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4 Tips for Building a Successful Career in Education

By | Sarah Kaminski | Freelance writer

Anyone who has ever worked in education will tell you that being an educator is more than just a career. It’s a calling.

Earning an average salary but working considerably longer hours than people in public service jobs, teachers aren’t exactly paid as much as they deserve. Nonetheless, those who enjoy passing down knowledge don’t really mind the stress, the obstacles, and the long hours. They’re happy to do what they do, as long as they’re making a positive difference in their students’ education.

But what is it that young teachers can do to build a successful career in education? Are there skills they must learn? Courses they need to take? Or is it all about the approach?

Are you thinking about going into teaching? If so, then the following are the top tips to keep in mind about your professional path.

Find Your Passion

Perhaps the most critical part of becoming a great educator is teaching a subject you’re enthusiastic about. It doesn’t matter if it’s high school physics or kindergarten English. What signifies is that you have a strong command of the material and that you’re in love with it.

Remember, a public school teacher in the US will work for an average of 30 years before they reach the age that allows them to enjoy a peak pension. That’s a lot of time teaching the same material. Sure, school curricula change. But for most of your career, you’ll be doing the same things. So it’s best if you’re passionate about them.

Know That the Learning Never Stops

While a career in education often means revisiting well-known topics and materials year after year, it does not mean that you can allow yourself to stagnate. On the contrary; great educators are the ones who are constantly working on self-improvement. Be it the completion of an advanced course, finishing a master’s degree, or obtaining National Board Certification.

But why is learning so important for teachers? Well, there are two good reasons.

The first, more obvious one is that higher competencies bring more profitable career opportunities.

The second is that students are getting smarter by the decade. It is now known that the average person has a higher IQ than 95% of the population in 1900. So, naturally, teachers have to adapt. By consistently improving their skills and widening their horizons, they’ll be much more capable of helping their students reach their full potential.

Learn to Be Self-Reliant

Unfortunately, educators who work in the public sector often have to work with limited resources. Lack of funding, instruction materials, and support are just some of the common obstacles teachers face daily.

But the thing is, most standardized tests don’t take into consideration the circumstances under which students have had to learn. In fact, it can be said that these exams show a clear bias towards pupils from better-to-do communities.

So, if you want to build a successful career in education, you’ll need to learn early on to make things work. You might find yourself faced with the challenge of overcoming language barriers. Or you might have to come up with your own teaching materials. Perhaps you’ll need to find the best preparatory materials your pupils can use on their own. Whichever obstacle you come across, know that there will always be a lot of work you’ll need to do off-hours.

Don’t Sacrifice Your Wellbeing

One of the main misunderstandings people have about teachers is that they marvel at the short work hours and generous time-off policies.

But here’s the deal: most educators work for much longer than the average employee. In fact, teachers don’t just have to prepare lessons and grade papers (both jobs that don’t fall under regular teaching hours). They also have to take various training courses during the summer, plan for competitions, and ensure that they come to work 100% prepared every day.

And that can take quite a toll on their health and relationships. For example, according to a 2020 research study, 5% of teachers struggle with mental health issues such as panic attacks and anxiety. Moreover, teacher turnover rates have risen dramatically over the past decades, showing just how stressful the job can be.

With this info in mind, if you’re looking to become a full-time educator, you must learn how to take proper care of yourself. After all, doing great work is only possible if you’re in good physical and mental shape. So don’t forget to prioritize your health. Yes, it may give you a sense of guilt. But it’ll ensure you’re capable of doing what you love for so much longer than the average person.

Final Words

Building a successful career in education takes much more than knowledge. For one, it takes a talent for passing on knowledge, a great deal of self-reliance, and, of course, the wisdom not to put the demands of the job before your own health.

But if you’re cut out for the job it’s one of the most rewarding professions out there. After all, there are very few things as satisfying as seeing a student do well or helping someone achieve more than they thought they’d be capable of.


Author Bio:

Sarah Kaminski is a freelance writer and social media marketer. She works with a number of small businesses to build their brands through more engaging marketing and content

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