Summary

At CFI, we help Christians discern meaningful, impactful careers tackling pressing problems. We think that teaching can be an impactful role, and a profession that has significant potential for influencing future generations. However, this profession has considerable drawbacks; it is essential to understand its nuances and limitations before embarking on this path.

This in-depth guide explains teaching roles.

Introduction

Teaching involves facilitating learning development across various educational settings. This includes primary and seschools, colleges and universities, and non-traditional educational environments. Teachers are responsible for sharing knowledge, and supporting the personal development of students.

In a U.S. context, the primary setting for teachers is K-12 Education, which involves working with students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Teachers develop lesson plans, assess student progress, and support overall student development.

How promising is teaching?

Advantages

Direct Influence: Teachers have a profound impact on their students' lives, offering a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
Variety of Roles: Teaching opportunities exist in various settings and instruction areas, so there is a degree of flexibility.

Holiday: One of the appealing aspects of teaching is having two months off during the summer, which can be used for rest, personal projects, or additional income opportunities. We recommend that teachers use this time to build other skills or pursue impactful projects because the time at your disposal offers additional opportunities to be effective. For instance, Andy Masley, a former high school teacher used this time to launch a teaching IB Physics Youtube Channel. Andy has found that through this channel he has reached many more people and had a more scalable impact with his 28,000+ subscribers and frequent spotlight of GiveWell charities.
Pensions and Benefits: Some states offer pension plans, though this is becoming less common. Teachers often receive other benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

Disadvantages

Compensation and Career Advancement: While average teacher salaries are around $60,000 annually in the U.S., with summers off, the pay isn't exceptional, and the upward potential in terms of salary is limited. Higher-paying roles, such as principals or superintendents, are available but require additional qualifications and experience.
Workload and Stress: Teaching involves significant time commitment for lesson planning, grading, and student support. The workload can extend beyond classroom and paid hours.
Emotional Demands: Managing a diverse classroom and addressing various student needs can be emotionally taxing, especially in environments with disadvantaged students and undersupported teachers
Upward Mobility: The top end of the salary spectrum for teaching roles is limited compared to other professions. Moving into roles such as that of principal or superintendent can offer higher pay but requires extensive experience.
Career Capital: Teaching is considered low in career capital, meaning it may be challenging to transition into other careers without gaining additional skills or experience. This is why we recommend using the extended Summer holiday to build other skills, following Andy Masley’s lead.

Is It A Good Fit For You?

Traits that Indicate a Good Fit:

Extroversion: In-person teaching requires spending many hours every day interacting with other people.
Patience and Empathy: Essential for addressing diverse student needs and learning styles.
Passion for Education: A strong desire to support and guide students through their learning journey.
Effective Communication: The ability to explain concepts clearly and engage with students.

Potential Dealbreakers:

Discomfort with Public Speaking and Social Interaction: Regular interaction with students and presentation skills are crucial.
Desire to Take Risks: Teachers usually must follow set curriculums and have relatively little freedom to redesign pedagogical style.
Focus on Scale: Most classrooms are capped at around 20-30 students, making it challenging to impact larger quantities of students through your work.
Difficulty Managing Stress: The demands of teaching can be intense and challenging to handle.

How Can You Test Personal Fit?

Classroom Observation: Spend time observing or volunteering in educational settings to get a sense of the teaching environment.

Teaching Internships: Gain hands-on experience through internships or student teaching roles.
Education Courses: Enroll in education-related courses to understand the field you are interested in teaching better.

The Impact of A Phenomenal Teacher?

