What Are Some Career Advancement Options for Teachers?
Are you unsure what teachers can do to advance in their careers? Are you looking to extend your influence and job opportunities after building some teaching experience? If you answered yes to these questions, then keep reading to learn about several career advancement options for teachers.
Career Advancement Overview
Career advancement options for teachers can be numerous. Which option works best for you depends on your goals and interests. Education administration, guidance counseling and library science are some of the most likely transitions.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutCareerAdvancementForTeachers">Important Facts About Career Advancement for Teachers</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Degrees </td><td> Master's and/or doctoral degree</td></tr>
<tr><td> Common Courses </td><td> Systems of human inquiry, organization of higher education, higher education law; human development, counseling theories, cross-cultural counseling, career development promoting; archive collection, cataloging, reference services and collection management</td></tr>
<tr><td> Possible Careers </td><td> Technical services, administrative services or public services</td></tr>
<tr><td> Licensure </td><td> You'll need a different type of license in order to practice as a school counselor or as an education administrator in elementary or secondary schools</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---EducationAdministrator">Education Administrator</h3><p>Entering the field of educational administration is a logical next step for advancing your career. Being an education administrator requires you to set an example for teachers and students at the school you oversee. Some job duties include creating school policies, revising school procedures, setting and meeting educational goals, handling public relations and performing administrative duties like record keeping and budgeting.
</p><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities for education administrators at the elementary and secondary levels are expected to increase by 5% over the 2021-2031 decade, and opportunities for postsecondary education administrators should increase by 7% over that period. The average salary for elementary and secondary education administrators was $102,650 in 2021, based on data from the BLS. Postsecondary education administrators at junior colleges earned a median salary of $95,870 in 2021, and those working at colleges, universities and professional schools made a median salary of $114,660 that year, as reported by the BLS.
</p><h3 id="section---GuidanceCounselor">Guidance Counselor</h3><p>Some teachers make the shift from teaching to counseling. It is recommended that individuals making this transition focus on counseling at the same grade level that they taught. Meaning if you taught at a high school, you should become a high school counselor. This allows you to best relate with the age group you've already spent years communicating with and teaching.
</p><p>As a guidance counselor, you may respond to students' behavioral, personal, educational and social needs. You'll act as an advisor and talk to the students in order to help them understand and cope better. Whenever possible, you'll want to try to prevent problems from occurring by regularly meeting with classrooms and students to help educate them on drug prevention, family issues and conflict resolution.
</p><p>Demand for education, guidance, school and vocational counselors is likely to rise by 10% between 2021 and 2031, as shown by figures from the BLS. Data from the BLS also indicates the average salary for individuals in this profession was $63,090 in 2021.
</p><h3 id="section---Librarian">Librarian</h3><p>If you're looking to help students beyond a single classroom and even assist faculty members, then becoming a librarian could be a good career choice for you. In this career, you'll help others find information by keeping tracks of the books, computers and other informational resources that make up a school's library.
</p><p>You'll complete a library science graduate program. Like other career advancement options in this field, you'll want to make your education as specific as possible. Find library science programs that are intended for those who are interested in working in schools.
</p><p>The BLS predicts overall demand for librarians will expand by 6% from 2021 to 2031. In 2021, elementary and secondary school librarians were paid an average salary of $64,180, and librarians at colleges, universities and professional schools earned an average of $69,070, based on the BLS data.</p>