The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that job prospects for teachers should be "good to excellent" in the years ahead. What's more, some cities are providing some fairly appealing perks to those interested in pursuing teaching careers in their school districts.
The City of New York, for example, recently announced that it would offer a $14,600 housing subsidy to qualified teachers who moved to their school districts to pursue teaching careers.
Why is there such a shortage of teachers? The BLS attributes it to the high number of teachers who are expected to retire over the next decade. There is also the need to replace those leaving the field to pursue other careers.
Credentials for a Teaching Career
Because of the teacher shortage, many areas are relaxing their requirements for new teachers. If you have a bachelor's degree, some school districts will allow you to begin teaching, so long as you complete your teaching credential within a specified time. It's worth noting, however, that some states still maintain higher educational requirements for teachers, such as completion of a master's teaching degree program.
Advantages of Master's Level Teaching Degrees
Some teachers choose to earn their master's degree in education even if their state doesn't require it. All things being equal, teachers with higher degrees typically earn more than their less educated colleagues. With a master's teaching degree, you can pursue higher-level jobs in education, such as school administrator or education policymaker.
More perks may be offered as baby boomer teachers begin retiring over the next 10 to 15 years. If you've always thought a teaching career would be fun and rewarding, now is the time to make it happen.