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Teachers do more than impart knowledge. Teachers make a difference in the lives of their students. They must communicate with students, understand individual and cultural differences, and teach to students' educational and emotional needs. Above all, teachers must teach students how to:

• interact with others,
• communicate effectively,
• use technology, and
• use the skills they learn in school.

A Teaching Degree Prepares You for a Teaching Career

Every state requires public school teachers be licensed, though some states offer alternative licensing procedures for hard-to-fill subjects like math and science. Most teachers hold a bachelor's teaching degree, and some pursue higher degrees, like master's degrees in education. Bachelor of science programs generally run four years; accelerated online programs can take two and a half years. Course requirements to get a teaching degree include the following: psychology, sociology of education, history, communications, teaching methods and analysis Some coursework concentrates on how to use technology in the classroom. While some students learn to teach several subjects, others focus on one subject. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts opportunities for teachers will grow 13 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is about average for all occupations. You might find more opportunities for teachers in high-demand subjects. So, some teaching programs focus on math, science, and bilingual education. Median annual wages for public school teachers ranged from $51,180 to $74,100 in 2008.