Understanding Teaching

The Day to Day Life and Career of a Teacher

No two teaching careers are the same. The way you teach and pursue your career is unique to you. By choosing a teaching career, you bring your full self to the school community: your personality, your experience, and your ambitions.

Teaching Enables You To

elevate your life, transform others’ lives

give back to your community

expand your career and work path

experience a diverse community of future Minnesotans, be a part of the solution for education in this state

"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery."

Mark Van Doren

“I think the teaching profession contributes more to the future of our society than any other single profession.”

John Wooden

"Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher."

Japanese proverb

Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.

Chinese Proverb

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”

Henry Brooks Adams

“Let us remember: one book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world.”

Malala Yousafzai

“Great teachers empathize with kids, respect them, and believe that each one has something special that can be built upon.”

Ann Lieberman

Teaching is One of the Happiest Professions

Myth 1

Anyone Can Teach

Wrong! The idea is nonsense - try organizing a child's birthday party or chaperoning a high school dance!

Myth 2

Teacher Preparation is Not Much Use

Wrong! Studies over the last 30 years show that fully prepared teachers are more highly rated and more effective students.

Myth 3

Teachers Don't Work Hard Enough

Wrong! Teachers have little time during the day for planning, locating materials, talking with parents, meeting individually with students, or grading papers, they do all of these things after school hours, typically well into the evenings or on weekends.

Why Choose Teaching