourage parents to support their child’s gifts they might not see at home. A network of parents in the community will recognize your efforts.
13. Become a Part of a Larger Network
You will form connections at school that will last a lifetime. You will build a network of colleagues, peers, and families. Principals know principals at other schools, and this may support your future employment opportunities. Form connections, show enthusiasm for your work, and the rest will follow.
No matter where a teacher is from, they share a bond with educators around the world. Being a teacher is worth it because you are part of something bigger than yourself.
14. Create Your Career Path
Not every job will match your enthusiasm and commitment. But teaching does, which makes it a great career for motivated people. There is a lot of growth opportunity in a teaching career. While you’ll start by interviewing for a teaching position, you can grow into a principal or superintendent position with experience.
The path to being a principal or superintendent begins with teaching experience. Show your enthusiasm and be open about your intent so others can support your goals. Your network of support will be there for you.
15. Work Shortly After College
Passing the certification exam of your state certification program will allow you to teach. Certification exams differ from state to state and can include Praxis, TExES, or CSET. You’ll need to prove your subject knowledge as you answer constructed response questions. Passing this exam doesn’t mean you have a certificate — you’ll also need teaching hours.
Compensation can vary depending on your state and school’s approach to field experience — but you will be teaching in a classroom and building connections that impact the rest of your career.
16. See Education Evolve
The teacher shortage is not good, and this is a great time to join the education workforce. States and districts are updating standards as they aim to attract new teachers.
As a leader in the classroom, you are a positive influence on how students adapt to technology. Teachers see firsthand how technology impacts their students’ education, and they can help students deal with these changes.
17. Have Fun With Your Students
Students make teaching a lot of fun by being themselves. They’ll brighten your day with stories, surprising perspectives, and unfiltered enthusiasm.
Teachers can let loose too, and this is a great way to build rapport as a first-year teacher. Students also enjoy a challenge if there’s a bit of excitement involved. The best teachers find ways to have fun while teaching tricky subjects — and that’s the best way to get your students’ attention.
18. Instill a Love of Learning
Students reflect the level of enthusiasm their teacher gives them. Your passion for teaching will instill a love of learning in students. Pursue a career in the subject you love and the enthusiasm of your students will follow.
A teacher who instills passion can help students overcome difficulties in school. Your love of learning will make a big difference for all students regardless of their goals or interests.
19. Serve as a Role Model
As a teacher, you will be a significant role model for students. They will mimic your interpersonal skills, conflict-resolution abilities, and problem-solving expertise. Everybody is unique, and there are so many ways to be a role model.
Teachers from underrepresented groups can show students that anything is possible. For example, women who teach in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are empowering role models.
20. Grow Your Skills
Teaching is a wonderful career for people who believe in self-improvement. You can learn something new every day from students. Trying your best to meet their needs will improve your teaching skills. Colleagues will also be part of your development as an educator. Your fellow teachers will be a source of inspiration for new techniques.
Teaching something you love means growing your skills in a specific area of education. Staying up to date in their specialized industries can be exciting for teachers who are passionate about a subject.
What Do You Gain From Being a Teacher?
A career in teaching provides professional stability, satisfaction, and opportunities. This is a career for those who want to think on their feet, rise to a challenge, and learn something new every day. Teachers are passionate, curious, and influential pillars of their community.
Teaching is a career that can change your life. Don’t hesitate to get started — education is a lifelong passion. And when you begin to study for teacher certification exams, we will be here. 240 Tutoring can help with effective exam prep study guides tailored to each exam by state.
