Texas Teacher Information

When it comes to landscape, history and culture, Texas delivers. With its large, multicultural cities and wide rural regions, it stands as a major agricultural and industrial state—and boasts one other cherished resource: its educators. From Amarillo to Houston, teachers continue to inspire students to exceed high standards and achieve excellence.

Why Become a Teacher in Texas?

Texas demonstrates a serious commitment to its students and teachers, providing pathways that promote college preparedness and reward high academic performance.

The state encourages students to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams through a multi-part incentive program. To start, Texas pays $30 of the $86 AP exam fee for students and reimburses teachers up to $450 for completing a 30-hour AP training program. Plus, schools can receive up to $100 for each student who scores a 3 (out of a possible 5) or higher on an AP exam.

These incentives are paying off for Texas teachers and students. The Texas Education Agency reports that for the 2007-2008 school year, 27.5 percent of Texas high school students took at least one AP test, exceeding the national average. Of the 38,440 students who took Texas's top AP test, English Language, 45 percent earned a score of 3 or higher.

Texas Teacher Salaries

According to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Texas teachers receive average annual salaries of $38,857. The TASB indicates that the average starting salary for new Texas teachers is $34,252. In districts with more than 10,000 students, however, Texas teachers can start their careers earning $42,247 per year.

Houston teachers work in the state's largest school district, with a student body of 210,292 and a student-teacher ratio of 17.4:1 (compared to the state average of 14.8:1). For the 2008-2009 school year, the Houston Independent School District established a starting pay rate of $44,027 for Houston teachers. And Salary.com indicates that Houston teachers earn an average yearly salary of approximately $53,262.

The following comparison shows the average incomes for public school teachers in other Texas cities, according to Salary.com:

Teaching in Texas: Jobs in Demand

A recent survey from the TASB reports that 71 percent of the state's school districts pay a stipend to teachers in at least one critical shortage area. Texas has teacher shortages in multiple areas, including math, science, special education, foreign languages, technology applications and bilingual education.

To help increase the number of qualified teachers in critical shortage areas, the state offers financial assistance programs that encourage candidates to pursue jobs teaching in Texas. These include the following:

• Conditional grants available through Teach for Texas, which help future teachers with expenses if they agree to become a teacher in Texas public schools for a period of time.
• "Grow-your-own programs" available through some Texas school districts. In these programs, high school students can receive financial assistance for agreeing to return to their school district as teachers after they graduate from college.

Texas Teacher Certification

You must meet the following requirements to obtain Texas teacher certification:

• Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited program.
• Complete teacher training as part of your college degree or through a separate, state-approved program.
• Pass the Texas teacher certification exams for the grade level and subject area that you want to teach.

In addition, before you can become a teacher in Texas classrooms, you will first need to decide the grade level and subject that you want to teach. You can attain Texas teacher certification in early childhood through grade 4; grades 4 through 8; grades 8 through 12; and early childhood through grade 12.

After you complete the state's requirements, you will qualify for the Standard Certificate issued by Texas's State Board of Education (SBEC). This certificate is valid for five years. To renew it, you must meet several criteria, such as completing 150 hours of continuing professional education.

Candidates who hold a bachelor's degree or higher but are not yet eligible for a Standard Certificate can apply for a Temporary Teacher Certificate (TTC). This certificate allows teachers to work in the school system for a period of two years while they complete the requirements for a Standard Certificate.

Make a Difference Teaching in Texas

Build your career as a Texas teacher, and explore the diverse cultural landscapes and job opportunities that draw so many professionals to Texas's High Plains, Blackland Prairies and coastal cities. Get started today by finding a Texas teacher education program on our comprehensive list of accredited education schools.