Is work suffocating you? It might be time for a career change. Though a major career shift might be difficult and daunting, the vast rewards can make up for the hardship. For those who choose a teaching career, the benefits are significant.

Why a Teaching Career?
Teaching provides a dynamic, challenging atmosphere and the assurance that no two days may ever be the same. Teachers are on the front lines of the futures of countless children, serving not only as instructors, but as counselors, mentors, and inspirations. Teachers help students choose the paths of their own future careers and give them the basic tools to move forward toward those dreams. In the world of potential careers, teaching is an adventure.

Changing Lanes: Tips for Career Change
Are you unsure of your career change? Consider the following before you take the plunge:

• Which of your skills may transfer to a new job? Make a list of your strengths and brainstorm what you can do with them. Be honest about your weaknesses, too.
• What are you passionate about? Is there something you have always wanted to do but thought it was beyond your reach? A career change can make that dream a reality.
• Can you afford to make the change? If you are going back to college full-time or cutting back on your work hours, your finances could take a hit. Sit down with your budget and figure out how much you can afford. Consider every scenario--full time college, part-time classes, online work, or something else?
• As you are choosing your new career path, do your research. For a teaching career, where would you like to serve? Private schools, charter schools, or public schools? Perhaps there are other options? Have an idea of where you're headed, and your path to that new career should be smoother.

Options for Teacher Schools
In order to teach others, you may have to go back to the classroom yourself. How long the process takes depends on the amount of experience and educational background you already have. The following are the most common pathways to teacher education.

• Traditional Degree. If you are going to college for the first time, a bachelor's degree is typically required to start your teaching career. You can choose to get this degree in a classroom setting, or you can opt for the online option.
• Online Degree. Obtaining a degree through online work is becoming an increasingly popular option. It is especially convenient for those who are looking to change careers but don't have the time to attend classes in the traditional college setting.

For those who already have some college education, there are certification options that would cut down considerably on class time--and get you on track to that career change much sooner.

• Alternative Certification. If you already have experience in a field that would translate well to teaching, you might have an edge on the competition. For example, if you were working as a computer programmer in your previous job, your skills could translate well to advanced computer classes at the secondary school level. If you already have your bachelor's degree, alternative certification can allow you to get your accelerated degree to teach in a fraction of the time.
• Provisional Certification. If you already have a strong educational background, some school districts may allow you to obtain provisional certification to teach. This includes taking the required teacher education courses and teaching under supervision for one to two years before obtaining your certificate to teach.

How Much Money Can a Teacher Make?
The money teachers bring home depends upon the grade level they teach and specific skills that might bolster their resumes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), preschool teachers made an average yearly income of $23,870 in 2008. Teachers who taught on the secondary level made twice as much: an average of $51,180 per year in 2008. Teachers can boost their income even higher by getting a master's degree or teaching special programs, such as summer school.

Kick Off Your Teaching Career
Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of those who look to you for information and inspiration? Choose the appropriate teacher schools for your career plans and start on the pathway to helping your new students achieve their dreams, too.

Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years. The education that teachers impart plays a key role in determining the future prospects of their students. Whether in preschools or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults.

Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, or English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student’s performance and potential and increasingly are asked to use new assessment methods. For example, teachers may examine a portfolio of a student’s artwork or writing in order to judge the student’s overall progress. They then can provide additional assistance in areas in which a student needs help. Teachers also grade papers, prepare report cards, and meet with parents and school staff to discuss a student’s academic progress or personal problems.

Many teachers use a “hands-on” approach that uses “props” or “manipulatives” to help children understand abstract concepts, solve problems, and develop critical thought processes. For example, they teach the concepts of numbers or of addition and subtraction by playing board games. As the children get older, teachers use more sophisticated materials, such as science apparatus, cameras, or computers. They also encourage collaboration in solving problems by having students work in groups to discuss and solve problems together. To be prepared for success later in life, students must be able to interact with others, adapt to new technology, and think through problems logically.

Middle school teachers and secondary school teachers help students delve more deeply into subjects introduced in elementary school and expose them to more information about the world. Middle and secondary school teachers specialize in a specific subject, such as English, Spanish, mathematics, history, or biology. They also may teach subjects that are career oriented. Vocational education teachers, also referred to as career and technical or career-technology teachers, instruct and train students to work in a wide variety of fields, such as healthcare, business, auto repair, communications, and, increasingly, technology. They often teach courses that are in high demand by area employers, who may provide input into the curriculum and offer internships to students. Many vocational teachers play an active role in building and overseeing these partnerships. Additional responsibilities of middle and secondary school teachers may include career guidance and job placement, as well as follow-ups with students after graduation. (Special education teachers—who instruct elementary and secondary school students who have a variety of disabilities—are discussed separately in this section of the Handbook.)

In addition to conducting classroom activities, teachers oversee study halls and homerooms, supervise extracurricular activities, and accompany students on field trips. They may identify students with physical or mental problems and refer the students to the proper authorities. Secondary school teachers occasionally assist students in choosing courses, colleges, and careers. Teachers also participate in education conferences and workshops.

Computers play an integral role in the education teachers provide. Resources such as educational software and the Internet expose students to a vast range of experiences and promote interactive learning. Through the Internet, students can communicate with other students anywhere in the world, allowing them to share experiences and differing viewpoints. Students also use the Internet for individual research projects and to gather information. Computers are used in other classroom activities as well, from solving math problems to learning English as a second language. Teachers also may use computers to record grades and perform other administrative and clerical duties. They must continually update their skills so that they can instruct and use the latest technology in the classroom.

Teachers often work with students from varied ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds. With growing minority populations in most parts of the country, it is important for teachers to work effectively with a diverse student population. Accordingly, some schools offer training to help teachers enhance their awareness and understanding of different cultures. Teachers may also include multicultural programming in their lesson plans, to address the needs of all students, regardless of their cultural background.

In recent years, site-based management, which allows teachers and parents to participate actively in management decisions regarding school operations, has gained popularity. In many schools, teachers are increasingly involved in making decisions regarding the budget, personnel, textbooks, curriculum design, and teaching methods.