Top 5 Things to Consider Before Becoming a Teacherh 1 = document . getElementById ( " title "). getElementsByTagName ( " h 1 ")[ 0 ] ; h 1 . innerHTML = widont ( h 1 . innerHTML ) ; Teaching is truly a noble profession . It is also a very timeconsuming one , requiring a commitment on your part . Teaching can bevery demanding but can also be extremely rewarding . Here are fivethings you should consider before taking up teaching as your chosencareer . 1 . Time CommitmentIn order tobe an effective teacher , you need to realize that the time you are atwork - those 7 1 / 2 to 8 hours - really must be spent with the kids . This means that creating lesson plans and grading assignments willprobably take place on " your own time . " Further , to truly relate toyour students you will probably be involved in their activities - attending sporting activities and school plays , sponsoring a club or aclass , or going on trips with your students for various reasons . zSB ( 3 , 3 ) 2 . PayPeopleoften make a big deal about teacher pay . It is true that teachers donot make as much money as many other professionals , especially overtime . However , each state and district can vary widely on teacher pay . Further , when you look at how much you are being paid , make sure tothink of it in terms of the number of months worked . For example , ifyou are starting out with a $ 25 , 000 salary but you are off for 8 weeksin the summer , then you should take this into account . Many teacherswill teach summer school or get summer jobs to help increase theiryearly salary . 3 . Respect or Lack ThereofTeachingis an odd profession , both revered and pitied at the same time . Youwill probably find that when you tell others you are a teacher theywill in fact offer you their condolences . They might even say theycouldn ' t do your job . However , don ' t be surprised if they then go on totell you a horror story about their own teachers or their child ' seducation . It is an odd situation and you should face it with your eyeswide open . 4 . Community ExpectationsEveryonehas an opinion of what a teacher should be doing . As a teacher you willhave a lot of people pulling you in different directions . The modernteacher wears many hats . They act as educator , coach , activity sponsor , nurse , career advisor , parent , friend , and innovator . Realize that inany one class , you will have students of varying levels and abilitiesand you will be judged on how well you can reach each student byindividualizing their education . This is the challenge of education butat the same time can make it a truly rewarding experience . 5 . Emotional CommitmentTeachingis not a desk job . It requires you to " put yourself out there " and beon each day . Great teachers emotionally commit to their subject matterand their students . Realize that students seem to feel a sense of " ownership " over their teachers . They assume that you are their forthem . They assume that your life revolves around them . It is notuncommon for a student to be surprised to see you behaving normally ineveryday society . Further , depending on the size of the town where youwill be teaching , you need to understand that you will be running intoyour students pretty much everywhere you go . Thus , expect somewhat of alack of anonymity in the community .