How Hard is it to Get a Job as an Elementary School Teacher?

The understanding is that becoming a teacher doesn’t require years of post-grad degrees, and many people look for teaching jobs right out of college because it seems an excellent way to join the workforce quickly. However, you may be wondering, aside from degrees, how hard is it to get a job as an elementary school teacher?

It’s not hard to get a job as an elementary school teacher, but it requires several certifications that take hundreds of hours to complete. Given the high need for teachers, most schools want to hire new teachers quickly. They also need the fewest requirements compared to other teachers.

The rest of this article will explain a few topics related to this question in great detail, including the certifications elementary teachers need, the high demand for teachers, and the differences in requirements for teaching at different grade levels.

Table of Contents

The Demand for Teachers Is Very High

A critical aspect to examine when considering the ease of getting an elementary school teaching position is the demand for teachers. The ability to quickly get a teaching position often depends significantly on teacher demand within a state or district.

In general, there is often high demand for teachers, which is due to a relatively high teacher turnover rate or teacher attrition. This refers to the percentage of teachers that leave the profession each year.

In states such as Maryland and Washington, teacher attrition rates hover close to 10% each year.

The more teachers that don’t return to teach the following year, the higher the demand for new teachers. The need for teachers is relatively constant, meaning that schools will be willing to hire most applicants who have completed their requirements and seem like reliable, professional options.

And some districts are now willing to accept those with an Associate’s degree, a set number of approved training hours, and who pass the licensing exam.

Positions in High Demand

Within elementary schools, certain positions have an exceptionally high demand for teachers due to high teacher turnover. Some subjects that have an increased need for more teachers are:

English as a Second Language (ESL)
Math
Science

Social Studies
Special Education

If you apply to teach in one of these positions, it is more likely that you will be hired for the job quickly. It’s difficult for schools to say no to candidates applying for these positions because there are few alternative options.

Within elementary school, there is often a higher need for upper elementary teachers than lower elementary. Upper elementary refers to grades four through six, and if you apply to be an upper elementary school teacher, you will also have a better chance of being hired since there is a high need for upper elementary teachers.

Variations Of Schools, Districts, and Grade Levels

There is a lot of variation regarding the ease of getting a job depending on the state and district, type of school, and grade level you are teaching.

State Requirements For Teachers

Some states have more requirements to receive your credential than others. For example, California, Connecticut, and New York have additional requirements that are included in their teaching certification process.

In California, teachers must also receive training in teaching English Language Learners (ELLs) as part of the certification process, which makes the process of obtaining a certification longer and more complex.

For more information about teaching requirements in particular states, you can check out this Youtube video on how to become a licensed teacher:

Public vs. Private Schools Vary In Their Requirements

Another vital factor to consider when looking for a teaching job is if you are applying to a public or private school. It can vary widely, but several private schools have fewer requirements. Sometimes, private schools do not require teachers to have a teaching certification and can be accepted with just a bachelor’s degree.

However, other private schools require teachers to complete additional requirements to work at their schools.

For example, some private schools may require teachers to have prior teaching experience before considering hiring them. While most public schools may prefer to hire teachers with previous experience, it’s not in their requirements for the hiring process.

Grade Level

Finally, it is essential to consider the different needs that accompany the grade level you teach.

Some people may think it easiest to get hired for an elementary school position because it doesn’t require that you are certified in one subject area, like in high schools.

Instead of specific knowledge demonstrated by a single subject credential, you are expected to have general teaching knowledge for elementary school. Many people consider this more manageable because it doesn’t require in-depth knowledge of one subject area.

Another reason it may be easier to be hired in elementary school than middle or high school is that high school teachers are also often asked to help with an additional task, such as a sport or club.

In high school, teachers often serve as teachers and a coach or club managers. Elementary schools typically don’t have this system, so it is one less requirement for teachers.

Required Certifications To Get a Job As a Teacher

You might be tempted to think that there are no requirements other than an undergraduate degree to be a teacher. However, there are a few basic requirements that you must complete if you want to be an elementary school teacher.

Undergraduate/Bachelor’s Degree

The most standard requirement is that you must have an undergraduate or bachelor’s degree, which is usually a requirement in all states in the United States. While some schools may prefer that you study a particular subject as an undergrad, there are no requirements in elementary schools about the nature of your degree.

However, to apply as a substitute teacher, you might be okay with an Associate degree, supplemental training, and taking a licensing exam administered by the state.

Whether you have an undergraduate degree in art, writing, or chemistry, any of these degrees will be accepted by the elementary school where you are applying to work. Some schools may prefer that you have your undergraduate degree in Psychology or Education, but it is not required.

If you choose to receive your master’s degree or doctorate, you may be compensated with a higher salary.

On average, teachers with a doctorate earn an additional $15,000 per year. Also, some schools may be more tempted to hire you if you have a higher degree. However, these degrees are not required.

Teaching Credential Or a License

Aside from your undergraduate degree, you will also need a teaching credential if you want to teach in an elementary school. A teaching credential, often referred to as a teaching license, is a series of courses and standardized tests teachers take to demonstrate their competency in teaching strategies.

While all teachers, regardless of the state they teach in, must have a teaching credential, requirements for teaching credentials can vary by state.

In some states that require a more rigorous process to get your certificate, it can take up to a year to receive your credential. Some programs combine your undergraduate degree and teaching credential, but this is less likely.

You will be required to take several classes, pass standardized tests, and even work as a student-teacher and with a mentor coach as part of your credential process. This is no simple task, requiring over 600 hours of courses, tests, and classroom work.

As part of the mentorship program, you have to submit video evidence of your lessons, lesson plans, and self-evaluation documents.

Some teachers may only complete their multiple subjects credential to teach in a general education setting from any grade, from Kindergarten to sixth or eighth grade. Based on the subject they want to teach, other teachers may also need a single subject credential, demonstrating sufficient knowledge within a specific subject area.

For example, if a teacher wants to teach in a 5th-grade science position, they may be asked to get their multiple subjects and science teaching credentials. While some elements of the two certifications can be combined, receiving the two certificates will be more work.

Renewing Your Credential

Another essential factor to consider is that you must renew your credential in many states.

When you first receive your certificate, it will be a preliminary one. You then have five years to clear your credential, meaning you need to complete a teacher induction program, which is a type of mentorship program.

This mentorship program requires you to work closely with a mentor who is usually provided by the district you work in. Your mentor will take you through a series of questions, evaluations, and lesson observations.

They will give you feedback and you must demonstrate that you are incorporating the feedback into your lesson planning.

Once you’ve cleared your credential, you have another five years before your credential expires. In some states, you must prove that you have completed a certain number of professional development hours to renew your credential.

In other states, you simply have to pay a renewal fee.

Overall the requirements to become an elementary teacher are not quick and easy. You must dedicate hundreds of hours to courses, training, in-person classroom work, and mentorship programs.

Conclusion

You need to complete several requirements to become an elementary school teacher. The requirements can take hundreds of hours overall and require renewal. However, due to the high demand for teachers , once you have passed the tests and received your teaching certification, elementary schools will quickly hire you.