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

"There's no word in the language I revere more than 'teacher.' My heart sings when a kid refers to me as his teacher, and it always has. I've honored myself and the entire family of man by becoming a teacher."

Pat Conroy, Prince of Tides

"Be all that you can be. Find your future--as a teacher."

Madeline Fuchs Holzer

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

Malala Yousafzai

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

John Wooden

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

Chinese Proverb

“Our greatest contribution is to be sure there is a teacher in every classroom who cares that every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being.”

Donald O Clifton

Teachers are our greatest public servants; they spend their lives educating our young people and shaping our Nation for tomorrow.

Solomon Ortiz

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