Teaching careers are always in demand but ongoing changes in education have driven five teaching careers to the forefront: math, science, English as a second language, special education and curriculum development. These fields are expected to grow much faster than other teaching fields, especially in rural and urban areas.
Mathematics
New legislation, such as Common Core, has resulted numerous changes in the way mathematics is taught in schools. Math teachers who can competently understand, teach and inspire children with these new methods and materials will have an excellent chance for a successful education career.
Mathematics teachers are especially needed in high schools, where teachers must be comfortable instructing in advanced mathematics such as calculus and trigonometry. It takes patience and hard work to perfect the ability to distill complex concepts into simpler instructions for students who are just beginning to learn the material.
Science
Chemistry and physics teachers are also needed. These specialized science classes have become increasingly important in today’s STEM-focused educational environment. High school and college-level instructors with a deep understanding of these subjects are expected to have better-than-average career opportunities in the next decade.
A significant amount of teachers are expected to retire before 2024. This will leave a substantial number of jobs available for experienced, valuable science teachers to fill. Focusing on the two most needed subjects, chemistry and physics, will help teachers prepare to fill many of those desperately needed positions.
Special Education
Better screenings and earlier detection of learning and development disorders have resulted in an increased need for special education services. The demand on these services, which help students with varying level of disabilities, is expected to increase in the coming decade.
Unfortunately, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that teacher retention is a challenge for many schools because this is such a physically and emotionally demanding field. Teachers leave this field every year, creating numerous vacancies.
Specific special educator roles, such as early childhood intervention and autism spectrum specializations, are also being sought by employers. Special educators who have experience working with speech impairments or behavioral abnormalities may have additional opportunities.
English as a Second Language
Due to the growing immigrant population, many schools need more teachers who specialize in teaching English to those who speak other languages. These teachers work with non-native English speakers to improve their ability to understand, speak and write English. Teachers must work with students both individually and collectively to assist them in language development and with assignments from other classes.
Resource: Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language
ESL teachers are in especially high demand in border states with a high immigrant population, such as Texas and California. In fact, in some areas the job outlook for ESL teachers is nearly double the national average for all careers.
Curriculum Developer
Ongoing changes in educational methods have caused many schools to review and revise their methods for evaluating and improving curricula. Hiring dedicated curriculum developers helps schools measure teacher effectiveness and increase student learning by improving the way in which the students are taught.
Curriculum developers do not work directly with students. Instead, the Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that curriculum developers serve as a teacher’s teacher by analyzing important data and helping instructors learn how to best use the available materials to teach the required curriculum to the students.
Outstanding math, science, special education and ESL teachers, along with curriculum developers, are integral to improving American education. As the Boomer generation begins to retire and new educational methods are legislated, there is an increased need for exceptional and effective educators in these specialized subjects.
