How to Become a Teacher (The Elementary and Secondary School Teaching Career Ladder)

In the U.S., the need for qualified teachers has continued to rise, as many states are experiencing significant shortages at both the elementary and high school levels. Although teaching salaries vary greatly depending on your grade level and geographic location, the education industry has many avenues to support upward mobility and growth for teachers. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide valuable insights to help you climb the teaching career ladder and achieve your long-term goals.

How to Become an Elementary School Teacher?

To become an elementary school teacher, you’ll need to complete a four-year degree in elementary education and finish your student teaching requirements to obtain teaching credentials within your state. The average annual salary for elementary school teachers was $61,350 in 2021, with a projected growth rate of seven percent over the next ten years. In addition, as an elementary school teacher, you may be eligible to receive compensation for college tuition after completing a certain number of years in your district.

How to Become a Secondary School Teacher

Secondary school teachers provide education to students in grades seven through twelve. To become certified as a secondary school teacher in your state, you’ll need to complete a four-year degree in your topic and obtain a single subject teaching credential. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for secondary education teachers was $61,820 in 2021. These positions also offer a variety of paths for upward growth in administrative and leadership roles.

How to Become an ESL Teacher

Whether you’re planning to work with elementary or high school students, you’ll need to complete a four-year degree in ESL education and finish your student teaching before you can obtain your credential. Pursuing additional training and certifications in the language you specialize in is worthwhile, as this can help differentiate you from the competition during your job search.

Obtain a Master’s Degree in Education

In many states, you’re expected to pursue a master’s degree in education as a requirement over your first five years of teaching. This is the case for both elementary school teachers and secondary education teachers. The good news is that many school districts will offer to pay a significant portion of your tuition. Although this is often a mandatory requirement, obtaining a master’s degree will also benefit your long-term career prospects and help you secure higher-paying positions as you climb the teaching career ladder.

How to Climb the Teaching Career Ladder

Climbing the teaching career ladder takes time, diligence, and years of experience within the industry. That said, you can take steps to fuel your future career growth. Organizations take notice of teachers who go above and beyond what is expected of them. If your resume shows that you’ve been diligent in growing your teaching skills and providing support for your community, it can help you stand out from the field of applicants as you pursue higher-level teaching positions. Below, you’ll find some expert tips to help you climb the teaching career ladder:

Obtain Additional Certifications

Another way you can secure higher-paying opportunities and promotions within your district is by obtaining a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification. Although this isn’t required to pursue a teaching career, having additional certifications will demonstrate that you’ve been proactive in continuing to grow as an educator, which will make a positive impression on prospective employers.

Attend Industry Conferences and Networking Groups

To maximize your long-term career prospects, you’ll want to create a network of professional contacts within the education space. Attending industry conferences can benefit you in multiple ways. In addition to networking with other teachers and educators, you can also list these conferences on your resume, which will show hiring managers that you’ve taken steps to keep yourself up to date on emerging trends, educational strategies, and teaching methodologies. Another way you can build out your network is to interface with education professionals on LinkedIn, which will also enhance your online presence during the job search.

Volunteer in Your Community

Becoming involved in your community outreach can go a long way in improving your long-term career prospects. Volunteering for outreach initiatives, charity fundraisers, and summer programs will demonstrate your commitment to service and help you build relationships within your community. One of the best ways to climb the teaching ladder is to grow your presence and reputation within your district. When people know who you are and what you bring to the table, you’ll be much more likely to secure your ideal teaching position in the future.

Highlight Your Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Creating safe and inclusive classroom environments is incredibly important within the education field, so you’ll want to highlight your contributions to building school communities that value diversity and cultural awareness. One way you could do this is by becoming involved on a school committee focusing on ensuring classroom equity. You could also volunteer for community and school events to help raise awareness. Demonstrating your commitment and experience in driving inclusion within your district will also speak volumes about who you are as both a person and an educator when pursuing leadership roles later in your career.

Create an Accomplishment-driven Resume

As you continue to gain experience within the teaching field, you’ll want to create a strong accomplishment-driven resume to secure interviews for higher-level roles. The key to crafting a compelling teacher resume is to focus on the positive impact you’ve had on your students and organization. Whether referencing an increase in average test scores or showcasing your ability to grow student engagement with the subject material, you want to avoid creating a document filled with mundane job responsibilities.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Organization

Building a strong cover letter can help complement your resume as you look for your next job opportunity. Many job seekers make the common mistake of creating a generic cover letter they send with any application. If you want to make a positive impression on the hiring manager, you want to take the time to talk about the school you’re applying to and how your background aligns with their core values and needs.

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).