| We've all had a special teacher in our lives. Maybe | | | | of children. You'll be responsible for their formal |
| she helped you understand a tricky mathematical | | | | introduction to math, language, science, and social |
| concept. Perhaps she inspired you to speak fluent | | | | studies. But don't stress -- at this education level, |
| French. Or maybe she just took the time to listen | | | | you can have lots of fun with your lesson plans, |
| and be a friend, believing you were special enough | | | | using games, art, music, and computers to teach |
| to merit the attention. Whatever the | | | | basic skills. |
| circumstances, the fact is that this teacher made | | | | If you prefer to provide more in-depth instruction |
| a difference in your childhood or teenage years. | | | | to older kids, an education degree for middle or |
| By earning your education degree, you can be | | | | high school teaching is your best bet. The fun part |
| that memorable teacher for someone else. | | | | about teaching on this level is working in one |
| Opportunities | | | | specific subject in which you excel, rather than |
| In the United States, there is a need for | | | | providing an overview of all subjects. You can |
| professionals with education training. According to | | | | teach anything from English, math, or history, to |
| the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2004, the | | | | auto mechanics, business education, or computer |
| education services industry was the second | | | | repair. You can also supervise extracurricular |
| largest industry in the economy, providing jobs for | | | | activities or coach a sports team. |
| about 13 million workers. And, wage and salary | | | | Do you have a heart for students with special |
| employment growth of 17 percent is expected in | | | | needs? Special education might be the way to go. |
| the education services industry over the | | | | These teachers work with students who have a |
| 2004-2014 period, higher than the 14 percent | | | | variety of learning and physical disabilities. With a |
| increase projected for all industries combined. | | | | special education degree, you can work in a |
| Once you have the proper education training | | | | traditional school and provide resource room and |
| (including a bachelor's degree and a teaching | | | | one-on-one assistance, or you can work in a |
| license), numerous teaching opportunities are | | | | special education school that serves students with |
| available. In fact, teachers account for almost half | | | | more severe disabilities. With special education |
| of all workers in the education industry. | | | | training, you'll learn how to accommodate |
| Career Options | | | | students' individual needs, and help students |
| Become a preschool, kindergarten, or elementary | | | | develop the social skills needed to thrive in society. |
| school teacher and help shape the development | | | | |