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Teaching in the Prairie State, around its plentiful waterways, over its well-traveled highways and through its surprising weather variations, is rewarding in both professional and personal ways. Peoria and Chicago teachers alike share in the benefits of a vast and diverse state economy, a growing population and strong college and university systems. Read on to learn about Illinois teacher certification, get tips for success and discover the outlook for teachers in the state.
Perks of Becoming an Illinois Teacher It's a unique and exciting time to become a teacher in Illinois, given the numerous government initiatives and fellowships that focus on education improvements. The state's successful school system, which include over 4,000 public schools and a small but growing number of charter schools, boasts the third highest college placement exam score in the nation.* Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third largest public school system in the U.S.—which generates a sizable need for qualified teachers. This makes Chicago, as well as the whole of the state, a promising setting for aspiring teachers. Illinois Teacher Salaries Along with the extensive teaching opportunities fueled by education reform, Chicago offers competitive teaching salaries in a vibrant, metropolitan environment. According to Catalyst Chicago, an independent teaching publication, the average Chicago teacher salary in the district in 2006 was $63,509. This makes Chicago not only an appealing city with its many urban attractions, but also a great setting for a well-paying and rewarding teaching career. But Illinois teacher salaries prove substantial overall as well. In 2007, The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an average Illinois teacher salary of $56,680—over $10,000 higher than the national average. So, teaching in many parts of Illinois will prove rewarding both monetarily and personally.
Finding Your Niche Within Illinois Public Schools Unlike some other areas in the U.S., Illinois boasts a plentiful teacher supply for its public school system. Because of this, new Illinois teachers may benefit from applying at lower-demand schools, such as those in outlying or rural areas. If you become a teacher in Illinois, consider teaching a subject area that is in shortage and your chances of landing a job as a new teacher raise considerably. The U.S. Department of Education reports that in 2008, math, reading, science and bilingual and special education teachers were in demand throughout Illinois. And Chicago teachers certified to teach standard elementary classes were a surprising addition to that list. For the inspiring story of a young secondary history teacher who was able to secure a much sought-after teaching position outside Chicago, see our teacher job market interview. Illinois Teacher Certification Illinois has a three-tiered professional certification system which includes initial, standard and master teaching certificates: - Initial certification is for teachers with less than four years of teaching.
- Standard certification is for teachers who have completed their first four years of teaching and want to renew for an additional five years.
- Master certification is for teachers who have met the rigorous standards of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). They are valid for 10 years.
In order to obtain a first professional certificate, prospective Illinois teachers must complete an approved education program, which usually means a bachelor's degree in education from an accredited university that is approved by the State Superintendent of Education and the State Board of Education. A basic skills test, as well as subject matter tests for endorsements and an Assessment of Professional Teaching test (that focuses on teaching skills with the intended grade level) are also required. For more information about Illinois teacher certification requirements, contact the Illinois State Board of Education.
Chicago Teaching Opportunities Renaissance 2010 Renaissance 2010 is an initiative that focuses on improving education in Chicago's schools by 2010. It has been one of the catalysts for education transformation throughout Chicago's 600 public schools. Its vision to promote student learning has created programs like Chicago Teaching Fellows and the Illinois New Teacher Collaborative (INTC). Chicago Teaching Fellows Chicago Public Schools (CPS) recently marked the largest one-year jump in scores on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test since 1995. The city is looking to continue this trend through exciting programs such as the Chicago Teaching Fellows, a competitive alternate Illinois teacher certification program that provides a pathway for new teachers to bring their knowledge, experience and leadership to CPS classrooms and to obtain their teaching credentials while earning a teacher's salary. If you specialize in math, science or special education, this fellowship could be your ticket to a competitive Chicago teacher's position. Illinois New Teacher Collaborative (INTC) If you become a teacher in Illinois, joining a professional development organization like the Illinois New Teacher Collaborative (INTC) can be very helpful to your career. Members of INTC can find mentors, contribute resources and join online communities which best fit their interests.  *Source: "Measuring Up," National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, 2006 |
Teaching Throughout the U.S. Illinois Public School Facts- Illinois 8th grade public school students rank consistently at or above the national average in all standardized test subjects, including math, reading, science and writing.
- Illinois boasts a well-diversified student body, with about 20 percent each of black and Hispanic student body populations.
- Chicago School District #299 is the third largest school district in the nation, serving over 435,000 students in more than 600 schools.
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