So, you want to improve the lives of children?  Become a teacher! If you are considering a career as a teacher, here’s some insight from those who’ve been there. 

<h2>Teachers Make a World of Difference</h2>

So, you want to improve the lives of children? Become a teacher!


 As a teacher, you will be able to tap into your inner creativity. You&rsquo;ll
 get to work with a diverse group of learners as you help build their
 confidence and watch them grow. You&rsquo;ll be part of preparing students for
 college, careers, and life in general.



 In your role as a teacher, you&rsquo;ll create and implement lesson plans,
 differentiate instruction to meet the needs of your learners, monitor your
 students&rsquo; progress, assess the effectiveness of your instruction, and
 communicate your students&rsquo; progress with their parents or guardians.
 Sounds both challenging and rewarding, doesn&rsquo;t it? If you are
 considering a career as a teacher, here&rsquo;s some insight from those
 who&rsquo;ve been there.


<h2>Top 8 Traits of Teaching</h2>

1. There is no manual.


 You may be surprised to learn that there is no one manual on how to be a
 teacher. As an educator, you will pair your coursework and training with your
 own understanding and insight on how to best teach. Your teaching philosophy
 will change throughout the course of your career. Be prepared to be flexible,
 surprised, and sometimes, even wrong. Teaching is not an exact science. Your
 methods may work one day but not the next. Be open to continually learning,
 and don&#39;t assume your school, district or administration will tell you
 exactly what to do.


2. Organization is key.


 From dealing with endless stacks of papers to managing deadlines and project
 submissions, teachers have countless responsibilities. Even if you work in a
 virtual classroom, the &quot;paperwork&quot; still looms. Oh, and don&#39;t
 forget communicating with parents and completing staff meeting tasks.
 Organization truly can make or break an educator. To be a successful teacher,
 you&rsquo;ll need to develop methods to keep yourself on track and
 accountable. This starts with creating a customized system that works.


3. Educational technology skills are essential. 


 It is vital for educators to be tech-savvy. As a teacher, you should have
 basic computer skills including familiarity with database, spreadsheet and
 presentation programs. You also must be willing to learn and implement
 educational resources like Google Classroom, ClassDojo and Smart Boards. Most
 teachers love to learn and to master new tools, so this can actually be quite
 fun!


4. K-12 educators are team players. 


 As a teacher, you should expect to attend weekly meetings with your peers. You
 may even have the option to plan as a team. Although some teachers are used to
 working independently, it is important for educators to work together. By
 collaborating, problem solving, and leaning on each other, educators are able
 to share the heavy lifting. Collaboration with others will make a positive
 impact and richer experience for the students you serve.


5. Teaching requires compassion. 


 Students respond best to teachers who show that they care. For children to
 feel that they belong, they must feel heard and understood. As a teacher, you
 will want to keep an open mind and reserve judgement as you approach students
 who are acting out or exhibiting undesired behaviors. It&rsquo;s important to
 ask questions that help you can begin to understand their motivation for the
 behaviors. Showing compassion improves rapport, and over time, will increase
 your students&rsquo; ability to learn from you as their teacher.


6. Responsibilities are part of the job.


 As a teacher, you&rsquo;ll have additional responsibilities. It&rsquo;s just
 part of the job. You may be asked to help supervise the lunchroom, dismiss
 students, coordinate the drop off or pick up line, tutor after hours,
 chaperone field trips, manage science lab materials, etc. Some duties are
 mandatory while others are optional. You may even be offered a stipend or
 additional income to take on supplemental duties.


7. Strong communication skills are required.


 On any given day, you may communicate with not only your students, but also
 other educators, school administrators, parents, guardians, school staff,
 special education providers, and more. As a teacher, you must be adept at
 conveying messages effectively and efficiently. Additionally, your school may
 require you to be available via a classroom website or chat system.


8. Teachers are lifelong learners 


 As an educator, each day can provide you with an opportunity to learn
 something new. Each of us has room for growth and improvement, and teachers
 are no exception. Relabel &ldquo;mistakes&rdquo; as &ldquo;growth
 opportunities.&rdquo; Use these experiences to reflect and move forward on
 your pathway as a lifelong learner.


9. Education requirements vary. 


 A bachelor&#39;s degree is the minimum requirement to be a teacher in the
 U.S.; however, states vary as to the levels of requirements. Therefore, you
 may be able to become a teacher with a bachelors&rsquo; degree and state
 certification or you may need a master&#39;s degree. The requirements are
 based on state law, so be sure to research teaching requirements in your area.


<h2>
 Already a Teacher? Looking for Your Next Adventure in Education?
</h2>


 Check out our
 <a
 href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/job-search-results?what=teacher&amp;&amp;where="
 >best teaching jobs</a
 >
 with Cross Country Education.

Want to be a Teacher? Here’s What You Should Know.