What Are the Benefits of Becoming a Teacher?

Summer off is a well-known teaching benefit, but it’s not the only one.

In fact, there are many, as the profession blends perks, fulfillment and purpose to encourage and inspire educators to serve their students.

“Although I didn’t initially plan on becoming a teacher, I’m so glad I found my way into education. It’s incredibly rewarding to share my subject knowledge with students,” said Richa Gupta, a Rutgers Alternate Route teacher.

Gupta’s joy in sharing their passion is just one benefit of pursuing an education career. Teachers also enjoy bonus discounts from retailers, save money when buying a home and engage in unique professional development resources. Most importantly, however, teachers have an opportunity to show up for those who need them most, which, in the case of teachers of color like Gupta, there are additional benefits.

While New Jersey’s student body is extremely diverse, its teaching force is overwhelmingly white at 83 percent, with some districts reaching 93 percent. Teachers of color entering the workforce play an important role in improving student representation, as a prepared and diverse teaching force only benefits students.

Each person’s reason for becoming a teacher is unique, and understanding the profession’s benefits can encourage someone to take the next step toward teaching.

Curious about learning more? Read on to learn more benefits of being a teacher.
 

Sharing a passion

Everyone has a passion or topic they love, and teaching offers a platform for sharing it with others. Teachers and the passion they have toward their subjects are so often linked that researchers devoted a study to it in 2024 and found that love is in the air.

“Four of the scholars included in the review generally refer to the romantic notion of love as the passion a teacher has for her subject…” it states.

Love a particular subject? Teaching is one of the best ways for someone to indulge their favorite topic every day and challenge themselves to present its concepts in new and diverse ways.

Impacting lives

Everyone has that one teacher who made school worth attending and dreams worth pursuing. Full-time teachers give dozens of students that feeling every day by feeding their potential. Teachers stoke curiosity, foster engagement and grow knowledge through helping students make important connections.

“The work that educators have been tasked to do is so profound,” said Joseph Garcia-Dziuba, a mentor to new Rutgers Alternate Route teachers. “Under our tutelage, we have the opportunity to change the trajectory of an individual’s life and influence the trajectory of our society.”

The website typing.com surveyed 1,000 Americans on positive educator experiences and nearly all (96%) had one teacher who had an impact on their academic success. Additionally, 65% said that a teacher inspired them to have greater self-worth. 
Being a mirror for students

In New Jersey, students of color represent 56% of schools, however, their teachers do not reflect the student body. Only 16% of New Jersey’s teachers are non-white. Paulina Vas, a Rutgers Alternate Route teacher, shares how necessary it is for students to see themselves reflected in their teachers.

“...my learning experience was one where none of my teachers reflected how my family or I looked,” Vas said. “None of the educators or frankly any adults in the school buildings shared my culture or my language. Even my Spanish teacher was Italian.”

According to state data, more than 121,500 students see zero teachers of their same race. It’s a statistic Garcia-Dziuba, like Vas, is passionate about changing.

“As a first-generation educator of color, I am constantly fueled by the desire to be the person I needed when I was younger. I seek experiences that allow me to play an active role in building a world where opportunity doesn't depend on where you are born or what you look like,” Garcia-Dziuba said. 

Summers off

Summer break never has to end for educators. Teaching’s best-known benefit gives teachers an opportunity to deepen their passions, explore new interests, make extra money, develop their professional skills and more.

One of Rutgers Alternate Route’s most popular blogs this year is 20 International and Domestic Travel Opportunities for Educators, which introduces educators to programs that combine travel with professional development. These programs recognize the unique opportunity teachers have and leverage that to expand educators’ horizons and help bring multicultural learning into more classrooms.

Staying close to home also has its own possibilities, especially with New Jersey’s rich history and natural resources. Keeping a packed calendar and full wallet is simple in the Garden State, with dozens of outdoor activities available to experience for free.

Year-round discounts

Rutgers Alternate Route readers are familiar with the discounts and deals available to teachers. The annual blog is a fan favorite, with more than 2,500 people clicking the link between May and August 2025.

Discounts for teachers are typically year-round, with many one-time discounts during Teacher Appreciation Week. A few brands and products include Canva, iRobot, Samsung, Amazon, Costco and more.

Assistance with homebuying 

Yes, becoming a teacher can help with buying a home. The Teacher Next Door program serves educators, government workers, veterans, active service members, law enforcement officers and first-time homebuyers.

“We admittedly do not know much about the real estate market,” said Shannon Pickrell, a teacher who used the program. “Teacher Next Door handled everything behind the scenes, which allowed us to be able to focus on house shopping with our realtor.”

Participants enjoy a more streamlined experience and save money on expenses such as application fees and appraisal. To be considered for Teacher Next Door, there is an application process and consultation with a representative.

“All told, we saved somewhere around $3,000 in the process, and they did help us secure a very strong low interest rate,” Timothy Farrell, a special education teacher who used the program. “Also, it was great to have pre-approval for our mortgage from early on in the shopping process because homes were selling so quickly on the market.”  

A program that creates more teaching opportunities

Are you ready to teach? Becoming a substitute teacher or paraprofessional is a great way for future teachers to get a taste of day-to-day life as an educator. These support roles mirror those of full-time, certified teachers, making learning on the job ideal for training.

ParaPreppED, an NJDOE-funded teacher apprenticeship initiative, has leveraged that on-the-job learning to help districts grow their teaching pool. The program makes becoming a certified teacher accessible to those who already hold a four-year degree. Emphasizing training on the job helps teaching candidates make the most of their time while receiving quality education and mentorship.

Resources from the Teacher Apprenticeship Network provide additional support for Rutgers Graduate School of Education to partner with districts to promote the apprenticeship, establish new USDOL-approved teacher registered teacher apprenticeship programs, and recruit talent.

The program’s format accommodates the unique experiences and needs of substitute teachers and paraprofessionals, making the appropriate channels easy for them to reach.

Overall, the program aims to:

• Increase the number of Registered Teacher Apprenticeships in the state;
• Expand the teacher pipeline, leveraging the existing district talent;
• Address barriers for aspiring teachers through targeted support like Praxis prep; and
• Conduct and disseminate ongoing research on the implementation and impact of the initiative.

ParaPreppED is driven by the expressed interests of district leaders who wish to identify overlooked or hidden teaching talent among eligible paraprofessionals and substitutes the district can support to fill teaching vacancies, including those in Special Education, Science and Math, and English as a Second Language or Bilingual Education.

If you’re considering following your dream of teaching, Rutgers Alternate Route can offer you the support and training you need to succeed. Be sure to follow Rutgers Alternate Route on Twitter and sign up for Alternate Route’s monthly newsletter for more information and stories from the field of education.