CAREER GUIDE Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education

The National Center for Education Statistics found that of the 3.9 million teachers working during the 2011-12 school year, 3.4 million taught in public schools, while 464,900 worked in private schools. You may seek employment in a public school, a private magnet school, or even a religious institution that is aligned with your personal beliefs. The environment will change based on the ideology of the school- - military institutions are generally much more disciplinarian than magnet schools, for example, while religious schools may offer courses outside the traditional curriculum - which may affect your lesson plans and even what subjects you cover.

Typical school hours for a teacher are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. That doesn't mean your day stops there, though. Teachers do a lot of work outside class hours, setting their curriculums, grading papers and communicating with students and parents. Teaching is a great job for self-starters who are willing to learn from feedback and put in extra effort to make sure their lesson plans address the wants and needs of the class.

There are many positions that K-8 teachers can hold. The options vary greatly by educational institution, ranging from art instructors to physical education coaches and subject-specific teachers. You may find that some jobs require you know how to teach multiple topics, like math and reading, or science and social studies. Today, some positions are based entirely around technology. IT teachers and library aids assist students in learning how to use a school's electronic resources like the student portal and other devices.

All of these careers require a bachelor's degree, certification, and licensure. Some teachers may also benefit from pursuing advanced degrees in order to gain access to even more career opportunities. To be a top-notch teacher, you must also be skilled in public speaking, conflict resolution, and problem solving.

There are many opportunities when you have an online teaching degree, and you'll likely find an educational area of expertise that aligns with your personal passions and can become your lifelong career. Not every teacher works in a school, some go on to become librarians, daycare providers, or special education instructors. If you're interested in the possibility of changing your work environment during your career, teaching may be for you. The National Center for Education Statistics states that nearly 85 percent of teachers stay at the same school for a full year, while only 7.6 percent switched to a new school in that period. Once the school year is over, you can move anywhere in the country, and even abroad, and still find other teaching opportunities. Some teachers choose to stay at a locationto provide structure in their own lives and those of their students, while others opt to move frequently. The good news is that teachers are needed all over the world, so there are plenty of opportunities for those who hold a teaching degree.