Careers in Education Pre-school, daycare and K-12 K Education
What academic programs are there that lead to the various levels of Teachers and Support Staff? Early Childhood Professional (Pre- school and day care) Primary and Secondary Teacher Curriculum & Instruction Coordinator Instructional Technology Coordinator Para-Educator or Teacher s s Aid Educational Leadership or Administration
How should I choose a career as a Teacher or as a support staff in Education? Is your desire to work with younger aged children? Do you relate well with adolescent or teenaged children? Perhaps you are an academic and want to support teachers with curriculum development? Perhaps you want to help educators with technology? Perhaps you want to lead a staff of teachers? Or support teachers at a policy level?
How do I prepare for a career in education? If you want to work with children that are not in school yet 3-K you will need to complete an early childhood Education program. Generally an associate s degree is adequate to work with pre-school aged children. If you want to work with students from ages 6-11 or grades 1-6; you will need to complete a Bachelor s degree and a teacher certification program (1 year). Generally speaking you can complete a Bachelor s in Elementary Education or General Studies. Most elementary teachers teach all subjects so a general degree with a mix of Arts, Mathematics, Science, English and Humanities is adequate. A 5 th year or teacher certification program teaches you how to develop curriculum, classroom management, Education history, pedagogy and Law.
How Should I choose a career in Education? (cont.) If you want to teach at the middle school or high school level you will need to have a Bachelor s degree or specific coursework in the subject you teach. Then you can complete a teacher certification program (1 year). Most high school teacher s have a Master s degree, but a BA is accepted also. Teachers at this level have a license with specific subject endorsements. The endorsements for each subject require specific coursework that covers the depth and breadth of a discipline area, such as History or Math. For specific endorsement coursework you would ask the school where you do your teacher preparation. Each school will have a list of classes you will need to take to be endorsed in the various subjects. For specific subject area competencies for Washington State go to: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/profed/competency.aspx
What are the requirements to get my license to teach in Washington State? When you have completed a BA and Certification program you apply for your teaching license through the state you teach in. Each state has its own governing body and requirements. Once you have completed a teacher preparation program in Washington, which includes a quarter or semester of supervised student teaching, you can apply for your residential license through the Washington State Office of Public Instruction. http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/profed
What is the average salary range for teachers? Teachers are paid for their education level and years of experience, they are required to complete 150 credit hours of professional development every five years or the equivalent of 15 college credits. Much of this is offered through their school district for free or at a minimal cost. Early Childhood Professional $12,000 to $30,000 Certified K-12 K Teachers $25,000 to $52,000 Instructional Technology $27,000 TO $52,000 Curriculum & Instruction $30,000 to $80,000
What is the future outlook for jobs in education? (K-12) The Employment Outlook is Excellent-to-Good The opportunity for advancement looks good Some teachers choose to become administrators at the school level or district level after years of teaching; the future looks excellent for school administrators also.
If I am not interested in teaching but want to work with K-12 students, what other jobs are there in an Educational Setting? There are educational support jobs that require their own preparation and licensing regulations through each state. School Nurse Diagnostician Psychologist, Social Worker/Counselor Speech Language Pathologist Occupational Therapist Art Therapist Librarian
What is the salary range for student support jobs? Depending on the position; student support jobs can pay anywhere from $20,000 on the low end (w/ little or no education), up to $87,000 on the high end. Salary is commensurate with education and years of experience.
Other Jobs continued Support Staff Instructional Aide Career Guidance Technician School Bus Driver Cafeteria Manager Campus Monitor
What if I am not sure that I want to be a teacher, but would like to gain some experience to make an informed decision? If you want to see if teaching is for you, you could volunteer in a school as a tutor or to help in the library. Try out teaching by seeking a position as a teacher s aid or para- educator in a public or private school. You will be working in the classroom with students and see how a classroom is before you make the commitment of time, energy and money towards a BA or MA and teaching preparation.
What Administrative Careers are there in Education? Administrators - Department Heads, Curriculum Specialists Principal Assistant Principal Superintendent Assistant Superintendent Program Director Instructional Supervisor
What do Administrators typically make? Administrators, depending on responsibilities, make in the range of $64,000 to $200,000. This depends on education level and years of experience also. Principals and Vice Principals have to complete at least 3 years of full time teaching before they can enter a preparation program and apply for their administrative license through the state of Washington. There are separate certificate or graduate degree requirements for Administrative licensing through Washington State. Through a program, eager future administrators learn how to lead, manage budgetary issues, problem solve and deal with political and judicial concerns, etc
How do I find out more about Careers in Education? Come to the Career Services Center in Room 1102E. We are happy to assist you with helping you find and plan your BA degree and Teacher Preparation program based on your individual needs and interests. Call (206) 344-4383 to make an appointment today!