Teaching is an awesome career. You touch the future today by guiding these children towards being better people; by being humans who care about each other and the world they live in. You give them hope because you may be the only person in their lives who are showing them that you care about them. Then you find a student who is so smart and so eager and willing to learn everything you have to teach them and more. What a rush!

As far as grade level, I am currently teaching K-5 science. Each level has its challenges and rewards. I still don’t know what grade level I would like the best. I’ve talked to all grade levels and each one loves theirs. I think when you want to teach, it doesn’t matter what grade you get. You will love the level you are at. Elementary is definitely different than junior or senior high school and Kindergarten is a world all to itself. There are personalities which work best in those broad ranges.

I didn’t think I would like anything about middle school (junior high) but when I spent time there during novice teaching, I loved it! I am not sure I’m built for Kindergarten, but I do enjoy working with those kids as well. If you choose teaching, try to get as much time as possible in rooms of all grade levels so you can get a feel of which one feels like it’s the best for you. Talk to teachers–not so much about how they feel about their grade but what they are working on in the classroom. Some grades do more science, some more math. Maybe there’s a subject you would enjoy working more in.

Whatever career you choose, you will be working with children and helping their lives get better. I wish you luck and welcome you to the wonderful world of assisting children. It’s the best.

*stepping off soapbox*

If I were you, I would make appointments to talk to both teachers and school psychologists and find out the truth of their job and maybe shadow them for a day (or volunteer in the teacher’s classroom for a day). Only that way will you get a correct impression of either career.

As far as grades to teach, it really depends on the person. My sister-in-law was adamant about teaching lower primary (1st-3rd grade) but she ended up hating it. She now teaches 9th grade algebra and loves it. Some people hate high school but love kindergarten. Like any career, it can take a while before you are where you want to be. Enjoy the journey!