Educators enjoy the subject they teach, and they also enjoy watching their students learn and progress.
Many of us can think back to a teacher who inspired us to work harder, set goals and reach for the stars. Not only are teachers on our list of the 2017 Best Education Jobs, but jobs like sports coach, teacher assistant and health educator also made our list. Click on to see which education jobs ranked highest among the U.S. News 2017 Best Jobs Rankings.
7. Preschool Teacher
Median Salary: $28,570
Unemployment Rate: 3.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 29,600
Preschool teachers typically work with students ages 3 to 5, and use creative ways to foster social and educational development, like art projects, story time and play time. Preschool teachers also help students learn problem-solving skills, as well as prepare them for elementary school.
Learn more about preschool teachers.
6. Sports Coach
Median Salary: $31,000
Unemployment Rate: 4.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 14,800
Sports coaches motivate their players to compete at their best level, demonstrate good sportsmanship and accept a win or loss with grace. Teaching team-building skills, training athletes and devising strategies for the next game are also tackled by sports coaches, many of whom are also teachers.
Learn more about sports coaches.
5. Teacher Assistant
Median Salary: $24,900
Unemployment Rate: 4.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 78,600
While a teacher is focused on developing lesson plans and course objectives, teacher assistants can help provide more one-on-one attention and instruction to students. They often get to know their students well, help students learn and progress and enjoy similar perks as teachers — like summers off.
Learn more about teacher assistants.
4. Health Educator
Median Salary: $51,960
Unemployment Rate: 3.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 7,500
Health educators focus on students’ physical, mental and emotional health. They work for schools, hospitals, social assistance organizations and religious organizations. Health educators might also work with their community to develop programs to address the issues that members face.
Learn more about health educators.
3. Middle School Teacher
Median Salary: $55,860
Unemployment Rate: 3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 36,800
Middle school teachers generally work with students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade, and teach subjects like science, math, English, social studies, music, foreign language and physical education. A bachelor’s degree is typically required, and those working at public schools need to be licensed or certified.
Learn more about middle school teachers.
2. Elementary School Teacher
Median Salary: $54,890
Unemployment Rate: 3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 78,300
One of the first instructors in a child’s life is an elementary school teacher. These educators typically teach students in kindergarten through the fifth grade, and focus on teaching kids how to read and write, as well as teaching subjects like math, social studies, science, physical education and music.
Learn more about elementary school teachers.
1. High School Teacher
Median Salary: $57,200
Unemployment Rate: 2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 55,900
Preparing students for college is no easy task. That’s where high school teachers come in. They teach more complex, specialized subjects, and help students decide what to study in college and potentially what career path to go down. They have the highest median salary on our list of Best Education Jobs.
Learn more about high school teachers.
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7 Outstanding Education Jobs for 2017 originally appeared on usnews.com
