Teachers—Self-Enrichment Education Job Description, Career as a Teachers—Self-Enrichment Education, Salary, Employment

Education and Training: Formal training

Salary: Median— $16.08 per hour

Employment Outlook: Good

Self-enrichment teachers provide instructions to students in various self-improvement and recreational subjects. Such classes are usually informal in nature, and hence self-enrichment teachers can adopt a wide array of techniques and styles in order to make the subject more interesting. Most self-enrichment programs center around life skills or other recreational activities, and even those that focus on academic areas are taught in a non-academic backdrop.

Programs in self-enrichment are generally voluntary, and can be of very short duration. Consequently, self-enrichment teachers focus on each individual student, giving them the opportunity to get hands-on experience in the area, and offering them suggestions about ways to improve their techniques. Since the courses deal with subjects ranging from time management, personal finance, music, sculpture, to cooking, marriage preparation, and religion, self-enrichment teachers need to be very knowledgeable in their field and also stay abreast of latest developments.

Education and Training Requirements

Self-enrichment teachers normally do not require any specific educational or training background. However, they do need to have expertise in their field of specialization. Formal education in subjects like music, dance, photography, or arts can act as an added bonus to those wishing to enter the profession. In fact, candidates having such training are often preferred by employers. For instance, dance programs teach students various kinds of dance forms like ballet, salsa, and waltz, among others. Hence, a candidate having such training is preferred for the position of a teacher in that particular field.

In order to achieve success as a self-enrichment teacher, one should not only possess the knowledge and expertise, but also have certain basic attributes like good communication skills, patience, and the ability to explain the subject to students.

Getting the Job

Self-enrichment teachers looking for employment can visit local schools and colleges where such programs are taught. A number of private companies also offer self enrichment programs, and job openings with them are often advertised in newspapers and job sites on the Internet. One can directly get in touch with such educational institutes or organizations, and apply for jobs.

Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook

Self-enrichment teachers working in part-time jobs may, with time, be able obtain full-time teaching positions. With experience, one can also take up positions such as program administrator, coordinator, or director. Mentoring new teachers can also be a possible career advancement move. However, on the whole, career advancement possibilities in this profession are limited.

The field of self-enrichment education is expected to grow, and employment opportunities will increase by more than 20% in the next decade. Teachers specializing in subjects like arts, cooking, and crafts, will be offered better opportunities. Also, due to the increasing popularity of subjects like computers, the Internet, personal finance, and self-improvement, those teaching such classes will have better job prospects in the near future.

Working Conditions

A large number of self-enrichment teachers are either self-employed, or work in part-time positions. Such people generally pursue a different occupation, and teach self-enrichment programs to augment their income. However, the opportunity to teach a subject of one’s choice can be extremely rewarding for most people.

Self-enrichment programs usually offer classes in the evenings or during weekends and vacations. Hence, teachers in this profession have to work odd hours. Nevertheless, since students attending these programs are highly self-motivated, self-enrichment teachers can get a lot of satisfaction from their jobs.

Where to Go for More Information

MENC: The National Association for Music Education
1806 Robert Fulton Dr.
Reston, VA 20191
(800) 336-3768
http://www.menc.org/

National Recreation and Park Association
22377 Belmont Ridge Road
Ashburn, VA 20148-4501
http://www.nrpa.org

National Education Association
1201 16th Street, NW.
Washington, DC 20036
http://www.nea.org

Association for Career and Technical Education
1410 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
http://www.acteonline.org

National Association for the Education of Young Children
1509 16th Street, NW.
Washington, DC 20036
http://www.naeyc.org

Earnings and Benefits

According to research in May 2006, the median hourly salary of self-enrichment teachers was $16.08. The mean annual salaries for those in this profession range from $47,350 to $56,070. Self-enrichment teachers employed in elementary and secondary schools were in the lowest earning bracket while those in professional schools, colleges, or universities earned the highest. The wages are largely dependent on the hours of work and sometimes, also on the number of students. Those in part-time jobs are likely to be paid for each class they teach.

Self-enrichment teachers are offered few benefits other than their salaries, and sometimes health insurance.