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Pursuing a Texas teacher certification is not only a commitment to a new profession, but also a dedication to education and learning. Below are some reasons to consider why a Texas teacher certification would be a valuable and rewarding career change.
- There is a demand for qualified and committed teachers and other men and women wanting to pursue a Texas teacher certification. As of 1998, nearly half of the nation’s teachers were over 45, which suggest that approximately two million teachers will be needed in the next decade. This growing teacher shortage is a real problem that is facing our education system, and it is of growing importance that our lawmakers and officials take measures to attract brighter, motivated people to the teaching profession. Teacher retention is also a problem that contributes to the growing teacher shortage. Approximately one third of new teachers quit during their first three years on the job, and almost half leave the profession within the first five years. These statistics certainly suggest a need for systematic reform that may seem daunting to aspiring teachers; however, they also speak to what a challenge it is to teach successfully and what a champion it makes you if you do succeed in this endeavor.
- By having a Texas teacher certification, you become part of the solution to society’s overwhelming problems. The importance of high-quality education and teachers in today’s society. Teachers can often feel marginalized, particularly in comparison to their educated peers who out-earn them in corporate jobs, but it is important to remember that teachers are the cornerstone of our society. Without effective teachers, there would be no easy access to information that is required for each individual’s success. The fact that teachers are the link to essential information makes them front-and-center in the collective effort to ensure a bright future for our society.
- By pursuing a Texas teacher certification, you are not only making a change in your life; you will be making a change in the lives of countless school age children. The ability of teachers to profoundly impact lives of individual children. Once children reach school age, they begin to spend more time with their teachers than their parents. This means that teachers are not only assessors to information for students, but teachers also play a significant role in the emotional, intellectual, and social development of each student they encounter. William Butler Yeats, the poet, once said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” Indeed, giving students the knowledge and skills they need to succeed as adults, by urging them to pursue their dreams, and by role modeling a joy that comes from lifetime learning, teachers are limitless in their ability to touch lives. And considering that someone with a Texas teacher certificate affects over 3,000 kids over the course of their careers, the ripple effect of a single teacher can be astounding.
- How you benefit by becoming a teacher. Aside from the pride that comes from doing such rewarding work, a Texas teacher certification has some substantial perks, most notably, the school schedule. Obviously, the most rewarding part of becoming a Texas teacher is the opportunity to help kids and change lives. Ask any adult who they credit their life successes to and the answer is one or several committed teachers who in some way, directly or indirectly, helped them realize their goals. Teachers can use summer breaks, winter breaks, and spring breaks to pursue other interests, such as writing, research, art, travel, or any number of other things. Teachers can also use this time for professional development opportunities, supplement their income by taking another job, or have time for volunteer projects.
No matter what stage you are in your life, a Texas teacher certification will give you the opportunity to put your abilities to maximum use. If you think you have what it takes to be a teacher, consider becoming part of the solution to the growing teacher shortage in Texas. There is no such thing as being over-qualified for teaching.
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