How to Jumpstart Your Career in Education

How to Jumpstart Your Career in EducationMaybe youre looking for your career path in general, and think that youd be well-suited to working in a classroom. Or maybe you already work in an educational role, and are feeling a little stagnant. Either way, its time for your next step, and weve got the tips and information you need to move on in your educational career. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) What Do Educational Professionals Do?You probably know that educators teach. They also plan, manage, coach, administer, organize, troubleshoot, advise, and assist. Whether working with the tiniest of preschoolers or the elderly woman going back to finish her degree, educators can be found in many different types and levels of schooling. Before you take your first (or next) step in the education world, its important to see whats out there.Primary/Elementary LevelAt the early childhood education/elementary school level, there are many different ki nds of roles available. There are classroom teachers, of course, but also different kinds of staff that contribute to the overall running of the school.Preschool teacheransicht are classroom educators who work with young children (pre-kindergarten).Elementary school teacherbehauptung teachers work with students from kindergarten through approximately grade 5 (depending on the school).Paraprofessional/teaching assistantThese are classroom aides who work with teachers on classroom maintenance, lessons, and administrative tasks.AdministratorPrincipal, vice principal, superintendent, or other administrative leadership positionSubstitute teacherThis is a floating teacher who titels other teachers absences.Reading/literacy specialistThis is an educator who works on reading comprehension and development directly with students.Special education teacherThese educators work with students who have special physical or emotional education needs.Secondary LevelAt the secondary level, educators wo rk with middle and high school students. Teachers are often subject-matter specific (math, science, history, language arts, etc.) and specialize in specific student areas.Middle school teacherThese teachers work with students from approximately grades 6 through 8 (depending on the school). Rather than teach multiple disciplines in a single classroom, these teachers often specialize in subject matter (reading/language arts, history, math, science, etc.)High school teacherThese teachers work with students from approximately grades 9 through 12 (depending on the school). Rather than teach multiple disciplines in a single classroom, these teachers often specialize in subject matter (reading/language arts, history, math, science, etc.)AdministratorThese are principals, vice principals, superintendents, or other administrative leadership positions.Substitute teacherThis is a floating teacher who covers other teachers absences.Foreign language teacherThese are teachers who specialize in te aching languages other than English.Reading/literacy specialistThis is an educator who works on reading comprehension and development directly with students.Special education teacherThese educators work with students who have special physical or emotional education needs.Educational SupportNot all educators or educational staff are found in the classroom. These professionals work at schools in erleichterung roles.CounselorThese are professionals who can advise students on personal matters, or help them with academic plans and progress.School librarianThese professionals manage a schools library (also sometimes known as media centers), and work with students on reading and research.ESL teacherThese are classroom teachers who work with students who speak a language other than English as their primary languageCollege/Postsecondary LevelThere are many educational career opportunities at the college level as well. Educators can work at community colleges, colleges and universities, allie d health schools, professional colleges, and online schools/programs.Adjunct professorThese are teachers and lecturers who may teach classes and work for the school on a part-time or non-tenure basis.Associate Professor/ProfessorThese are educators who teach in specific disciplines as full employees of a college or university. They are often subject matter experts with experience in advanced academics or real-world applications of the field.Administrator Colleges and universities are often large bodies, with many different departments and programs. Administrators work in education, but are often more behind the scenes to make sure programs are developed, budgeted, maintained, and running smoothly.How Much Do Educators Get Paid?Salary and benefits for educational jobs depend on many different factors what the role is, where youre located, the level of education needed at an entry level, and how much experience the person already has. It can vary, but here are some example median sala ries for jobs in the field, per PayScaleElementary School Teacher $43,697Middle School Teacher $45,879High School Teacher $48,072Preschool Teacher $29,592Special Education Teacher $45,011ESL Teacher $40,658School Counselor $48,217Administrator, Elementary and Secondary School $67,202Paraprofessional $18,339Adjunct Professor, College $30,313Professor, College $85,697School Librarian/Media Center Specialist $45,388How Do I Become an Educator?Just about all of the roles outlined above require specialized education before you can start a job. In some cases, you can finish your degree after you start working (for example, you can finish a Masters while teaching in some states), but in most cases a four-year degree or a program-specific certificate is a baseline necessity to become a teacher or an administrator at any education level.Each state also has its own requirements for certifying educators, particularly teachers and paraprofessionals. Many states require teachers to pass exams li ke the Praxis before they are fully certified. Some states, like New York and Texas, have their own state-specific exams as well. So once youve decided to go into the educational field, its important to check with your states Department of Education to see what kind of certification will be required for the role you want.How Do I Get the Education Job I Want?Once youve got your degree, maybe done an internship, and passed your certification with flying colors, you still have a very important hurdle the job hunt. The educational job hunt isnt too different from the application processes youve seen before, although you can expect to face extra-thorough background checks, particularly if youre looking for a job on the elementary or secondary school level.Get Your Resume In ShapeAs with any job hunt, you want your resume to be stellar and attention-catching for all the right reasons. If youre already in the field, youll want to emphasize your experience. If youre just starting out, dont hesitate to include any volunteer experience. For examples of teaching resumes for reference as you craft your own, click here.Write Your Cover LetterAlthough education has gone as digital as many other industries, you can really make your application package stand out with a great cover letter. Its your chance to add context to your resume, and give the reader a stronger sense of who you are, and what youd bring to your job in education. For examples of educator cover letters, click here.The Bottom LineIf youre considering a career in education, it could be a great option because its a field where you can build skills and take them with you to the next step. And there are always paths for moving up. Say you start as a paraprofessional, and decide you want to pursue life in the classroom, so you become a teacher. A few years later, you decide you want to work in a more administrative role, so you start looking at vice principal jobs. The skills and experience youve built along the way make you a seasoned professional with valuable expertise.Similarly, there are plenty of outlets if you decide that a certain segment of education just isnt for you. If teaching third graders isnt what you thought it would be, maybe you can take your science whiz skills to a middle school Earth Science classroom, or teach chemistry at the local community college. There are so many options available that you can make a varied, satisfying career in education that works best for your skills and your goals.