Why Teach?

If you ask most people why they like their jobs, you are likely to hear about the salary or the hours. If you ask teachers what they enjoy about their jobs, most will tell you “the kids.”

Teaching is among the most intrinsically rewarding professions. In other words, people teach not only for the external rewards, but also for the feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that facilitating student learning provides. One study showed that teachers are happy in their jobs because they

• Participate in decision-making

• Use and apply valued skills and knowledge

• Have freedom and independence

• Are challenged

• Express creativity

• Have the opportunity to learn themselves.

Teaching offers all of these opportunities, but even more important, teaching offers the chance to affect a child’s life…to know that you helped the light go on for a student’s understanding, and that he will forever be changed because of your influence.

If you enjoy working with people and you enjoy the learning process, consider becoming a licensed teacher. Currently, Arkansas needs teachers, particularly in

• Math

• Science

• Foreign Languages

• Special Education

• Art

Contact Dr. Phillip Russell, Associate Dean of the College of Education at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith , for more information on programs that lead to teacher licensure.

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