Careers For Adult Literacy, Remedial Education, and GED Teachers and Instructors

Jobs in Adult Education

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The average value of the Bachelor degree needed to become a Adult literacy, remedial education, and ged teachers and instructors is $516,782.00.

Points of interest

The demand for Adult Literacy, Remedial Education and GED Teachers and Instructors is on the rise, and jobs in this career field are plentiful. The pay and benefits for Adult Literacy, Remedial Education and GED Teachers and Instructors may not be the most lucrative, however.

Nature of the Work

Adult Literacy, Remedial Education and GED Teachers and Instructors provide educational instruction to adults from a variety of backgrounds. While there is a great demand for adult instructors in urban areas, rural areas are quickly catching up. Adult Literacy, Remedial Education and GED Teachers and Instructors provide instruction in basic math and reading skills as well as a variety of subjects that are commonly taught in elementary and high school. In addition, Adult Literacy, Remedial Education and GED Teachers and Instructors may provide instruction in life skills, such as GED certification and junior college classes, job seeking, resume writing and job interview techniques. Instruction in personal skills such as personal problem-solving, personal finance, interpersonal relations and dealing with day-to-day issues may also be provided by these teachers. Instructors also assist students in locating local community resources to assist them with issues they may be facing. In addition, with the influx of immigrants from other countries, the demand for Adult Literacy and English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors is also on the rise.

Adult Education Careers

Many Adult Literacy, Remedial Education and GED Teachers and Instructors work with students one-on-one, but a large majority of these instructors teach in a traditional classroom setting. Many non-traditional methods are used to teach adult learners, often presenting the lesson in a real-world scenario for better understanding of the topic.

Most instructors work part-time in addition to another full-time job, but some are able to work in this field full-time. In addition, due to the adult ages of the students, instruction must be scheduled around jobs and family commitments, requiring these instructors to work many evening and weekend hours to accommodate students.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Adult Literacy, Remedial Education and GED Teachers and Instructors are required to possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in any subject, but a degree in the field of Education is highly desired. A Master’s Degree in Education and teaching credentials may also be required depending on the rules and regulations set forth for teachers by the local school system, city and state. Previous experience with adult learners is also desired but not mandatory. Instructors and teachers may also be required to complete a set number of Continuing Education courses to keep current on teaching methods and retain teaching credentials.

Employment

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Adult Literacy, Remedial Education and GED Teachers and Instructors are employed in a variety of settings. These individuals may work at high schools, community colleges, vocational and technical schools and even elementary schools in some urban areas. Job opportunities can also be found for these careers in community centers, libraries, government agencies, hospitals and even jails and prisons. The need for adult education is wide-spread and communities are making greater efforts to provide adult learners with the education they need in a variety of settings.

Job Outlook

As the economy continues to falter and jobs become harder to find, adults are looking for ways to better themselves. Likewise, those individuals who have been content or forced to stay in “entry-level” positions may find themselves forced out of their jobs and back on the job market. One of the most sought-after personal improvements is education. More education means more job opportunities and increased income, as well as more marketable job skills and stronger personal problem-solving skills. As the demand for education rises, so also does the demand for teachers and instructors to provide this education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics conservatively predicts an increase of 15% in the job market for teachers and instructors of adult education by the year 2018.

Projections

While this career field is not the highest paying career field, advancement opportunities and pay raises are available. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that demand for Adult Literacy, Remedial Education and GED Teachers and Instructors will continue to rise, thus increasing wages and benefits for these instructors.

Earnings

Many Adult Literacy, Remedial Education and GED Teachers and Instructors are paid low wages. Some of these instructors may work on a volunteer basis for no pay. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey program: “Median hourly wages of adult literacy and remedial education teachers were $22.26 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $16.65 and $29.78. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12.48, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $38.95. Part-time adult literacy and remedial education instructors are usually paid by the hour or for each class that they teach, and receive few or no benefits. Full-time teachers are generally paid a salary and receive health insurance and other benefits if they work for a school system or government.” (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009).

Advancement

There may be little room for advancement for Adult Literacy, Remedial Education and GED Teachers and Instructors, depending on the program and setting they are working in. Volunteer instructors may find a promotion to a paid position, while part-time paid instructors may obtain a promotion to a full-time position. Full-time teachers may locate promotion opportunities to administrator or other positions in the institution or local community.

Related Occupations

There are many occupations that related closely to that of Adult Literacy, Remedial Education and GED Teachers and Instructors. Counselors, social workers, interpreters, teachers and instructors at all levels of the educational system, from kindergarten to graduate school are just some of the related occupations. A degree in Education can be useful in many ways, even if not being used in the classroom setting. Authors, reporters and editors are other closely related occupations.

Sources of Additional Information

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics provides in-depth fact sheets and statistics on a variety of career fields, including that of Adult Literacy, Remedial Education and GED Teachers and Instructors. Those fact sheets can be located on the BLS’s website at www.bls.gov. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also offers Occupational Employment Statistics for a variety of career fields, to include wage and promotion information.

Many non-governmental websites also offer a variety of helpful information for Adult Literacy, Remedial Education and GED Teachers and Instructors. Careers.org also has fact sheets on these careers on their website. The System for Adult Basic Education Support website also features many resources for Adult GED and Literacy Instructors.

The SABES portal can be helpful as well.

The Adult Education Tutor Support website also offers information and resources for Adult Learning Instructors.

The Education Portal also offers links and information for Adult Literacy, Remedial Education and GED Teachers and Instructors.

Literacy Connections is another great resource for instructors and teachers of Adult Literacy programs.

The International Reading Association also offers helpful resources for literacy instructors at their website.

Resources:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, . (2009, December 17). Occupational outlook handbook, 2010-11 edition: teachers—adult literacy and remedial education. Retrieved from Bls.Gov

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