The Role of a Teacher in Student Success:

Long-Term Economic Impact: Having a better teacher might have a profound impact on a student's future earnings. For example, one study purported that better fourth-grade teacher can improve a child’s lifetime earning prospects by an estimated $80,000, however this is complicated by many factors (explanation here).
Highly-Talented Students: Exceptional students often excel regardless of the quality of their teachers, but a great teacher can still enhance their learning and future success. However, the marginal impact may be smaller compared to students in more disadvantaged situations. Exceptional students tend to already benefit from high intrinsic motivation, strong family support, and external resources, so while a great teacher can boost their outcomes, the difference may not be as marked as for less advantaged students.
Disadvantaged Students: These students often face significant barriers to success, such as limited resources and fewer opportunities outside the classroom. A phenomenal teacher can be a crucial intervention, helping to close achievement gaps and significantly improving these students' life prospects. The impact of a great teacher in these contexts can be transformative, potentially breaking cycles of poverty and increasing social mobility.

How Much Do Teachers Matter Compared to Other Factors?

Impact on Test Scores: Studies consistently show that teachers account for about 1% to 14% of the variance in student test scores, with most estimates around 5% to 20%. While this might seem modest, it is significant when considering the multitude of factors influencing student outcomes. Moreover, while individual student abilities and demographics often have a larger impact, teachers can still push students' performance higher or lower depending on their effectiveness.

Where Can a Great Teacher Do the Most Good?

High-Impact Potential Students: One argument is that, if well-taught, these students could go on to become future leaders or innovators, making a substantial difference in the world. However, since their success is often less dependent on teaching quality, the marginal impact of a great teacher might be limited.

Replacement Value: In high-performing schools with talented students, it is likely that another competent teacher would step in if one great teacher leaves. However, in disadvantaged schools, the difference between a phenomenal teacher and an average or underqualified one can be stark, with few strong replacements available.
Neglected Students in Disadvantaged Areas: On the other hand, placing phenomenal teachers in disadvantaged areas could yield higher marginal returns. These students often have untapped potential that a great teacher can unlock.

Teacher Pay

Overview of Teacher Pay:

Teaching in the U.S. offers a stable but modest salary compared to many other professions. Here’s a breakdown:

Average Salary: As of recent data, the average salary for a K-12 teacher in the U.S. is around $60,000 per year. This includes elementary, middle, and high school teachers.
Regional Variations: Teacher pay can vary significantly by state and district. For example, teachers in states like Illinois, New York, Michigan, and Washington often earn higher salaries compared to those in states like Hawaii and Maine. This variation also accounts for the cost of living in different regions.

More information on the regional variations of salaries can be found here. Note that in the US, teacher pay is often circumscribed by county so moving job may mean forfeiting a tier on the salary schedule.

Strategies for Maximizing Teacher Pay

Higher pay can boost your earning-to-give potential, which is another means through which to have impact.

Seek Higher-Paying States: Consider teaching in states with higher salaries and better benefits. Research and compare salaries and cost of living to find the most financially viable options using articles such as this.
Pursue Advanced Qualifications: Earning a master’s degree in education or educational leadership can open doors to roles with higher pay and increased influence, such as Principal positions.
Explore Additional Opportunities: Use summer breaks and other time off to build additional skills for your future career steps or engage in side projects that could lead to higher earning potential.

Strategies and Next Steps

Getting into the Field:

Educational Requirements: Many states require a bachelor’s degree in education or related fields, with additional certification exams. Pursuing a master’s in education or educational leadership can open pathways to higher-paying roles.
Researching avenues: Assessing the different pathways into teaching beyond graduating. In the UK, there are opportunities such as TeachFirst.

Additional Resources:

Andy Masley, former high-school teacher, transitioned towards teaching online on Youtube to have a more scalable impact

Exploring why teaching may not be the most impactful career on 80,000 Hours website

80,000 Hours Podcast with Dr Rachel Glennerster, Chief Economist at the UK’s Foreign Aid Agency DFID, on the impact of education interventions

Summing Up

Teaching roles:

Are diverse and can have a meaningful impact
Can have direct influence on student’s lives
Offer modest pay and a heavy workload
Require experience and additional education to boost pay

Need help discerning your career? Sign up for our free one-on-one impact mentorship here.

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Do you have any career uncertainties? Click here to read our article on three big career uncertainties you can trust God with.

Should you be a Christian Teacher?

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