First, teaching is a high calling - every bit as much as a doctor, lawyer, pastor, etc. If you don't feel that calling, don't even make the attempt. The most recent statistics are that new teachers (straight out of college) last about 3 years before changing careers. Your thoughts should be, "I get to be a teacher." Having said that, this year is the 27th year that I've had the privilege of being a teacher. 13 years at the college level and going on 14 years at the secondary level. For the majority of those years, I was the sole income provider for myself, my wife, and my four children. We weren't rich (that's definitely not why you teach) but, with proper planning and financial responsibility, we have led (and continue to lead) a very comfortable life. Just to recap: first - understand it is a calling, second - it can be a comfortable and very fulfilling career, third - plan appropriately, be fiscally responsible, and keep appropriate expectations, and a career in teaching can be wonderful!

One must know that this is a calling not just a job. One must teach from the heart and not the head. One must have pose, patience, understanding, compassion and a willing spirit to serve . These attributes will help you in any career.

As Eric said, teaching is not a profession to take lightly. Only go into it if you feel the call and know you will be dedicated to your class. No matter the age you teach, you are their first line of defense and their example. I have too seen too many people go into preschool and PreK settings saying that they were going to "see the year through" only to leave 2 or 3 months later, either when the going got tough, the routine got to be too much, or they got offered a better paying job. Teaching isn't for the faint of heart and it takes a lot of prep; it can be extremely challenging. I was in the field for 35 years and had to take a break every now and then, so I didn't burn out, but I always went back, even the year I finally retired. Please don't use the teaching profession as a "jumping off point," thinking that you are going to move on at your whim and leave devastated children behind.

I 100% agree! It's a calling. I have been a sub for almost a full year now. I love it! I have always wanted to be a teacher. It's a good fit for me. I am currently working towards becoming a certified teacher. No, you don't make a lot of money. As a sub, I spend a lot of my own money on my class. It's tuff in a lot of ways begin a teacher and I think those who go into this career for any other reasons than loving and wanting to help kids and make a difference will be very unhappy. Maybe if you just want to see what it would be like then sign up to be a sub you don't have to take on any long-term commitment you work when you want to work and the days you want to work.

It may not. Teaching today is a very tough job. You take a lot of crap from kids and their parents. It could help if you plan to be a trainer. You need to have solid methodology and consistent discipline.

Whether you do it intentionally or not, you inspire others just for being you. You inspire kids to do their best when you do your best. You inspire your colleagues to work hard when you work hard. You inspire everybody around you to be happy, positive, creative, and energeticp

When you begin teaching, you learn very quickly what works and what doesn't work: how to keep the students engaged, what inspires them, how to master classroom rules, and you start to put your own style into teaching. It takes awhile. After many years and throwing out the lessons that didn't work, you have gained skills and knowledge in the art of teaching.

It depends upon your personal career goals in education. Some people prefer to teach on the corporate level, so they become corporate trainers. Usually, these are people that leave their school district. You may also consider starting your own tutoring business via the internet or at home. Others use this as a launching pad for moving up the school career ladder if they prefer to stay in their school districts. For example, some people start as teachers and then later become school counselors, assistant principals, or the principal. Some may become resource teachers (a teacher who teachers other teachers how to better instruct students). Of course the better your bi-annual evaluations are the easier it will be to "move up the ladder." Work hard to earn a good reputation while climbing that "ladder".

You always need to know more than your students, so you need to study a lot! Not just your field but more languages, more books to read, etc... A teacher is a person who molds others careers.

Teaching is more than a career. Not everyone can be a good teacher. What is a career to you? Teaching means dedication, compassion, creativity, love, understanding, and a real feel for students to become a success in life. If you’re in it for the money… you’re in the wrong place and profession.