4 Ways to Prepare Yourself for a Career in Education

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picture courtesy www.mtroyal.com

Preparing to become a teacher can become a daunting task to those not in the profession, but with the right guidance can afford you a career full of making a difference. Before deciding to go to school to start a career in education, think about these five things that most people don’t ever consider.

1. Once you work as a classroom teacher, it will be hard for you NOT to think about your students 24/7. During a regular school year teachers work with hundreds of students for at least 180 days a year. That means for 8 hours a day 180 days a year you are concerned with kids that are not your kids, but who will quickly become your own. You cry when they cry and you get mad when someone doesn’t look out for their well-being. You essentially become their school mom/dad. This is a huge responsibility that can sometimes drain you emotionally. Be prepared and respect the power that you have.

1. While teachers theoretically have time off during the summer, that time is consumed with trainings, unit planning and going to school to pursue advanced degrees.  During this time some teachers go to trainings to make sure that their certificates are renewable so they go to trainings that run the gauntlet of teaching pedagogy.
2. Be prepared to work long hours during the week- and weekends.  Even though on paper teachers work hours seem great, off the record they are long and sometimes tedious hours. Many teachers come to school by 7:30am and don’t leave until well after the school day is over.  When working with our students there are things that just can’t be accomplished during the school day such as parent phone calls, adjusting lessons and grading.
3. You will become that person who gives misbehaving kids the eye to make them suddenly behave.  While this can be amusing, there’s nothing worse than going into a public place and noticing a child who is misbehaving while their parents looks on helplessly. Once you start to work with kids on a regular basis you will find yourself giving those kids the eye that means they better start acting “right” or else. Fortunately this does not get better and the longer you work with kids the more you will notice that those kids misbehaving actually start listening to you.

Whether you’re seeking further success in your current role or a new opportunity, Kaplan University can help you prepare for the exciting possibilities ahead.*

As an accredited university built on 75 years of experience,† Kaplan University offers a wide range of career-focused programs designed to develop the skills and knowledge leading employers seek. Our focus: to offer you the most direct educational path to achieve your goals.

Are you ready for a change?  Learn more at kaplanuniversity.edu. 

* Kaplan University cannot guarantee employment or career advancement.

† Kaplan University is regionally accredited. Please visit http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/about/accreditation-licensing.aspx# for additional information about institutional and programmatic accreditation.