Vocabulary

bachelor’s degree

a degree awarded by a college or university to a person who has completed undergraduate studies

class management

the act of managing; handling, direction, or controlling a class

curriculum

the regular or a particular course of study in a school, college, etc.

educator

a person or thing that educates, especially a teacher, principal, or other person involved in planning or directing education

master’s degree

a degree awarded by a graduate school or department, usually to a person who has completed at least one year of graduate study

mentor

a wise and trusted counselor or teacher

postsecondary

of or relating to education beyond high school

school loan

something lent or furnished on condition of being returned, especially a sum of money lent at interest

Background Information

Educators today face many challenges in the school system. Studies suggest that more than 40% of all teachers leave the profession within their first five years and over half of those leaving are among the most effective educators (TeachPlus report). Teacher shortages affect the whole community but especially the students. A shortage of teachers is harmful for students, teachers, and the public education system. Lack of sufficient, qualified teachers threatens the ability of students to learn (U.S. schools struggle to hire and retain teachers).

Education Requirements for Teachers

When high school students prepare for future careers in the education field, they have much to consider. After high school, students pursue postsecondary education. To become a teacher, you are required to earn a bachelor’s degree. To become a principal, you must attend at least two more years of college and earn a master’s degree. This process can be costly and may include college loans they must pay back. The money you pay to go to college is called tuition. College tuition covers the academic side of your college experience and is paid at either a per credit or per semester rate. Students who pay per semester receive a decreased rate. For the 2014-2015 school year, the average cost of tuition at a four-year private college was $43,350. For a public university, in-state students pay $11,610 on average while out-of-state students pay $30,780 (Trends in College Pricing).

Training Requirements for Teachers

Education majors are required to gain experience as interns or student teachers before they can become certified teachers. They must also pass licensure tests. Once they begin teaching, they are given a mentor to help them assimilate into their career. Teachers often struggle with low pay, which makes it difficult to pay back student loans. Many entry level teachers also struggle with class management when trying to encourage students to behave and do their work. They create new lesson plans and curriculum which can be time consuming and challenging.

Sometimes teachers aren’t given enough training before they are hired for a job. Perhaps the only available job offer is outside their teaching specialty. Ryan Nixon, a new science teacher said, “When you’re a new teacher and you want a job, you take the job the principal gives you, and if you’re assigned out of field, maybe you figure it out and do a good job with it, but it makes your life hard.” (Teaching without training).

Continuing Education

Even though the first five years are often the hardest in a teacher’s career, there are many ways to help new teachers stay in the teaching field. School districts and school sites have programs for new teachers. New teachers are given a mentor for one to three years and receive help and friendship with teachers at their school. It is good for new teachers to be involved in school activities, eat in the teacher’s lounge, and make efforts to be a part of the school community. Veteran teachers are usually welcoming and will help the new teachers assimilate into their teaching careers. Teachers have several training sessions year round to help give them guidance and motivation. Seeking motivational seminars, classes and podcasts like this TED Talk can help a new teacher cope with the stressors of teaching.