Navigating the Education Requirements for Teachers

A career as a teacher is a noble pursuit that carries significant social impact. Teaching is a rewarding profession that enables you to shape young minds and inspire a love of learning in future generations. A crucial factor to consider is the age group or grade level you want to teach. This article delves deeper into the educational pathways and steps in pursuing a teaching career.

Baseline Education and Degree Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is the baseline requirement for becoming a teacher across all states. A bachelor’s degree in education or a related field will prepare you to become a teacher in a K-12 school.

Degree in Education

A degree in education is the key to open doors for career advancement. A bachelor’s degree is the first step.

Alternative Degree Options

Those with a bachelor’s degree in another subject can still become elementary education teachers. They must complete a teacher education program to obtain certification to teach.

Certification and Licensure

Yes, a teaching certification is required to work in public schools. All states require teachers in public schools to be licensed or certified in the specific grade level that they will teach. Those who teach in private schools typically do not need a license.

The Certification Process

To become a licensed teacher, you'll need to pass a series of exams. This exam is crucial for obtaining licensure or certification. Another option is the National Evaluation Series, which also tests your academic knowledge and professional skills. Pass your certification exam and become a licensed teacher in your state.

Reciprocity for Out-of-State Teachers

When teachers move to a new state, they cannot immediately start looking for a teaching position; first they must seek reciprocity to gain an in-state license. The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) works with states across the country to facilitate teacher movement through reciprocity. They do this through their Interstate Agreement. All out-of-state candidates must pass the Praxis II subject test that relates to the certification they seek. Out-of-state candidates must submit evidence of their teacher effectiveness, based off the evaluations they received while teaching. Reciprocity applications that include evidence of the teacher’s effectiveness are prioritized for review.

Certificates vs. Certification

A certificate is awarded by an educational institution and signifies that a student has satisfactorily completed a given curriculum. Certification is generally awarded by a trade group after an individual has met certain professional requirements.

Traditional and Alternative Pathways

Specific alternative pathways, such as residency licenses, allow you to teach while completing licensure requirements. All states offer an alternative route to certification or licensure for people who already have a bachelor’s degree but lack the education courses required for certification. Some alternative certification programs allow candidates to begin teaching immediately after graduation, under the supervision of an experienced teacher. These programs cover teaching methods and child development. After they complete the program, candidates are awarded full certification.

Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs)

In North Carolina, aspiring teachers must complete an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) that focuses on the specific subject area or grade level they want to teach. EPPs also provide hands-on experience through practicum placements in real classrooms. This allows you to practice and develop your teaching skills under the guidance of experienced educators. There are different pathways to complete an EPP, depending on your current academic background.

Completing a Student Teaching Experience

Completing a student teaching experience will be required by your teacher education program. This experience is vital for becoming a certified teacher. While many jobs provide on the job training or training before you start, teaching typically does not. Once you start teaching, you are in charge of your own classroom and having previous experience is vital.

The Timeline for Certification

Overall, it can take four to five years to become a teacher. The timeline for teacher certification depends on your educational background and whether you are pursuing a traditional or alternative pathway.

Continuing Education and Professional Development

Teachers are frequently required to complete professional development classes to keep their license or certification. You'll also be able to enhance your teaching skills and pedagogical techniques.

Teaching in North Carolina: A Detailed Look

Interested in learning how to become a teacher in North Carolina? The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) monitors and regulates the licensing process for teachers throughout the state. North Carolina is a great place to become a teacher due to the ongoing teacher shortage, which means there are ample job opportunities for new educators.

North Carolina Initial Professional License

An Initial Professional License is valid for 3 years and is not renewable. This license is intended for new teachers. First-time teaching candidates should work towards earning this license. Although the NCDPI does not require candidates to complete a background check, the school district you seek employment with will.

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North Carolina Continuing Professional License

The Continuing Professional License is North Carolina’s certification for teachers with 3 or more years of experience. This license is available for teachers with three or more years of experience.

North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

To earn your teacher certification in North Carolina, you should start by earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. The bachelor’s degree should be in the field of education that you are interested in teaching. The school you earn your degree through should also offer a state-approved teacher education program that you will complete in addition to your degree. Both a bachelor’s degree and completion of a teacher education program are required to earn your teacher license in North Carolina. In North Carolina, teachers must possess at least a bachelor’s degree. The degree does not have to be specifically in education but should be closely related to the subject you intend to teach, and you must have a 2.7+ GPA. Ensure that your college or university has regional accreditation.

Applying for a North Carolina Teaching License

You can apply for licensure in North Carolina by creating a NCDPI Online Licensure System account. Once you have met the necessary requirements, you will need to submit your teaching license application to the state of North Carolina. You will need to pay an application fee and submit several forms and documents.

