If you haven't yet obtained a teaching degree, keep in mind that most states in the United States require educators in their public schools to be certified and licensed in the age levels that they teach. This generally requires at least 1 year of education and student teaching in addition to course study. If you want to teach secondary school (generally grades 7-12), you may need to have an undergraduate degree in the area you wish to teach like math, history, science etc. If you have not yet started your education journey towards you educational degree, you need to start deciding what area you might like to teach and realize there are lots of choices.

There are also opportunities in the field of education that aren't within the realms of educating America's school aged children. Many educators are needed in the business arena as trainers and corporate teachers. You can also gain advanced college degrees and work on a college campus as a college professor or instructor. There are so many choices in this vast and amazing field of learning.

Job Outlook for Teachers is Good

Generally, being a teacher offers job security and stability. However, in the last few years the horrible economic recession that we have just passed through has deeply impacted public education. Many states have had to lay off teachers due to huge state deficits. So, even this field of stability can be impacted by economic upheaval. That being said, for traditional teachers of school aged children, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that job growth will be at about 13 percent between now and 2018, because Americans keep having kids, and those kids need teachers to teach them.

Salaries for Teachers are Stable

Teachers make stable and good salaries. There is variance is salaries according to the state that a teacher is often employed in, especially if they work for public schools. In 2008, public school teachers had salaries varying between $47,000 and $51,000 annually, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Education for Educators

There are great degree programs available for teachers in all areas. Some of these programs are being made available online. Be sure that you check to make sure your teaching program is accredited with the state or area that you wish to become employed as a teacher, especially if you want to work in public schools.