As a teacher, you’re making a difference in the lives of children every day. That’s why we want to make sure you know how much money you can make as a teacher in California in 2017.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, teachers’ salaries increased by 5% between 2013 and 2016. But what does that mean for your paycheck?
In California, the average teacher salary is $50,000 per year. If you’re just starting out as a teacher, though, you’ll probably make less than that—around $42K per year.
WHAT IS A TEACHER?
A teacher is someone who educates a group of students about a specific subject or teaches age-appropriate concepts to a group of students. They may work with young children, teenagers or adults. School teachers are typically responsible for using curriculum guidelines to develop age-appropriate lesson plans for their students. They teach the class and use tests and assignments to assess the progress of their students. Teachers in elementary schools normally teach a number of subjects to students in one grade, while teachers in middle school, high school and college normally specialize in a specific subject area that they teach. Elementary, middle and high school teachers need a bachelor’s degree and their teaching license. Some states may require high school teachers to have a master’s degree in their subject area. Postsecondary teachers typically need a master’s or doctoral degree.
Becoming A Teacher
Studying right to teach right
In order to be able to pursue the further education required to qualify to be a teacher, you would need to have a GED/high school degree to be able to pursue this further education. You might even need to have a certain minimum grade to qualify. Then you need to get your degree in education. Find the degree requirements in your state or the state you will be practicing in and work accordingly. And always remember what you would be saying to the kids after you become a teacher, applied to you as well – The better your grades, the better are your chances.
Earn your certification
You will need to clear a series of tests in addition to the degree you have earned, only after which you would be allowed to become a teacher. These tests would get you that essential certification. Based on your state’s requirements, fulfil the necessary requirements. If a background check and fingerprinting is required, get it done and clear it.
Fall in love with kids
Get some experience in handling kids. Volunteer for classes or get a job at day care centres. A lot of schools will not consider employing you if you don’t have experience working with kids. So prepare in advance and get the required experience.
Decide where you would want to teach
You need to decide where you would want to teach – at a public school, at an at-risk school, private school, college, online school or just be a private tutor. A public school would be state-funded and would require the most training and effort but would lead to more secure employment as well as attractive benefits. At-risk schools are low income where students often fall into a life of drugs or crime or dropping out and teaching at them is rewarding while also being challenging and dangerous. It might also help you get your student debt forgiven. Private schools would be run by companies or churches, and they pay better while also having better behaving students.
You could choose to teach at a college but it would require at least a Master’s, may be even a PhD. They pay would be better, but your resources would be much fewer. Teaching at an online school is a good option but it would not be a very secure job, with no benefits and not very lucrative either. And if it is flexibility and one-on-one contact you desire, that being a private tutor at a tutor centre or working on your own would work the best for you.
What Does a Teacher Do?
Teachers work in public or private childcare centers, elementary and high schools, and postsecondary schools. Some teachers also work online from their home office or find employment in corporate training. Many teachers work a portion of the year, enjoying an extended break during summers. Most school systems also provide extended breaks around holidays.
During the school year, teachers typically work Monday-Friday in the classroom. However, many teachers spend nights and weekends grading papers and developing lesson plans for the coming week. Summers may also include continuing education or professional development.
Duties include developing lesson plans that align with established academic standards and delivering instruction to students. Teachers develop hands-on activities and assignments that allow students to practice what they have learned and build mastery of skills. They incorporate a variety of materials into their instruction, such as textbooks, supplemental reading, videos, and online presentations. They also develop assessments to measure how well students have learned the material so they can adjust instructional methods or refer students for tutoring.
Teachers below the college level communicate with parents about a child’s progress and share information about how parents can support learning at home. They also share information about disciplinary actions and may refer students to assessment for special education services. Teachers serve as part of a team to help students succeed, so they communicate closely with counselors, administrators, and other teachers. However, teachers must also protect student information and avoid sharing it with unauthorized individuals.
Teachers work with other teachers to develop new learning resources or provide training on new technology. Experienced teachers pair with new teachers to serve as mentors, providing coaching and support during their first years. Other teachers serve in leadership positions in their school, identifying areas for improvement, coordinating faculty groups, or implementing new school initiatives. Some teachers take on extracurricular responsibilities, such as coaching or advising clubs. These activities can enhance the student’s academic experience, but the teachers usually find their workday extended.
Teachers may work with young children, kindergarten and elementary students, secondary students, postsecondary students, or adult learners. Many teachers also specialize in subject areas, such as English, math, or art. Special education teachers undergo specialized training to work with students with special needs, such as cognitive delays, physical disabilities, or learning disorders. Some educators find their way to the profession after working in an occupational or vocational career, helping bring new professionals to the field and offering their expertise.
How To Become A Good Teacher
Before choosing a career stream as a teacher one must analyze if teaching is the right profession for he/she. A great teacher should have the following qualities:
- Passion
- Credibility
- Creativity
- Flexibility
- Discipline
- Compassion
Teacher Qualifications, Primary Teacher Qualification
Basically, there are three levels of a teaching degree in the education sector and they are as follows:
- Diploma
- Bachelors
- Masters
If you would like to teach for primary students then you need a diploma degree that is D.Ted., and if you would like to teach for secondary students then you need a bachelors degree that is (B.Ed.,) whereas Masters degree that is (M.Ed.,) will be helpful for future promotions.
- a)The course duration of the Diploma (D.Ted.) and Bachelors (B.Ed.) programs are generally two years.
- b)The course duration of the Master’s that is M.Ed. programs will be around one year.
- c)To study D.Ted., degree candidates must have passed the 12th standard (graduated from senior secondary school) with the minimum qualification.
