Careers in education abound. Each has its own unique set of responsibilities and requirements. This e-text is designed to guide students through Education 1010 (Introduction to Education) at Utah Tech University. The Utah Tech University teacher education programs focus on elementary and secondary education.  Potential career opportunities within these two specific areas are many. In addition to career opportunities in elementary and secondary education, this introduction will present additional educational career paths.

Teacher Feature

Secondary Science Teacher, Coach, and Driver’s Education Instructor James Brown.

Teacher Feature Reflection Questions:

1. Why did Mr. Brown become a teacher and a coach?
2. What does Mr. Brown believe makes him a good teacher?
3. What is Mr. Brown’s favorite part of being a teacher?
4. What advice would Mr. Brown give to new teachers?

Utah Education Flashback

Martha Heywood was one of the first educators in Washington County, Utah. She taught school in her home until a schoolhouse was built in Washington City, Utah, around 1861. She came to Utah in the wagon of her brother-in-law. Mrs. Heywood’s students studied from a “blue-backed speller“—probably Webster’s Elementary Spelling Book and McGuffey’s Readers. (Larson, A. K. (n.d.). The Red Hills of November: A pioneer biography of Utah’s Cotton Town.)

The Careers of Education

Classroom Teacher
Classroom teachers are responsible for developing and delivering lessons, grading assignments, and assessing student progress. Teachers may work in public or private schools.  Teachers generally focus on a career in elementary or secondary education. Teachers teach a variety of subjects and grade levels.

School Administrator
School administrators manage the day-to-day operations of a school. A school administrator’s duties can include school budgets, hiring and evaluating staff, and working with stakeholders to develop policies and procedures that help govern the schooling experience. Administrators may work as principals, assistant (vice) principals, or as administrators in the district or governing Local Education Agency (LEA).

School counselor
School counselors assist students in providing academic and emotional support. They help students prepare student schedules. School counselors work closely with students to ensure that graduation requirements are met. Additionally, school counselors advise students in difficult personal or family challenges. School counselors are generally paid at a higher rate than classroom teachers and are contracted on a longer academic calendar. They actively participate in student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and Student Educational Occupational Programs (SEOPs).

Curriculum Specialist
Curriculum specialists are employed by school districts, educational institutions, or government agencies that include state higher education institutions. Curriculum Specialists develop curriculum that is specific to the many content areas, grade levels, and educational programs which they serve.

The above are just a few examples of the many different careers in education. Other roles include instructional coach, educational consultant, school librarian or media specialist, and information technology (IT) specialist. Every educational career path requires specific education, training, and experience.  

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School Organizations

Charter Schools
Charter Schools schools offer teaching opportunities for educators who are interested in working in a non-traditional public school setting.

Charter Schools commit to obtaining specific educational objectives in return for a charter to operate a school. Charter schools are exempt from significant state or local regulations related to operation and management but otherwise adhere to regulations of public schools — for example, charter schools cannot charge tuition or be affiliated with a religious institution.

In other words, charter schools are publicly accountable — they rely on families choosing to enroll their children, and they must have a written performance contract with the authorized public chartering agency. Charter schools are also autonomous — they have more flexibility in the operations and management of the school than traditional public schools.

Charter schools are independently run public schools that operate under a charter or contract with a state or local education agency. While they are still subject to some state and federal regulations, charter schools generally have more autonomy than traditional public schools in areas such as curriculum, staffing, and budgeting (National Charter School Resource Center).

Pros of teaching in a charter school:

• Greater flexibility
  • Charter schools provide more flexibility with curriculum and teaching methods.
• Smaller class sizes
  • Charter schools are often smaller than traditional public schools. Smaller class sizes allow for more individualized attention for students.
• Stakeholder and leadership opportunities
  • Less restrictive structures allow charter schools opportunities for teachers to play an active role as a stakeholder. Additionally, more leadership roles are available as a career objective for many teachers.
• Mission-driven
  • Charter schools have a specific mission or focus. This focus makes them unique. Examples of charter school missions include STEM, College Prep, Arts, and Career and Technical Education.

Private Schools
Private schools offer teaching opportunities for educators who are interested in working in a non-public school setting. Private schools are generally independent and funded by tuition and private donations rather than public funds. They can range from small, independent schools to large, prestigious institutions.

Pros of teaching in private school:

•  Autonomy
  • Private schools generally give the teacher more flexibility and autonomy than public schools in areas such as curriculum and teaching methods.
• Smaller class sizes
  • Private schools often have smaller class sizes than public schools.
• Higher salaries than public schools (in some cases)

DODEA The Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA)
DODEA provides opportunities for educators who are interested in working with military-connected students in the United States and abroad. DODEA is a civilian agency of the United States Department of Defense that manages schools for military dependents on military installations in the United States and overseas.

Some of the benefits of working as a teacher for DODEA include:

• Working with military-connected students
  • DODEA teachers have the opportunity to work with students from military families who may face unique challenges related to frequent moves, deployments, and other aspects of military life.
• Competitive compensation and benefits
  • DODEA offers competitive compensation and benefits packages, including housing allowances for teachers working overseas.
• Professional development opportunities
  • DODEA provides extensive professional development opportunities for teachers, including training in areas such as instructional technology, STEM education, and cultural competency.
• Travel opportunities
  • Teachers working for DODEA may have the opportunity to work at schools in different countries or to travel for professional development or other purposes.

Applying for DODEA opportunities:

Opportunities can be found on the DODEA website. Teaching positions with DODEA may require U.S. citizenship and other eligibility requirements.

