5 Lies About Teaching (and Why They're Just Myths)
- Teaching Myths
- Truths about Teaching
- Explore the Profession
Reality: Some teachers have a degree in education, but many do not! You can become a teacher with a degree in the subject you want to teach. You can also become a teacher if you majored in a related field. Say you have a degree in engineering—you could end up teaching math! You may just need to take an extra course or two, take and pass a subject matter test, or some combination of the two.
Reality: While teaching may not be a “get rich fast” career path, teachers’ starting salaries and average salaries are comparable to similar professional fields.
There are also plenty of opportunities to advance your career as an educator, not to mention that when compared to other full-time positions in other fields who work year round, teachers work about 180 days a year.
$66,000 is the average salary for teachers across the country.(1) Like other jobs, you can grow in the field as you gain more expertise and experience. You can also earn additional income as a master teacher, curriculum specialist, principal or other leadership role.
Being an educator also comes with benefits like job security, robust retirement plans, and comprehensive healthcare benefits. AND you get to do work that not only matters right now, but has long-lasting impacts!
Do you want to learn more? Check out our page on Salary and Benefits!
Political commentary might make it seem like teachers aren’t respected. But some of the most beloved characters in popular culture are teachers. Think Mr. Feeny, Dumbledore, Mr. Miyagi, Miss Honey. A certain lovable Ms. Frizzle? The examples are endless.
Think about the most influential figures from your own childhood—we can almost guarantee one of them was a teacher who motivated you and made you feel capable. Do you feel a deep sense of respect for them?
If pop culture and anecdotal evidence are not enough, we have data. A 2022 study indicated that 82% of people consider teaching to be one of the most respectable professions.(2) Pretty solid evidence, if we do say so.
Reality: While teachers, like every other profession, have certain guidelines they need to follow, such as curricula and educational standards, teaching also has room for creativity and personalization in the classroom.
You can play around with different teaching methods and styles, design lessons to cater to your students’ interests and needs or use different technologies to engage your students. And there’s much more where that came from! As a teacher, you’ll do much more than just “transmit” knowledge. You’ll have the freedom to create engaging and supportive learning environments where your students can thrive.
Teachers also get to be part of a larger, collaborative process with colleagues, parents and administrators. That can lead to new curriculum developments, policy discussions and school improvement initiatives.
You don’t need to be an extrovert to be a teacher. Teachers come in all shapes, colors, and personalities. Introverts can connect with students on a personal level, engage in one-on-one interactions and create meaningful relationships.
Effective teachers create learning environments where students can actively engage with the material, reflect on and take ownership of their own learning. If you can provide active listening, empathy and understanding of individual student needs, you’ll do just fine.
Rest assured—whatever your personality is like, you can find a teaching style that works for you!