CAREER OPPORTUNITY

 7 reasons to become a teacher 

1. Change a child’s life for the better

Think about your most inspiring teacher… how they made you feel. You could become that teacher.

The foremost reason to become a teacher is because you care about the education of children and young people. As a teacher you’ll be able to influence not just one, but hundreds or even thousands of lives for the better. Now that’s making a positive difference to the world we live in.

“I pursued teaching to play my part in making the world a better place. To give young people hope. To give them a voice. To advocate for them, and to positively influence their life path. To learn and grow alongside them. To celebrate their achievements. To be an important role model and part of their lives”.

- Brenton, Flinders University Master of Teaching (Secondary) graduate

2. Job security

Becoming a teacher means joining an industry with long-term career prospects.

Education is a fast-growing sector, with great job opportunities. The teaching profession is projected to have strong future growth overall, has low unemployment*, and is essential in ensuring our nation’s young people continue to receive a high-quality education.

*Projected job growth averaged across early childhood, primary and secondary. Job Outlook 2019

3. In just two years you could be ready to inspire your first class.

Flinders University provides a variety of pathways to become a teacher. If you already hold a degree you may be eligible to study our two-year Master of Teaching, which prepares graduates to enter the teaching profession with confidence and competence. 

If you don’t yet hold a degree you can study a four-year double degree, which enables you to focus your studies in an area that suits your interests.

“Flinders stood out for me because it has a strong focus on developing education courses. I am learning from academics who are accomplished and have attained mastery within their respective fields"

- Anthony Salerno, Flinders University Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Science

4. Your days will be full of variety

No two days will be the same. You have the ability to add your own flavour to curriculum delivery, the curriculum itself evolves based on the latest research and requirements, and your students will no doubt have different questions, viewpoints and needs daily.

5. Ongoing professional development

Do you have a thirst for knowledge?

You’ll learn so much in your day-to-day work. Children and young people will constantly challenge and amaze you with their questions and lines of enquiry, and you’ll have the opportunity to review and incorporate new research and technology into your classes as developments occur.

Registered teachers are required to undertake a specified amount of professional learning to retain their registration. Requirements differ across states and territories, with a focus on furthering your ability to support your students.

6. Flexibility

The teaching profession is often seen as a great choice for parents or parents-to-be.

10 weeks’ holiday per year is a favourable perk, which enables those with school-aged children to spend this time together.  Flexible working arrangements are also common for family care purposes.

7. Diverse career options

As an educator you’re not limited to teaching in a classroom environment. You can take your career further by upskilling or pursuing a specialisation.

Opportunities include working as a school coordinator or principal, curriculum and policy adviser in departments of education, or adviser to government departments and other policy-making organisations.

If you’re keen to specialise in an area of interest, postgraduate education options such as Special Education, Wellbeing and Positive Mental Health, and Counselling Vulnerable Children and Young People are available.