Here are the examples of career advancement teachers can do for more opportunities to become open to them. Everyone needs to grow and get their careers advanced or expanded in terms of the value of income or profit or prestige they should incur.
As a teacher, it is known that the attending society that we live in today does not in anyway respect or accord so much dignity to the profession of teaching; thus, there is the responsibility which is placed on a teacher to want to make the necessary steps of extending just beyond the skills of reeling out knowledge in class by words of mouth and scribbling notes on the board using chalks.
If you’re a teacher seeking a shift in your career, it may be helpful to review a few possibilities for advancement. In this article, we explain what advancement opportunities for teachers are, why teachers pursue career advancement and outline six unique opportunities available in the industry.
Reasons Why Teachers Should Upgrade Their Career
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Professional Satisfaction
Since career advancement often allows teachers to develop professionally, take on additional responsibilities and earn higher rates of compensation, these opportunities can offer increased satisfaction. Through their new roles, teachers may feel more valued and content with their ability to contribute to the field of education.
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New Responsibilities
While many teachers enjoy working directly with students in the classroom, it’s common for these professionals to pursue career advancement opportunities so they can take on new responsibilities beyond instruction. For instance, some roles, including those in specialization and leadership, allow educational professionals to make a significant difference in an institution’s quality of instruction while still working in their field.
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Higher Salary
Some teachers pursue career advancement opportunities, as they can offer higher rates of compensation. Roles that involve specialization, leadership and administration typically require specific skills and knowledge for which professionals may receive advanced salaries.
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- Development
Teachers often have a growth-oriented mindset and are eager to develop professionally through additional education, certification and training so they can offer more to the students they serve. Advancement opportunities commonly offer teachers the ability to hone their skills and deepen their competencies.
Career Advancement Opportunities
- Specialization
Within the field of education, there are a number of specialist roles that are distinct from typical classroom instruction. These include literacy specialist, STEAM specialist, curriculum specialist, and instructional support specialist roles, and more. While the specific duties will vary depending on the type of specialist role, these positions exist to provide support to teachers and students alike.
Literacy specialist–Offering educators an in-depth study of teaching, learning, and literacy leadership, literacy specialist certification enables classroom teachers like you to explore literacy issues related to elementary, middle, and high school students. In many cases, literacy specialists will practice with an emphasis on issues related to struggling readers.
- Alternate Paths
There are various other career advancement opportunities available for teachers outside of the education field. Teachers interested in transitioning out of the classroom and making larger shifts in their careers may be able to apply their skills in different industries.
- School Administration
Some teachers choose to advance their careers by transitioning out of the classroom and into administrative roles as superintendents, deans, directors of admissions, school leaders, principals or assistant principals. While leaving the classroom can be challenging for some, such opportunities can offer professionals the ability to set and achieve high-level goals that make a tangible difference in a school community.
Through administrative positions, these professionals can focus on cultivating a productive, supportive and healthy educational environment for instructors, students and their parents.
- Counseling
Teachers invested in the social-emotional health of their students can pursue career advancement through school counseling roles. These positions may allow teachers to focus on supporting students’ well-being more holistically than they can in the classroom.
By becoming a school counselor, teachers often opt out of in-classroom responsibilities and instead center their efforts on advocating for students socially, emotionally and academically.
To do this, school counselors may collaborate with others like teachers, administrators and parents to understand issues and identify methods for helping students develop core skills, overcome personal challenges and progress educationally.
- Departmental Leadership
Generally speaking, education professionals in these positions act as liaisons between teachers and the administration. They may facilitate regular meetings to collaborate on things like curriculum, assessment practices, and school/department policies. The overarching goal of this role is to provide support for other teachers, helping to foster a positive atmosphere.
Teachers who exhibit leadership qualities and a strong command of their subjects are prime candidates for these positions. Some school districts will select classroom instructors to serve in dual roles as teacher and department head. Others hire individuals at the administrative level. The latter requires a master’s degree.
- Higher Education
Teachers in K-12 environments may choose to pursue advancement through careers in higher education. These careers can include teaching positions—such as professorships—or administrative roles through which professionals can support faculty and students.
Through professorships, educators can teach different courses in their discipline of choice, mentor students and perform research.
Alternatively, through administrative roles, educators have various options and may assume positions coordinating academic programming, supporting faculty in certain departments, offering academic advising services or assisting with student experience and residential life initiatives.
