After choosing a career in education, the next important career decision you will need to make is what grade level you would like to teach. This decision is much more impactful than it might seem and first glance, and there are several important considerations you need to take into account before you make your choice. To help you choose the grade level that is best suited for your personality and skillset, let's take a look at five key questions to ask yourself when deciding which grade level you should teach.
Many educators get caught up on subject matter when deciding which grade they should teach. However, the age and maturity of the students you will be teaching is ultimately much more impactful than the specific material being taught at each grade.
Working with middle-school students, for example, is obviously going to bring a completely different set of challenges than working with high school students. This makes it important to really consider which age group of students you are most comfortable working with. If you are interested in helping students navigate the coming-of-age years, then working with high school students may be the ideal choice for you. If you are more comfortable working with young children than young adults, teaching elementary or middle school may be a better choice. Either way, deciding which age group you are most comfortable working with is by the far the most important consideration when it comes to choosing which grade levels you would like to teach.
While it is true that subject matter is typically less impactful than student age when considering the differences between teaching different grade levels, it's an important factor to consider, nonetheless. Most middle school and elementary teachers are required to teach multiple subjects, while high school teachers typically get to teach courses in a single subject. Therefore, if you are especially passionate about a particular subject such as history or English, teaching high school students will allow you to focus your career solely on that one subject.
However, many educators enjoy the opportunity to bring some variety into their workday by teaching multiple subjects. If you fall into this camp, teaching students in middle or elementary school may be a better fit. It's also a good idea to keep in mind how deep you will be able to dive into a subject, depending on the various grade levels. A high school history course, for example, is obviously going to be much more in-depth than a middle school history course and may give you a better opportunity to really explore your passion for the topic.
There are inevitable pros and cons that come with teaching each grade level, no matter which grade you choose. If you decide to teach elementary school, for example, you'll have to deal with a lot of crying children and temper tantrums, but you'll also have the opportunity to mold younger minds and introduce them to the wonders of the world. Working with high school students, meanwhile, means that you will have to navigate the complexities of teenage life as your students grapple with the transition to adulthood. However, helping students through this challenging time is also a highly rewarding pursuit for the right educators.
According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, secondary teachers (defined as teachers who teach seventh to twelfth-grade students) in the public sector earn an average of 3.4%-6.3% more than elementary teachers in the public sector. In the private sector, this difference is even more pronounced, with secondary teachers earning 13.1%-14.8% more than elementary teachers.
Of course, there are other considerations that can have an impact on a teacher's earning potential, including education level, location, and whether they decide to teach at a private or public school. Since secondary teachers do earn more than elementary teachers when all else is equal, though, earning potential is certainly an important factor to consider when choosing which grade level you would like to teach.
Very few educators are lucky enough to be blessed with an entire classroom of well-behaved students. No matter which grade you choose, there are going to be inevitable behavioral challenges ahead. With elementary students, these behavioral challenges are likely to take less serious forms such as back talking or throwing tantrums. However, they are also likely to be more frequent. High school teachers typically don't have to deal with such behavioral challenges as frequently as elementary teachers, but when they do, the challenges they deal with are often much more serious. It’s therefore essential that you are honest with yourself regarding which set of age-related behavioral challenges you are best prepared to cope with as a vital part of choosing the grade you want to teach.
Conclusion
At Geneva College, we are committed to helping prepare future educators for the all-important role of helping mold young minds across all grade levels. Whether you've already decided which grade you would like to teach or that's a choice you plan on making further down the line, a degree in education from Geneva College is the perfect place to begin your career path as a teacher.
If you would like to learn more about enrolling in the exceptional secondary education, middle-level education, and elementary education programs that we offer at Geneva College, be sure to contact us today!
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Feb 23, 2022In an era dominated by technology, the demand for cybersecurity professionals has increased significantly. Read here to learn about the M.S. in Cybersecurity program at Geneva!
Are you interested in continuing your education? Read here to learn how you can make a positive impact with a Master's in Counseling!
Associate Professor and Department Chair, Susan Layton, reflects on the gift of lament and its relation to her study in Communication Disorders.
Six alumni from Geneva College's business department, representing a variety of industries, provide advice to aspiring business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Are you interested in pursuing an MBA? Read here to learn about Geneva's MBA program!
Are you interested in earning a Master of Arts in Higher Education? Read here to learn about the program that Geneva offers!
Associate Professor Dr. Joel Ward writes about his philosophy of why the field of design needs communication, and how each are advanced at Geneva College.
A recent phenomenon within sociotechnology is the overwhelming confidence placed in artificial intelligence (AI). Teachers who are willing to reshape questions, learn contextual positioning, and study prompt engineering to use AI for work and at home, may be more likely to understand the importance of pedagogy in the classroom.
Communication Media & Rhetoric equips students to navigate this tumultuous landscape by seeking both the good of their neighbors and the glory of Christ.
Engineering is a versatile major that propels students into a variety of different careers. Read more to find out the career paths available for engineers!
Learn more about Geneva College.
Have questions? Call us at 724-847-6505.
© Geneva College | All rights reserved
