Education
An educator is a professional who teaches and helps people learn new things. They can work in schools, universities, museums, or other educational settings. Their job is to help students acquire knowledge, skills, and understanding in a variety of subjects, such as math, science, history, art, and more. Educators create lesson plans, teach classes, grade assignments, and provide feedback to their students. They also serve as mentors and role models, inspiring students to reach their full potential and pursue their dreams.
Similar Titles
-
Teachers
-
Instructors
-
Professors
$121,000
Opportunities
-
Public Schools
-
Private Schools
-
Colleges
-
Universities
-
Trade Schools
-
Vocational Schools
-
Online Education Platforms
-
Nonprofit Organizations
Median & Top-level
Salary
What do I do?
-
Teach students: Educators work in classrooms and help students learn new things by explaining ideas and concepts in a way that is easy to understand.
-
Plan lessons: Educators spend time creating lesson plans and deciding what activities and materials to use to help students learn.
-
Grade assignments: Educators evaluate student work, such as tests and homework, and give feedback on how to improve.
-
Attend meetings: Educators often meet with other teachers and school administrators to discuss curriculum, student progress, and other important topics.
-
Communicate with parents: Educators may also communicate with parents to give updates on student progress, discuss any concerns, and answer questions.
-
Keep track of money: School administrators keep track of how much money the school has by recording income and expenses in financial records.
-
Hire and supervise staff: School administrators may be responsible for hiring and supervising teachers, support staff, and other employees.
-
Develop school policies: School administrators help create and enforce policies that ensure a safe and effective learning environment for students.
-
​Maintain facilities: School administrators oversee the maintenance of school buildings and grounds to ensure a safe and clean learning environment.
Hard and Soft Skills​
-
Subject matter expertise: Educators need to have a deep understanding of the subject they are teaching so they can answer questions and provide guidance to students.
-
Lesson planning: Educators must have the ability to plan lessons that are engaging, informative, and aligned with educational standards.
-
Classroom management: Educators need the ability to manage their classroom effectively to ensure that students are focused and learning.
-
Assessment and evaluation: Educators must be able to assess student performance, evaluate progress, and provide feedback to students and parents.
-
Technology skills: Educators should be comfortable using technology in the classroom, including interactive whiteboards, online learning platforms, and educational software.
-
Communication: Educators must have excellent communication skills to convey information and ideas clearly to students, parents, and colleagues.
-
Patience: Educators must be patient and able to work with students who may struggle with certain concepts or have behavioral issues.
-
Adaptability: Educators must be able to adapt to different learning styles and abilities to ensure that all students can learn and succeed.
-
Empathy: Educators must have empathy for their students, understanding their needs, concerns, and perspectives.
-
Collaboration: Educators must be able to work collaboratively with other educators, administrators, and stakeholders to achieve common goals and improve educational outcomes.
Opportunities and Challenges
-
Impact lives: Educators can make a positive impact on the lives of their students by inspiring, encouraging, and guiding them.
-
Career advancement: Educators can advance their careers by taking on leadership roles, pursuing advanced degrees, and participating in professional development opportunities.
-
Large workload: Educators have a lot of work to do, from preparing lesson plans to grading assignments and tests, and it can be difficult to balance it all.
-
Classroom management: Educators need to be skilled in managing their classrooms to ensure that students are focused, engaged, and behaving appropriately.
-
Low pay and budget constraints: Many educators are underpaid compared to other professions with similar education requirements, and budget constraints can make it difficult to provide the resources and materials needed for effective teaching.
-
​​Large class sizes: Many educators face the challenge of teaching large classes with diverse learning needs and styles, which can be overwhelming and difficult to manage.
-
Limited resources: Schools and districts may have limited resources, such as funding, technology, and support staff, which can make it challenging for educators to provide the best possible learning experiences for their students.
-
Time constraints: Educators often have many responsibilities and tasks to juggle, from lesson planning and grading to attending meetings and professional development sessions, which can be time-consuming and stressful.
-
Student behavior: Dealing with difficult student behavior can be a significant challenge for educators, as it can disrupt the learning environment and create a negative atmosphere for everyone.
-
Accountability: Educators are held accountable for the academic progress and achievement of their students, which can create pressure and stress, especially when external factors, such as poverty or learning disabilities, affect student performance.
What Do I Need to Know
If you want to become an Educator, you need to go to school and learn a lot about different subjects like math, science, history, and more. You will also learn how to teach these subjects to other people. To start, you must finish high school for your diploma or equivalent and attend college or university to earn a degree in education or a related field. Most educators have a bachelor's degree in education or a related field. During your degree program, you will take courses that cover subjects such as child development, educational psychology, and teaching methods.
​
After completing your degree, you will need to obtain a teaching certification. The certification requirements vary by state but typically include passing a certification exam, completing a student teaching program, and meeting continuing education requirements. Some specific certifications that you may need to obtain include a teaching license or a specialized endorsement, such as in special education or bilingual education.
​
It’s very important for educators to have strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. They should also have a passion for working with children and a commitment to helping students learn and grow. With dedication and hard work, becoming an educator can be a rewarding career path.
Top Schools
& Programs
-
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
-
Stanford University, Stanford, California
-
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, New York
-
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
-
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Michigan