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From Long Island to Lake Ontario, New York State offers a wide range of environments for potential teachers. New York boasts one of the largest and most diverse economies in the United States, representing industries from finance and high-tech to manufacturing and agriculture. Teachers in New York can benefit from the slower pace of rural schooling, the exhilaration of city life, or almost anything in between.
Why Teach in New York? The education industry in New York is known for its high standards and positive student results. The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education gave New York a 91 percent score (or A -) in its 2006 state comparison report on college preparedness. In addition, the National Center for Education Statistics reports that students scored at or above the national average for all mandated 4th and 8th grade standardized tests—including math, reading, science and writing—in 2007. With over 730 local school districts—including the largest district in the nation, NYC teaching district—a diversified student body, student-teacher ratio of under 13:1, range of traditional public schools and charter schools, and proximity to top-tier universities, teaching in New York can be a truly rewarding experience for any teacher. New York Teacher Salaries New York offers its teachers the highest salaries in the nation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2007 New York teachers earned an average salary of over $63,000 a year. The following breakdown may help to illustrate the range of salaries you can earn teaching in New York: - Elementary teacher salary: $62,490
- Middle school teacher salary: $64,140
- Secondary teacher salary: $64,020
- Special education teacher salary: $63,190
New York Teaching: Jobs in Demand The employment outlook for teaching in New York depends greatly on one's experience and specialty. While it can be difficult to land a New York teaching job, if you are experienced or endorsed in a subject that is currently understaffed, your chances of securing a well-paying job, or even participating in incentive programs, is quite good. The following high-demand subject areas are great specialties to pursue if you are interested in teaching in New York: The highly competitive job market in New York depends on location as well. Well populated urban areas and high paying suburbs are the hardest places to become a teacher in New York. For example, the New York City Department of Education reported that only 25 percent of applicants successfully secured teaching jobs in New York City during the 2008 recruiting season. However, organizations and initiatives, such as the NYC Student Teaching Initiative, offer aid to teachers seeking difficult employment in saturated teacher markets. Contact the New York State Education Department for more information.
New York Teacher Certification Each public school teacher and leadership staff member must complete specific teacher certification requirements to become a teacher in New York. If you are interested in becoming a classroom teacher, you will have to choose a subject and grade level before commencing your certification process. Grade levels include childhood education (birth through grade 6), middle childhood education (grades 5 through 9) and adolescent (grades 7 through 12). Secondary teachers and some childhood and middle childhood teachers will also need to specialize in a specific subject matter, such as English, science, physical education or special education to get their New York teaching certificate. Once you have chosen your subject area and grade level, you can determine whether you need to obtain an initial New York teaching certificate or professional teaching certificate. Initial certificates are entry-level certificates that are valid for five years. In many specialties, you can first earn this certification, then move on to a professional certificate after your initial teaching years. Other specialty areas require you to obtain a professional certificate from the start. Professional certificates are continuously valid in the state as long as certain professional development credits are earned every five years. New York teacher certification requirements always include satisfactory completion of a New York State approved teacher preparation program (or specific coursework laid out by the Department of Education), a student teaching component, and teaching exams. For example, if you want to get an initial generalist middle childhood teaching certificate, you will need to complete your teacher preparation program, a teaching skills test, an arts and sciences test, and a multi-subject content specialty test in order to become certified. For more information on New York teacher certification, see the New York State Education Department's teacher certification page. I Love (Teaching in) New York There are many reasons to pursue a career teaching in New York. Whether you want to experience life in the big city or crave the experience of teaching in successful schools and earning a high salary, you can find your place as a New York teacher. Get started today by finding a New York teaching program on our comprehensive list of accredited teacher education schools.  |
 
Teaching Throughout the U.S. Secrets of NYC Teaching- The Office of Teacher Recruitment and Quality (TRQ), a section of the New York City Department of Education, offers a program called TRQ Select. In 2009, 250 shortage area teachers were chosen to receive special in-person and online help with their job search, as well as help with certification and personal financing opportunities.
- NYC's loan forgiveness program is alive and active for shortage area teachers. See our financial aid article for more information.
- Financial support, scholarships, special programs and selective field work opportunities are available to teaching students in New York City through the NYC Partnership for Teacher Excellence, a privately funded initiative aimed at developing and retaining high-quality NYC teachers.
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