60 2026 | Tennessee Career Guide Teaching is one of society’s most impactful professions. Teachers work from early childhood through high school, creating classrooms where students grow intellec- tually and personally. Whether you work in public schools, private institutions or charter schools, you’ll shape society by preparing students for academic success and their future careers. What is a Typical Day Like? Your day starts before students arrive, re- viewing lesson plans, setting up materials, organizing your classroom. Elementary teachers juggle multiple subjects with the same group of students, switching from math to reading to science while keeping everyone engaged. Secondary teachers usually teach several classes of the same subject, tweaking their approach for dif- ferent groups. Between classes, you’re grading papers, answering questions and prepping for what's next. All day long, you’re watching how students are doing, helping individu- als who need it, managing classroom be- havior and talking with other teachers. What Kind of Person Is Best Suited? Great teachers really love learning and gen- uinely want their students to succeed. You need patience, empathy and understand- ing, but you also have to set high standards. The best teachers can explain things clearly and change their approach depending on who they’re talking to. You’ve got to be creative and flexible, always coming up with engaging lessons, solving problems that pop up in class and adjusting when something isn't working. Being or- ganized helps you juggle lesson planning, Photography by Shutterstock® Shaping Future Generations Education/Teaching Profession Overview Work Sector: Education n Elementary/Kindergarten Teacher Median Pay: $62,310/yr n High School Teacher Median Pay: $64,580/yr n Career/Technical Education Teacher Median Pay: $62,910/yr n Projected Employment Growth (2024-2034): 1% (minimal change) n New Job Openings Per Year: 210,500 (K-12) n Work Type: Full-time n Typical Entry Level Education: Bachelor's degree plus teaching certification Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Information On This Career Provided By: Belmont University 1900 Belmont Blvd. Nashville, TN 37212 www.belmont.edu [email protected] 615-460-6785 or 800-56ENROLL
