Choosing the Right Major for a Successful Teaching Career

Aspiring teachers often wonder what major they should choose in college to best prepare them for their future careers. One piece of advice frequently offered is to avoid the Education major. This article explores the reasoning behind this recommendation and provides guidance on the best majors for aspiring teachers.

The Value of the Traditional Education Major: Debunked

Former Harvard President Lawrence Lowell once famously stated that the Harvard School of Education was like a kitten that should have been drowned. This sentiment is not unique; many academic professionals view education majors with suspicion. Irvine Babbitt, a French literature professor, echoed similar concerns by describing the professors of pedagogy and sociology as 'charlatans.'

Traditional education classes are often viewed as less valuable for several reasons. Firstly, earning a teaching credential through conventional education courses can be a tedious and obsolete process. According to the author, obtaining a first teaching credential required overwhelming hours of mind-numbing classes. Theoretically, much of this information could be condensed into just one week of seminars rather than a full four years of intense study.

Moreover, many of the classes were filled with students who were less academically inclined, leading to a slow and detailed approach to teaching. Lectures often focused on race and diversity to the detriment of practical teaching methods. For example, despite hours spent on racial issues, the author received just 13 minutes of instruction on phonics, a critical aspect of early reading instruction.

Alternative Majors for a Teaching Career

Given the drawbacks of the traditional Education major, the author recommends alternative majors that can better prepare aspiring teachers for the classroom. Among the suggested options are:

Each of these majors can provide a solid foundation for teaching, often in high-demand areas. For instance, mathematics and science teachers are in high demand, particularly in certain states where districts actively compete for qualified candidates. In contrast, English and history teachers face stiffer competition as they must vie for positions with other similarly qualified teachers.

The Benefits of a Non-Education Major

Students who major in fields like mathematics, English, or science are often better prepared for their future careers. The author notes that these majors tend to attract students with higher SAT scores in both quantitative and verbal sections. For instance, English and theater majors typically have higher SAT verbal scores than education majors, and mechanical engineering majors have higher SAT quantitative scores.

Furthermore, the author suggests that those who take non-education pathways may have alternative routes to earning a teaching credential, thus avoiding the tedious and expensive process of obtaining an education degree. Alternative pathways can provide a faster and more efficient route to becoming a teacher without the need to spend years in mind-numbing education classes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while an Education major may seem like the obvious choice for aspiring teachers, it can be a tedious and impractical path. Instead, students should consider majoring in fields such as mathematics, English, a foreign language, a scientific field, history, economics, music, or art. These majors can provide a solid foundation for teaching and potentially open up a wider range of career opportunities in the education sector.