Additional Teaching Opportunities

Online Teaching Opportunities
Online teaching opportunities are becoming increasingly popular for educators looking for flexibility and the ability to work remotely. Online teaching opportunities range from teaching full-time courses to providing individual tutoring or teaching part-time courses.

Benefits of online teaching include:

• Flexibility
  • Online teaching allows educators to work from anywhere with an internet connection. Online teaching reaches students from all over the world.
• Utilizing technology in teaching methods
• Supplemental income

Applying for online teaching opportunities:

Online teaching opportunities can be found on job boards and education-focused job sites. School districts and state agencies frequently post online opportunities for teaching or tutoring.

Driver Education Teacher
To teach driver’s education in a Utah public school, you would typically need to meet the requirements set by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE).

These requirements may include:

• Certification: To teach driver’s education in a Utah public school, you would need to hold a valid Utah teaching license or endorsement. This typically requires completion of a teacher education program and passing relevant exams.
• Endorsement: In addition to a teaching license, you would need to hold an endorsement in driver education. This may require completion of specific coursework in driver education and/or completion of a state-approved driver education program.
• Experience: Some school districts may require a certain level of teaching experience before allowing an individual to teach driver’s education.
• Background check: All individuals working in Utah public schools, including driver’s education instructors, are required to pass a background check.

Once you have met these requirements, you can apply for a teaching position in a Utah public school that offers driver’s education. You would work with the school’s administration and/or the district’s transportation department to develop and implement a driver education program that meets state requirements and helps students learn the skills they need to safely operate a motor vehicle (Utah State Board of Education).

Coaching
Extracurricular activities involve, undoubtedly, some of the most life changing experiences in the schooling experience. Student athletes lives are changed, in most cases, for the better. Good coaches change lives. Communities are engaged. Memories are made that endure for generations.

Coaching is a popular extracurricular activity in schools. Many schools offer a variety of sports teams at the middle school, junior high, and high school levels. Coaching involves working with student-athletes to develop their skills, build teamwork and sportsmanship, and compete against other schools in the region or state.

To become a coach in a Utah school, a teacher would need to meet the requirements set by the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA), the governing body for high school sports in the state which include the following:

• Certification: To coach at the high school level in Utah, an individual is required to hold a valid Utah teaching license or be approved as a non-faculty coach by the local school district. At middle or junior high school level, a teaching license may not be required.
• Coaching endorsement: A teacher may be required to have an endorsement in coaching in addition to having a teaching license. Coursework specifically focused on coaching may be required.
• Background check: All persons working in Utah schools, including coaches, are required to pass a background check.
• CPR/First Aid certification: Schools may require coaches to hold current certification in CPR and First Aid.

Coaching opportunities are advertised on school or district websites, job search websites, and via professional coaching organizations. In addition to head coaching positions,  schools offer opportunities to serve as assistant coaches or volunteer coaches.

Public, Charter, and Online: Three Common Educational opportunities

Public Schools
The physical plant of a school refers to the physical facilities, buildings, and grounds that make up the school’s campus. This can include classrooms, offices, libraries, laboratories, gymnasiums, sports fields, playgrounds, parking lots, and other facilities. The physical plant is an important aspect of a school’s infrastructure as it provides the necessary environment and resources to support teaching and learning activities, and also plays a role in ensuring the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and staff. Maintaining and upgrading the physical plant of a school requires significant resources, including funding, labor, and expertise in design, construction, and maintenance.

Public Charter Schools
Public charter schools are independently managed public schools that operate under a contract or charter granted by a state or local school board or other authorizing agency. These schools have more freedom in their operations and curriculum compared to traditional public schools but are still held accountable for their academic results and financial management. They are funded with public money and are not allowed to charge tuition. Charter schools are open to all students regardless of their background and admission is usually done through a lottery system if the number of applicants exceeds the number of available spots.

Online Schools
Online schools, also known as virtual schools, are educational institutions that provide instruction entirely or primarily online through the internet. These schools may offer full-time programs for students in grades K-12, as well as credit recovery, advanced placement, and career and technical education courses.

Some online schools are affiliated with public school districts, while others are private institutions. They may be fully accredited by state or regional accrediting bodies, or they may be accredited through national organizations such as AdvancED or the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.

Online schools typically use a variety of technologies to deliver instruction, including interactive multimedia, video lectures, online textbooks, and virtual simulations. Students may also communicate with teachers and peers through discussion forums, email, and video conferencing.

Online schools offer a flexible and convenient option for students who may not be able to attend traditional brick-and-mortar schools due to geographical, health, or other reasons. They may also provide specialized courses or programs not available in traditional schools, such as online foreign language courses or advanced placement courses for students in rural or underserved areas. However, they may not be a good fit for all students, as they require self-discipline, motivation, and good time management skills to succeed.

Where do you Look for Teaching opportunities?

Public Brick and Mortar School Teaching Positions:

The best place to look for public school teaching opportunities is within the Local Education Agency (LEA). School District’s post teaching positions in March preceding the school year. Other teaching positions are posted throughout the school year as needed.

Public Charter School Teaching Positions: 

Educator positions at a public charter school are generally posted online under the charter school’s website. Job postings can also be found in other online forums. Charter schools most often hire on the same cycle as public brick and mortar schools.

Online School Teaching Positions:

Online teaching positions are more readily available throughout the school year. The online school website or other job posting venues are the best place to look.

Vocabulary

Classroom Teacher

Elementary Teacher

Secondary Teacher

Administrator

School Counselor

DODEA

Driver Education Instructor

Public Charter School

Online School

Public School

Curriculum Specialist

Endorsement

Background Check

Certification

Licensure

Flexibility

Technology

Student Educational Occupational Program (SEOP)

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Coach

Public School

Public Charter School

Online School