Starting teacher salaries are typically higher in charter schools than in traditional public schools. This is because teachers who work at charter schools tend to be younger and have relatively little experience.
Teachers who work in charter schools also tend to have more flexible schedules, which can allow them to teach part-time or take on other projects outside of school hours. This flexibility has allowed many teachers from traditional public schools to transition into teaching at charter schools, where they can earn a higher salary than they would have in their previous position.
The average teacher salary for those working in charter schools is $50,000 annually.
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* |