Testing Requirements in North Carolina

Prior to applying for your North Carolina teaching license, you should pass the appropriate certification exam. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the testing requirements you must meet as a North Carolina educator will vary depending on the certification you seek to earn. Below you can find detailed information about what tests you must take and pass to gain your initial license.

Praxis Exams

Praxis I:- A Praxis II exam should be taken for middle grades 6-9, secondary 9-12, and K-12 including Exceptional Children: General Curriculum certification candidates. The exact Praxis II exam you should take will vary depending on the subject and grade level you seek to teach. All secondary teachers will also need to pass the Praxis “Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12” exam. This exam is meant to test your knowledge of the teaching process.

Pearson Exams

Foundations of Reading and General Curriculum: These exams are offered by Pearson testing services for NCDPI.

Multi-Subject Sub-Test

Multi-Subject sub-test: 55 multiple-choice questions, one open-response. Multi-Subject sub-test: 2 hours. Multiple-choice section covers: Foundations of Reading Development, Development of Reading Comprehension, and Reading Assessment and Instruction. Multi-subject sub-test: Language Arts, History and Social Science, Science and Technology/Engineering, Integration of Knowledge and Understanding.

Mathematics Subtest

Mathematics subtest: 2 and a half hours.

Specific Teaching Roles in North Carolina

Elementary education in North Carolina covers Kindergarten through sixth grade.

Middle School Teachers

Middle school teachers must take the Praxis II Middle Grades exam that corresponds to their subject area of expertise.

Language Arts: The Praxis II test for language arts is broken up into four content categories.
Social Studies: This Praxis II exam will test you on the following content areas: United States History, World History, Government/Civics, Geography, and Economics. There will also be a section of three short response essays.

Secondary Education Teachers

The grade level range that offers teachers the most options in terms of subject areas for certification is secondary education. These teachers can earn certification in subjects such as biology, English, geography, and even sociology.

Health and Physical Education Teachers

Health and Physical Education: The health section of this exam covers: Health Education as a Discipline/Health instruction and Health Education Content.
Physical Education: If you are interested in teaching the health aspects of PE you must take the exam above. If you are only interested in teaching PE, this exam will meet the testing requirement.

Special Education Teachers

Earning your special education certification in North Carolina requires extensive testing. From there, each candidate must pass the Praxis Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge exam. This exam covers English, math, citizenship and social science, and science. In addition, you will need to take and pass the Praxis II exam that corresponds to the particular population you seek to work with.

ESL Teachers

In North Carolina, teachers for ESL are certified to teach K-12. To gain this certification, they must pass the Praxis II English to Speakers of Other Languages exam.

School Administrators

Before you can even begin the process for becoming a school administrator, you must hold a North Carolina professional educator’s continuing license.

Superintendent: There are two routes to gain eligibility as a superintendent. You can have at least one year of experience as a principal and have an advanced graduate level degree in school administration or you can have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education and five years of relevant experience in leadership or management. Before you can serve as a superintendent, the State Board of Education must verify that you are an eligible candidate.
Principal: There is only one route to becoming a principal in North Carolina; you must complete an approved program in school administration at the master’s level or higher.
Assistant Principal: You must complete an approved program in school administration at the master’s level or higher. Alternatively, provisional principal licenses are issued if the local board of education determines there is a shortage of qualified assistant principal candidates.

Alternative Teaching Routes in North Carolina

With teacher shortages across the country needing to be filled, alternative routes to teacher certification exist to help create new teachers without requiring teacher candidates to go back to school.

Teach for America

In North Carolina, Teach for America (TFA) works within three key areas: Charlotte, Piedmont Triad and Eastern North Carolina. In these areas, TFA seeks to find employment for diverse individuals anxious to begin a teaching career. When you work with TFA, you will work for two years in a high-needs school prior to earning your teaching certification. During this two-year commitment, you will work towards earning a North Carolina teacher certification by meeting all of the licensure requirements set forth by the NCDPI.

Lateral Entry

The NCDPI offers Lateral Entry as an alternative route for career changers seeking a teaching certification. This path allows qualified individuals to begin teaching right away and is initiated on your behalf by the school district that seeks to employ you. If you are approved, the NCDPI will authorize a three-year lateral entry professional educator’s license on a provisional basis. The license must correspond to your documented area of academic study. Lateral entry can be broken down into five basic steps:

You must qualify by passing the appropriate exam, which will either be a Praxis II exam that corresponds to your academic background or the Pearson Foundations of Reading and General Curriculum exams.
You will need to find employment. If a school hires you, they will request a lateral entry license for you from the NCDPI.
From there, you must enroll in an approved teacher education program that corresponds to the grade and subject level you are licensed to teach.
Finally, once all coursework and testing requirements are completed, the institution that you have completed the program with will send a recommendation for licensure to the NCDPI.

