Education

Teachers can have great impact on the social, personal, and intellectual development of individuals.  Their influence stems from a love of learning; a talent for awakening students to new modes of thinking; an understanding of the human development process; and professional skills.  Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand their educational and emotional needs.  They also should be organized, dependable, patient, and creative.  A general description of teacher work activities includes:  planning courses; instructing students; evaluating student performance; supervising student activities; performing administrative duties; advising students; interacting with faculty, parents, and employers; and keeping up with developments in the field.

Teachers can be found in almost every sector of society, and they instruct a wide range of topics.  While specific course requirements vary among disciplines, most teachers will fulfill the academic requirements of a major in a chosen field; be literate in the history, philosophy, psychology, sociology and methodology of education; and have developed initial teaching skills through supervised clinical experiences.  Although certification is required for public school teachers (k-12) in all 50 states, some states offer alternative teacher certification programs to attract otherwise qualified persons into the field.  Aspiring teachers who need certification may also enter programs that grant a master's degree in education, as well as certification.

Most college and university faculty are in four academic ranks:  professor, associate professor, assistant professor, and instructor.  Four-year colleges and universities generally hire doctoral degree holders for full-time, tenure-track positions, but may hire master's degree holders or doctoral candidates for certain disciplines, such as the arts, or for part-time and temporary jobs.  In two-year colleges, master's degree holders often qualify for full-time positions.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
Examples of Job Titles for Education Majors:
Some of these jobs require education beyond the bachelor's degree; some of them rely upon the liberal arts component of the education major.
 
Related Career Titles for Education Majors
 

Adult Education Teacher Educational Resource Coordinator Media Center Specialist Student Admissions Administrator
Alumni Relations Coordinator Educational Therapist Missionary Worker Student Affairs Administrator
Athletic Coach Elementary School Teacher Physical Education Instructor Student Personnel Administrator
Athletic Director Employee Training Instructor Preschool Administrator Teacher, Adventure/Outdoor Education
Child Life Specialist Financial Aid Counselor Registrar/Admissions Director Teacher, Handicapped Students
Curriculum Specialist Grant Writer Religious Institution Education Coordinator Teacher, Industrial Arts
Day Care Administrator Guidance Counselor Resource Teacher Training Specialist
Education Management Specialist Historic Site Administrator School Psychologist Tutor
Educational Materials Sales Representative Instructor, College/University Secondary School Teacher Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Education and Training Administrator Kindergarten Teacher Social Services Volunteer (Vista/Americorps) Educational Administrator
Librarian Speech Pathologist Educational Researcher Library Consultant
Special Education Administrator      

Some Employers of Education Majors:
Business and Industry
Camps
Churches
Colleges and Universities
Community Centers
Educational Publishers
Hospitals
Libraries
Non Profits
Prisons
Public and Private Schools
State and Federal Government
Youth Services

EDUCATION WEB SITES

National Education Association - America's oldest and largest organization committed to advancing the cause of public education; a very comprehensive site of information about the teaching profession and current issues in the field.

Web66: International School Web Site Registry - Looking for a particular school district? You can find it here.

American School Directory - Information on every K-12 district in the country as well as useful resources for teachers

American Federation of Teachers* - The AFT has grown into an active trade union representing workers in education, health care, and public service. Today, the AFT continues to be known for its democratic ideals and its cutting-edge work on behalf of its members and the public they serve.

Teachers Helping Teachers* - A site for teachers by teachers. Resources include basic teaching tips to inexperienced teachers as well as a forum for experienced teachers to share their expertise and tips with colleagues around the world.

Association of Teacher Educators* - The Assocation of Teacher Educators was founded in 1920 and is the only national, individual membership organization devoted solely to the improvement of teacher education for both school and campus-based teacher educators.

US Department of Education* - The federal department working to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence for all Americans; a comprehensive resource for the profession.

American Education Research Association* - The American Educational Research Association is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results.

Education and Social Work Links - From UC Berkeley; informative links of career options within the education profession

Resources of Education Societies* - Resource list of internet sites for education organizations; from the University of Waterloo, Canada

Troops To Teachers - Troops to Teachers provides Referral Assistance and Placement services to service members and civilian employees of Department of Defense who are interested in beginning a second career in public education as teachers or teacher's aides.

American College Personnel Association* - The Comprehensive Student Affairs Association designed to serve all levels of higher education student affairs professionals through educational and developmental programs, publications and networking opportunities.

New York State Professions - License Requirements/Application Forms