Most Mutable Teacher Skills
Applying a Classroom Background to Other Careers in Education
It takes a certain kind of person to be a teacher. You need patience, dedication, stamina and a degree of showmanship. However, many excellent educators find that their ideal role is not actually in front of the class but working in other areas of education.
Fortunately, a teaching degree is a very versatile qualification. The skills and aptitudes developed during an education program include many transferrable skills such as:
- Time management
- Writing reports
- Assessment and evaluation
- Planning and developing
- Administrative paperwork
- Making informed decisions
- Communicating with a range of people
If you know that a position as a class teacher isn't quite the right fit for you but are passionate about improving opportunities and education policy for today's youth, there are many alternate career paths which might better suit your skill set.
Possible alternate career paths could include:
School Social Worker
If you believe it “takes a village to raise a child” you may be interested in a career in school social services. Students arrive in classrooms with a range of issues and circumstances that many teachers don't have the resources or time to explore. As a school social worker you will be responsible for bridging the gap between home and school and trying to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.
School Behavior Analyst
Students with special needs benefit from the services of school behavior analysts. In this role, you will work with students diagnosed with autism and developmental disabilities. Your duties also include training and advising teachers and parents on how to best support their children.
Instructional Coach
An instructional coach is the “teacher’s teacher” and provides advice and guidance on best practice for individual teachers and schools as a whole.
School Counselor
School Counselors provide academic and personal and social guidance, providing students with information, resources and support to navigate their future.
Librarian
Librarians work in a variety of settings including schools and colleges, in addition to library management, librarians are also often involved in educational programs, planning events and festivals and sometimes working with small groups of students.
Textbook and Instructional Materials Sales Rep
A good sales representative knows their product and demographic very well, visiting schools and speaking with teachers and administrators you will have the opportunity to promote high quality educational materials and your background in education will no doubt help to build rapport with your customers.
School Administrator
Often seen as the highest school promotion, a career in school administration usually follows some time in the classroom and gives you the opportunity to make faculty and policy decisions that will impact teachers and students.
Government or Arts Organization Positions
The Department of Education hires those with education backgrounds to teach in alternative settings such as prisons and young offender institutions and to make management decisions related to government mandates and directives.
Writer or Editor (Especially in Curriculum Design)
You can find work writing curriculum guides, lesson plans, textbooks and a variety of other educational materials.
Some teachers may find they want to stay in the classroom but are the victim of school budget cuts and their position is no longer available. In this case try to think creatively, can your qualifications be used to teach a different subject area? A different age group? Many teachers find they are reluctant to break out of their comfort zone but find great career growth and renewed vigor when they move into unfamiliar territory.
So whether a change in professional direction is forced or by choice, remember that a career in education opens doors and can lead to a lifetime of career fulfillment. To read more about some of these career paths check out this handy resource.
Fiona Tapp, is a Freelance Writer, Educator and Mom. An Expert in the field of Pedagogy, a teacher of 13 years and Master’s Degree holder in Education. Take a look at her website or blog to connect.