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If you are a teacher who likes the idea of year-round sunshine, consider a teacher career in California. The north is home to capital city, Sacramento, and the south boasts the second most populated city in the nation, Los Angeles. California excels in agriculture, manufacturing, computer technology, biotechnology, aerospace and entertainment. With education making up the fourth largest job sector in the state, this "land of golden opportunities" promises rewarding careers for California teachers.
Why Become a Teacher in California? Whether you'd like to work in sunny San Diego or suburban San Francisco, California offers teaching opportunities in a plethora of settings. Its large Hispanic population, especially in the south, offers opportunities for bilingual teachers to flourish. While California's standardized tests show a need for improvement in most areas, their 8th grade algebra test scores top the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education's charts. California teachers also get to contribute to the state's successful college entrance rate, aided by its well-known offering of affordable in-state college programs. If any of this makes you want to become a teacher in California, browse our directory of accredited California teaching programs to get started. Some potential teachers are wary of seeking employment in California because of well-known budget cuts and the proliferation of springtime pink slip passing, a mandated warning from school districts that signals many full-time teachers throughout the state that their job may be in jeopardy that fall. However, despite the public upheaval this practice has created, only 3,000 of the 20,000 teachers who received pink slips in 2008 actually lost their jobs.* That's less than 1 percent of the 310,000 full-time teachers employed by the state at that time. California Teacher Salaries There are many opportunities for teachers to find well-paying, satisfying California teaching jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the state's $60,426 average elementary to secondary teacher salary is one of the highest in the nation. Here is the breakdown of full-time teacher wage estimates in 2007: - Elementary teacher salary: $58,850
- Middle school teacher salary: $60,820
- Secondary teacher salary: $61,970
- Special education teacher salary: $60,306
Shortage Areas for California and Los Angeles Teachers Los Angeles teachers benefit from an opportunity to affect the lives of students in a crowded, underfunded district. While this brings challenges of its own, it also provides new teachers with an opportunity to get teaching experience and improve their teaching. If you have a California teaching credential and are looking for a California teaching job, pursuing teaching positions within the city of Los Angeles is a good way to start. However, if Los Angeles County isn't your ideal location, rest assured that many parts of California continue to face teacher shortages in special education, reading, foreign languages, science and math. Pursuing endorsements in these subjects can help you land the California teacher job you're after. California Teaching Credential Information The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) offers two licenses to become a teacher in California. A preliminary credential is valid for up to five years with a bachelor's degree and successful completion of a number of courses and tests. The professional clear credential is available if you have completed an approved teacher education program or a fifth year master's program, or by becoming a National Board Certified teacher. Elementary school teaching standards require a multiple-subject teaching credential which is dependent on the applicant passing the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA). To teach at the secondary school level, you need a single-subject teaching credential, which requires the completion of additional computer technology and English-teaching courses. Remember that while all California credentials have similar basic requirements, some specialties require additional education or experience, so be sure to research the specific requirements for the teaching degree that interests you by contacting the California Department of Education.
Steps to a California Teaching Credential - Obtain a bachelor's degree from a university or college accredited in the state of California.
- Begin a Teacher Preparation Program approved by the CCTC.
- Get classroom teaching experience. All California teacher preparation programs include at least one semester of student teaching.
- Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST).
- Complete a U.S. Constitution Course or Exam.
- Pass the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET). The CSET consists of five tests. You can take the single subject or multiple-subject exams depending on the certification you are working toward.
- Apply for your California teaching credential. Get started today by browsing our directory of accredited teaching credential schools.
 *Source: San Francisco Chronicle, "State Teachers to Rally Against Cuts, Layoffs" March 13, 2009 |
 
Teaching Throughout the U.S. California Education Facts- California amended its constitution to require a minimum annual funding level for public schools serving kindergarten through associate's degree programs. The amended level grows with student enrollment.
- The California Community Colleges system makes up the largest higher education network in the U.S., serving over 2.6 million students per year.*
Source: www.CA.gov |
