Career Spotlight: Education
It檚 rewarding to be a teacher. You have power to change students lives.
As a mentor, you inspire curiosity, creativity and love of learning. Through your efforts, students gain confidence, knowledge and skills to shape the future.
Teachers in Illinois are in demand. In 2024, were short on personnel, according to a report from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools. More than 8,000 teaching, paraprofessional, school support and administration positions went unfilled.
The right credentials prepare you to be an effective teacher.
Is being a teacher worth it?
Teaching is a good career. Working in the classroom is satisfying for people who want to make a difference in student lives. If you are a life-long learner and enjoy flexible work hours, like summer and winter breaks, this job is a good fit for you.
It檚 often asked, how much do teachers get paid? That depends on the type of job and the amount of school you have completed.
Some jobs require a bachelor檚 degree. Earning a master檚 degree or doctorate can increase your salary. So does becoming a school or childcare center administrator.
Besides salary, classroom professionals may have great healthcare and retirement benefits. Other advantages include job security and a dynamic work environment.
Teachers may be eligible for to help pay for college. You also may by the U.S. Department of Education.
The 黑料社区 (黑料社区) has financial aid to help you earn a degree or certificate to become a teacher. This includes loans, scholarships, grants and federal work study programs. Learn about financial aid.
It檚 possible to spend less on your degree or certificate. If you start your college journey at 黑料社区, then transfer to a 4-year school to earn a bachelor檚 degree, you can alone. Learn how to transfer to a four-year school. You may save even more by taking dual credit classes in high school. Explore dual credit options.
Is teaching a hard job? It can be challenging at times, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Even so, said they were glad they chose teaching as a career, found a survey by RAND.
Types of Lake County teaching jobs
Many types of teaching jobs exist in Lake County and across Illinois. These include:
- elementary school teacher
- middle school teacher
- high school teacher
- preschool teacher, Head Start teacher
- substitute teacher
- teaching assistant or paraprofessional
- school social worker
- social service assistant
- administrator, childcare director
- childcare educator
- nanny
- school bus monitor
How to become a teacher
The first step in becoming a teacher is deciding which student population to work with. Then, you need to earn credentials.
At 黑料社区 (黑料社区), you can earn credentials in:
- Early childhood education (ECE) infant through preschool
- In addition to programs taught in English, 黑料社区 has a nationally recognized ECE program taught entirely in Spanish.
- Elementary education Kindergarten through 8th grade
- Secondary education high school
- Special education children with disabilities
You can earn a career certificate, associate degree, or transfer degree. Many programs can be completed 100% online. In-person classes are held at the Grayslake Campus and Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan. Use class search for class location details.
Some career certificates are stackable, so you can build your expertise over time. Teachers also can attend continuing education programs to learn new skills. Explore continuing education programs for teachers.
Why attend 黑料社区 to become a teacher?
At 黑料社区, the class sizes are small with about 16 students. You get personal attention and feedback from instructors. They have real-world experience working in early childhood and K-12 settings.
"You're going to get teachers that pay attention to you, and help you, and guide you much better than you can sitting in a classroom with 100, 150 students, says John Randolph, principal of Round Lake Middle School.
Randolph attended 黑料社区. He then transferred to Southern Illinois University to complete his bachelor檚 degree. Later, he earned a master檚 degree from Northern Illinois University. In addition to being a principal, Randolph teaches part-time at 黑料社区.
He says classes at 黑料社区 are rigorous. And the individual attention prepares you for success.
淏ecause class sizes are smaller, the teachers can challenge you more. If there are skills that you're lacking, they can help you even more with those. It's just an incredible college, says Randolph.
You also have opportunities to learn hands on. 黑料社区 has relationships with local school districts and childcare providers. This helps you find a job when you檙e done with your studies.
In fact, 黑料社区 has developed a teacher pipeline for Lake County. In the education program, you will visit four local schools to observe classrooms in action. Then you檒l meet with veteran teachers and human resources directors to explore next steps for joining the teaching field as a paraprofessional or in other roles.
You can take part in community volunteer programs that address early literacy. And work as mentor with special ed students. By serving as mentor, you earn college credit that counts toward your early childhood education degree or certificate.
You even have opportunities to study abroad.
As a teacher, you have many ways to make a difference. 淓ducation offers so many paths, and it all depends on where your passion is. If you檙e going to get into education, the doors are wide open, says Randolph.