- d)To study B.ED., degree candidates must require a Bachelor’s of Arts or Sciences (B.A. or B.S.) degree.
- e)Having a B.Ed., degree is essential for getting an M.Ed degree.
Here are the various education levels for US learners prior to reaching university:
| Teaching Level | Age Group or Grade Level |
| Early Childhood Education (ECE) | Ages 0-8 |
| Preschool / Pre-Kindergarten | Ages 3-5 |
| Elementary | Ages 4-11, Grades K-5 |
| Middle School | Ages 11-14, Grades 6-8 |
| High School | Ages 14-18, Grades 9-12 |
| Special Education | All Ages & Grades |
In the first three teaching levels above, the students are younger and the curriculum is broader. Therefore, a teacher here would be responsible for instructing across multiple subjects.
Future teachers of middle school and high school levels instead must specialize in a particular area (biology, geography, etc.), as these students’ widening knowledge calls for it.
Special education (as opposed to general education, above) teachers are those who instruct children with various learning disabilities and developmental disorders.
How to get a teaching certificate?
Here are the general steps (in most states) to get a teaching certification or license:
- Obtain a relevant bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a district- or state-approved teacher preparation program.
- Pass required exams in the school district and/or state (like the Praxis).
- Submit a state teaching license application.
Check the US Department of Education website for resources state by state. For how to get a teaching certificate if you already have a bachelor’s degree, we’ll get to that in just a moment.
Get teaching experience in the classroom
Obtaining teaching experience is a requirement for most teachers. But wait, how do I get classroom experience if I’m not yet licensed to teach?
Most future teachers (depending on location) need a certain number of hours of supervised classroom teaching experience if they want to get licensed. Similar to flight hours before becoming a full-fledged pilot, these student teaching hours can come during your studies or after you graduate.
Consider the national board certification
The National Board Certification is a US teaching certificate for teachers who have at least three years of full-time classroom experience. Though optional, the national teacher certification is just about the highest that a general education or special education teacher can receive.
Alternative teacher certification
An alternative teacher certification is a way for someone to obtain a teaching license without completing a traditional teacher certification program. Though a bachelor’s degree is still required, the certification test and the supervised classroom teaching may not have to be completed. In the US, an alternative teacher certification is offered in 48 states and Washington DC. Check out the National Association for Alternative Certification for more.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Teacher?
The time it takes to become a teacher varies drastically, mostly based on the students’ age and education level.
You may not need experience and more than the basic certification to teach younger children. However, the older the pupils, the longer it takes for aspiring teachers to get work-ready.
How many years of college to be a teacher? In general, it will take at least four years to become qualified to teach, including the time it takes to earn the minimum degree and certification requirements.
Components of a Successful Teacher Career: Skills, Credentials, Tools, and Technology
Successful teachers possess a love for their students. They also need the ability to express ideas through verbal and written communication, helping individuals understand new or complex concepts. They must listen carefully to assess student needs and adjust their instructional methods to meet each student’s learning needs.
Teachers must keep their classroom organized, keeping up with multiple assignments, due dates, and student work. They need good time management skills since they have only so many hours and days to cover the curriculum. Good teachers use their creativity to develop engaging lessons. They rely on their problem-solving skills to find solutions to student problems or concerns.
Skills in analytical reasoning and data management help teachers develop effective student assessments and measure academic growth. These skills also help teachers evaluate prior student performance and identify specific skill gaps they must address before moving forward.
Building relationships with pupils remains an essential task for teachers. They must develop cooperative relationships with students, students’ parents, and other teachers. Teachers use skills like negotiation and persuasion to help find solutions to conflicts or problems. They communicate with parents in writing and verbally, sharing information about grades and behavior.
Teachers also help their students build skills beyond those measured by standardized tests. Their assignments help students develop public speaking abilities and build confidence. Classroom management helps define and enforce standards of good behavior.
Teachers use a variety of tools to accomplish their daily tasks. Technology skills allow them to incorporate multimedia presentations or enhance instruction with online quizzes or surveys. Spreadsheets can track student performance and attendance. Teachers should understand basic word processing and email software.
What do teachers make?
Teacher salaries differ even more than the education levels. A teaching salary varies by age level, degree, school district, length of employment, subject matter, and other factors. Generally, teaching paychecks go up as the students’ age increases. Also, most teachers have two or three months free during the summer break with which they can work a part-time job, if they wish.
The average teaching salary for the US was about $61,000 for 15 years of experience. Canada was just above that at $65K, and Australia was right below, at $60K. As an average, those numbers are subject to vary, especially by education level: Kindergarten teachers in the US make an average of $40,000 per year, but middle school teachers make $61,000, more than 50% more, just for specializing in a particular subject.
| | ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS | MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS | HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS | PROFESSORS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Degree Required | Bachelor’s degree; master’s required by some states | Bachelor’s degree; master’s required by some states | Bachelor’s degree; master’s required by some states | Doctoral degree usually required |
| Education Field of Study | Early childhood education | Middle education and your specialized subject | Secondary education and your specialized subject | Your specialized subject |
| Key Responsibilities | Instruct students, manage classrooms, make lesson plans and grade work | Instruct students, manage classrooms, make lesson plans and grade work | Instruct students, manage classrooms, make lesson plans and grade work | Instruct students, create syllabi, grade work and publish articles in academic discipline |
| Licensure | Certification required in all states (Public schools) | Certification required in all states (Public schools) | Certification required in all states (Public schools) | None required |
| Job Outlook (2020-2030) | 7%* | 7%* | 8%* | 12%* |
| Average Salary (2020) | $65,420* | $64,990* | $67,340* | $86,430* |
