Teaching is a time-honored profession that is important to the well being of society. Family and Consumer Sciences high school teachers are especially important to this mission as they educate young people to use information to make decisions that will impact their future. Persons with a strong interest in working with young people should consider a teaching degree in Family and Consumer Sciences.

Here are the facts:

Results of a recent national study indicate that high school Family and Consumer Sciences teachers either are or will soon be in demand in many states where the supply of teachers does not meet the need! This shortage is attributed to two key factors:

1. the dramatic decline in numbers of Family and Consumer Sciences teacher education graduates which began in the 1980s
2. the large number of current practicing Family and Consumer Sciences teachers who are approaching retirement.

Mississippi is a leader nationally in introducing a new technology-based Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum, and the need for licensed teachers will only grow. The impending shortage of Family and Consumer Sciences teachers is critical both in Mississippi and the nation!

Family and Consumer Sciences is not your mother’s "home ec" anymore! Following is a list of courses taught in selected Mississippi high schools and vo-tech centers:

• Family Dynamics: preparing high school students to make sound decisions affecting their future families. All Mississippi high schools must offer this course.
• Resource Management: learning to make critical financial decisions
• Nutrition and Wellness: learning the science of sound nutrition and its impact on individuals throughout the life span
• Family and Individual Health: exploring factors that affect health and wellness
• Personal Development: helping teenagers develop good personal qualities
• Child Development: learning about human development from conception through early childhood
• Other: Family and Consumer Sciences teachers can also teach in high school Occupational Programs (such as food production, childcare, and clothing production) and in statewide 7^th grade Career Discovery programs in Mississippi. Some additional on-the-job training is required to teach these courses.

Completion of a Bachelor of Science in Human Sciences (Human Sciences Education option) degree from the School of Human Sciences at Mississippi State University leads to licensure to teach these courses.

• Opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people
• Excellent FCS teaching opportunities in many Mississippi counties (urban and rural)
• Good benefits (insurance, retirement); job security
• 9-month contracts which permit extra personal time
• 1999-2000 starting base salary (bachelor's degree) of $23,040 plus district supplement ($1,838 average) plus insurance and benefits. Teachers with graduate degrees and more years of experience earn higher salaries. The current average teacher salary is $31, 913 (Mississippi Teacher Center and Mississippi Department of Education data). The 2000 Mississippi Legislature recently approved a plan of successive annual salary increases.

In addition to teaching, graduates can find rewarding employment in agencies or areas such as:

• Cooperative Extension Service as an extension agent for family and consumer education
• Public social agencies working with individuals and families
• Consumer credit counseling
• Family life education
• Parenting education
• Adult education
• Vocational education
• Government education agencies
• Public policy advocacy
• Hospitality industry

Possible employment areas requiring graduate degrees are:

• Community college instructor
• University professor
• Cooperative Extension Service specialist or program leader
• Counseling education