CAREER ADVICE

The Learning Connection

 You’ve watched this person in action for 12 years.  You may have even taken him or her for granted as you graduated from elementary school to middle school to high school.  This person is a teacher.  Now that you are in high school and thinking very seriously about the career that’s in your future, perhaps you might explore the career of teacher. 

Teachers at all levels instruct students in academic subjects.  They do much more than teach.  They spend time preparing lessons, researching the material that will be taught, correcting homework, preparing and scoring tests, counseling students, talking to parents, meeting with other teachers and the principal. Teachers attend conferences and are involved in coaching, helping sponsor clubs and activities as well as attending events at the school.

Joyce Jeanblanc, teacher at Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School believes teaching requires a high energy level and is never boring. She said, “Watching students as they learn new skills and gain confidence in their abilities is one of the things I enjoy the most about teaching.” 

The job is not an “8 to 4” job.  The constant activity in the school and interaction with so many people require that the teacher needs to be flexible and willing to spend extra time beyond the teaching day. Teachers are role models, often becoming the one person who has the most positive impact on a young person.  If you are looking for a career that is action packed and one that is rewarding in many ways, you might consider becoming a teacher.  

Teachers are expected to have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.  Teachers must complete an approved teacher-training program.  They must also be licensed by the state of Iowa.  Those studying to become teachers will specialize in elementary education or secondary education.  It is necessary for teachers to have many skills, some of which are problem solving, teamwork, decision making, time management, communication and a strong aptitude in general learning ability.  Students and teachers alike might also add that teachers must possess a high degree of patience and perseverance.  Teachers must be innovative and use a variety of teaching techniques.

The average levels of Work Keys for teachers are: 

• Applied Mathematics:  5

• Applied Technology:  4

• Listening:  4

• Locating Information:  4

• Observation:  5

• Reading for Information:  5

• Teamwork:  5

• Writing:  5

Work Keys® assessments are tests that measure transferable work skills in eight different areas.  (To learn more about Work Keys, click on this web site: http://www.act.org/workkeys/education/index.html.)

What does the future hold teachers in employment opportunities?  Many people are predicting there will be a shortage of teachers in the foreseeable future in the Cedar Rapids area.  The growth rate is predicted to be at eight percent.  This means qualified teachers should have no trouble finding a job here.  The average annual wage for elementary teachers in this area is $33,842 and $34,965 for secondary school teachers.

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