Why do you want to teach? If you want to teach strictly for the money, then you are better off getting your college degree in something other than education and teaching. Salaries for teachers in the public school system are based on fiscal public budgets. Salaries at private schools are typically higher but these are also subject to institution budgets. Teachers usually do more than one job in order to supplement and make a living income. Your college degree in education and teaching gives you a well-rounded foundation so that you can find other sources of income. Teachers are usually driven by a need to share knowledge with others for their success and their monetary goals come second.

Do you have what it takes to be a teacher? An effective educator spends a significant amount of time in lesson preparation. This is effectively unpaid time as it is usually done after hours and at home. Lesson preparation should get easier over time as the educator usually builds a library of teaching aids, exercises, tests, handouts, and visuals from prior lessons and re-uses the material. However initially, building your tool collection after getting your college degree takes time and effort and it is all unpaid. Educators also have a drop of their income during the three months of summer break for most schools in the United States.

What domestic opportunities are available to you as a teacher after you get your college degree? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be many more jobs available in the near future because so many of the teachers from the Baby Boomer generation will be reaching retirement age. The bureau also points out that there will be more opportunities within the inner-city schools than in the suburban schools. Inner-city areas typically have the greatest need for educators but can be very stressful environments. Again, this is why your motivation to teach should be much more than just the money.

Have you ever thought of teaching internationally after you get your college degree? Most seeking a college degree in teaching and education think of opportunities only in terms of what is available in their local town. However there are numerous opportunities in foreign lands for English and general subject educators. For example, a science teacher can work at an international school located in practically every major city across the globe. International schools cater to the needs of foreign diplomats and expatriates whose kids need an education equivalent to what they would receive in their home country. Usually, education programs at international schools are conducted totally in English.

The type of college degree you need for educating depends on the type of school and student demographic. For example, at the university level you will probably need a master’s degree whereas an associate’s degree might be all that is needed for pre-school ages. However, a college degree is just the beginning for an educator. Many are required to attend additional classes for getting their educator’s license beyond those required for their college degree. In other words, educators are always attending some type of professional development class in order to stay up-to-date with the latest information regarding education.