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From the Mason-Dixon Line to Lake Erie, Pennsylvania is a fantastically beautiful and diverse state. Large areas of the state are rural and agricultural, but Pennsylvania is also a major manufacturing hub and home to fifty Fortune 500 companies. Pennsylvania has played a critical role throughout the history of the United States since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1776. Philadelphia teachers are especially well positioned to draw on this rich history, but it is only one of the myriad reasons to become a teacher in Pennsylvania.
Why Teach in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania teachers enjoy the many benefits of a strong and continuously improving education industry. The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education gave Pennsylvania an 86 percent score (or B) in its 2006 state comparison report on college preparedness. Pennsylvania also led the nation in math and science course-taking. 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 and writing—in 2007. Pennsylvania has over 500 school districts, 3,287 schools and a student-teacher ratio of just over 15:1. With per-pupil spending of $10,738 per year and proximity to many top-tier universities, teaching in PA provides a rewarding opportunity to help children succeed. Pennsylvania Teacher Salaries Pennsylvania teacher salaries are on par with the national average for teachers and well above the average per capita income for Pennsylvania. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pennsylvania teachers earned an average annual salary of over $50,000 in 2007. The following breakdown illustrates the range of salaries you can earn if you become a teacher in Pennsylvania: - Elementary teacher salary: $50,410
- Middle school teacher salary: $52,660
- Secondary teacher salary: $51,840
- Special education teacher salary: $54,500
Demand for PA Teachers Pennsylvania has high standards for teachers and it sometimes takes a bit of work to enter the profession. You can improve your chances of landing a great job if you specialize in one of the subjects for which there is a statewide shortage of qualified teachers. Current shortages include the following subjects: There are also teacher shortages in a number of Pennsylvania school districts. Due to a recent spike in retirements and resignations, Philadelphia teachers are particularly in demand. In 2008, the Philadelphia School District started the school year with 166 teaching jobs unfilled, more than double the previous year. Most of these vacancies were in hard-to-fill areas, such as science, math, middle school and bilingual education. If you teach one of these subject areas, becoming a Philadelphia teacher may be a good way to start teaching in Pennsylvania.
PA Teacher Certification Pennsylvania grants instructional teaching certificates specific to the subjects you are qualified to teach. To become a certified teacher in Pennsylvania, you must successfully complete all three of the following requirements: - A state-approved teacher education program including a student teaching or intern experience
- Praxis I and Praxis II assessment tests and/or American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency tests (for foreign language teachers only)
- Application materials documenting that all certificate requirements have been met
If you have completed a state approved teacher certification program in another state, you must submit an application packet to have your credentials reviewed by the Pennsylvania Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality. You may be eligible for a temporary teaching permit while completing any minor deficiencies in your application packet. For more information about Pennsylvania teacher certification, visit Teaching in PA, a website of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Teaching Is Key in the Keystone State If you're looking for a rich and satisfying teaching career, you can't do better than Pennsylvania. With a state government committed to supporting educators and a wide diversity of lifestyle options, you're sure to find a perfect fit as a Pennsylvania teacher. Get started today by finding a PA teacher program in our comprehensive list of accredited teacher education schools. |