Residency License

We have two state-approved Educator Preparation Programs for individuals who want to teach while earning their teaching license. The N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s State Board policy states that teachers can begin without a teaching license. State Board policy also states that when hired, the residency teacher must be enrolled in a state-approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP).

Substitute Teaching

The NCDPI does not offer substitute teacher certifications. If you are interested in becoming a substitute teacher you should contact your local school district. Each school district will have its own rules and regulations for substitute teacher candidates, such as having a bachelor’s degree.

Qualities of an Effective Teacher

The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties.

Communication skills: Teachers need to discuss students’ needs with parents and administrators.
Patience: Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must respond with patience when students struggle with material.
Physical stamina: Working with kindergarten- and elementary-age students can be tiring.
Resourcefulness: Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must be able to get students engaged in learning.

Career Outlook and Salary

A recent survey of over 120,000 educators in the state indicated that 90% of educators are happy with the supportive work environment in their schools. Despite this positive outlook, there’s a significant teacher shortage. In the 2022-23 school year, nearly one in every 18 classrooms lacked a licensed teacher. For aspiring teachers, this situation presents a unique opportunity. North Carolina’s teacher shortage presents an easier job market.

Salary Expectations

A teacher’s average starting salary in North Carolina is approximately $40,136 while the average overall salary is about $56,559, according to the National Education Association (NEA). Several factors are considered when determining starting salaries for North Carolina teachers, including experience, education level, grade level, and subject area. When it comes to salaries, remember that teachers with a higher level of education, such as a master’s degree, typically make more than their fellow teachers. New teachers in North Carolina can expect to earn around $39,000 per year. According to the NCDPI, teachers with NBPTS Certification receive a higher salary.

Job Outlook

The state’s ongoing teacher shortage means ample job opportunities and the chance to make a significant impact in the community. The number of students enrolling in public kindergarten and elementary schools is expected to decrease over the projections decade. Employment growth for kindergarten and elementary school teachers also will depend on state and local government budgets.

Advancement Opportunities

Experienced teachers may advance to serve as mentors to new teachers or become lead teachers. With additional education or certification, teachers may become school counselors, school librarians, or instructional coordinators.

Specific Teaching Roles: Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers work in public and private schools. They generally work during school hours when students are present and use nights and weekends to prepare lessons and grade papers. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers usually must have at least a bachelor’s degree. Public kindergarten and elementary school teachers typically need a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Private schools typically have the same requirement.

Responsibilities

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers help students learn and apply important concepts. Many teachers use a hands-on approach to help students understand abstract concepts, solve problems, and develop critical-thinking skills. For example, they may demonstrate how to do a science experiment and then have the students conduct the experiment themselves. Elementary school typically goes from first through fifth or sixth grades. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers typically instruct students in several subjects throughout the day. Teachers may escort students to assemblies, recess, or classes taught by other teachers, such as art or music. In some schools, teachers may work on subject specialization teams in which they teach one or two specific subjects, typically either English and social studies or math and science. Some schools employ English as a second language (ESL) or English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) teachers who work exclusively with students learning the English language. Students with learning disabilities or emotional or behavioral disorders are often taught in traditional classes. Kindergarten and elementary teachers work with special education teachers to adapt lesson plans to these students’ needs and monitor the students’ progress. Some teachers use technology in their classroom as a teaching aide. They must be comfortable with using and learning new technology. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers may meet with parents, students, and other teachers before and after school.

Work Environment

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers generally work during school hours when students are present. They may meet with parents, students, and other teachers before and after school. Many kindergarten and elementary school teachers work the traditional 10-month school year and have a 2-month break during the summer. They also have a short midwinter break.

Skills

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers need to be able to explain concepts in terms young students can understand.

Job Satisfaction

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers may find it rewarding to watch students develop new skills and learn information. However, teaching may be stressful. Some schools have large classes and lack important teaching tools, such as computers and up-to-date textbooks.

Salary Information

The median annual wage for elementary school teachers, except special education was $62,340 in May 2024. The median annual wage for kindergarten teachers, except special education was $61,430 in May 2024.

Job Openings

All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Additional Resources

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of kindergarten and elementary school teachers. Instructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. School counselors help students develop academic and social skills. The Teachers of Tomorrow program in North Carolina provides support and resources to help you meet the requirements and succeed in your teaching journey.

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