There are many career paths you can take if you want to work in education. Becoming a teacher is the most obvious, but there are several other equally rewarding careers. If you love working with kids, but don’t like the idea of being a teacher, you could explore the administrative side, information technology, speech pathology, behaviour therapy, or counseling, to name just a few. Some roles require a teaching background, but there are many that require no time spent in the classroom. If you want to become involved in education, here are some careers to consider.
School Administrator
School administrators, or principals, are in charge of all the operations in a school such as coordinating the syllabuses, maintaining the budget, planning and managing school events, overseeing teachers, and keeping the school environment safe and conducive to learning. They shape the way a school operates and are able to make significant changes. The role is often undertaken by one person, however, assistant principals and a team of administrative staff help the principal achieve their goals. 5 years teaching experience is the general requirement. A master’s degree and a bachelor’s in education is also a requirement.
School Behaviour Analyst
A behaviour analyst in a school setting will work with students, supporting those with mental and social disabilities. Various techniques are used such as positive reinforcement, prompt fading, shaping, and task analysis. As well as working with students, a school behaviour analyst will train and educate teachers, caregivers, and families. Most roles will require a master’s degree from an accredited institution. It will have to be in a field relevant to behaviour analysis. A state certification is also required. The exact certification requirements will differ from state to state.
School Counselor
Part of a school counselor’s role will be to offer academic guidance. Basically, this role can be broken down into three areas: Academic, personal-social, and career post-secondary. The role is one that helps students to overcome any academic difficulties, personal problems, and plan their future after high school. It’s not just students that a counselor finds themselves working with. They help teachers and staff handle issues, counsel parents, and even help shape school policy. To become a school counselor requires a master’s degree, usually in a field relevant to school counseling. You can attend a university or undertake your studies at home by enroling in an online Masters in School Counseling.
School Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech-language pathologists can work in a range of different locations, however, two out of five work in schools. The role includes the prevention of communication disorders and identifying at-risk students. They are required to assess and evaluate student’s communication skills and develop an individualised program for those in need. When a student has problems communicating it can have a significant impact on their ability to learn and be understood. Students can also have problems forming relationships with their peers. A number of US states are reported as having an inadequate supply of qualified professionals in this specialised field. In most states, a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology, accredited by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association is a requirement. Teaching certification may also be necessary along with a license. However, requirements do vary from state to state.
School Librarian
This is often a good opportunity for those who only want to work part-time or people who are looking for a flexible schedule. A school librarian is on hand to help students find books and resources, keep the books and materials in the library organised, and choose new ones. It can also involve planning programs and events, coordinating and teaching classes, preparing and making purchases within a budget. Often, a school librarian will be involved in training other staff in databases or technology. The best employment opportunities tend to be in large city areas. A teacher’s certification is the usual requirement which means a bachelor’s degree in education or a relevant field. A standardised test, such as the PRAXIS II Library Media Specialist exam may be another requirement, but this varies from state to state.
School Social Worker
This is a very demanding role and often complex. Various issues may have to be tackled such as bullying, emotional problems, violence/abuse, special education services, social problems, behavioral issues, attendance and more. Students have to face a wide range of issues and the school social worker helps them access the support they need as well as bridging the gap between school and home. School social workers are fully trained social workers and need at least a bachelor’s degree, usually in social work.
As you can see, there are a variety of roles you can choose if you want to be involved with children and their education. Those mentioned above are just a few examples. Each of which is rewarding in its own way.
Have any of the 6 jobs above caught your interest? Let us know why in the comments below.
Leave a Reply