Teaching in Virginia

Helping you weigh the pros and cons of Virginia Teaching

All Education Articles & Resources | Find Education Schools

Ranked as the sixth smartest state in the nation by Morgan Quitno Press's Education State Rankings 2006 – 2007, Virginia has proven that it is for teachers as well as lovers. With beaches, mountains, a wealth of historical sites and relatively mild weather throughout the year, this state has plenty of great places in which to live and work as a teacher. If you are interested in Virginia teaching, you have many opportunities ahead of you. Read on to learn how to get started with your Virginia teacher certification.

Why Become a Teacher in Virginia?

Virginia teaching is a rewarding occupation. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Virginia's student-teacher ratio is under 12:1, which is one of the best in the nation. In 2007, students exceeded the national average in all areas of standardized testing in the 4th and 8th grade levels, as reported by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. In terms of college preparedness, Virginia was given a score of 91 percent, or A-, from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.

With high expectations for its students and a steadfast implementation of the No Child Left Behind legislation, the state's Department of Education is continuously looking to hire and retain high-quality Virginia teachers. To meet this objective, the state has initiated teacher-mentoring programs that provide support for those looking to become a teacher in Virginia. Whether you are switching careers or just finishing high school, potential Virginia teachers receive many other incentives to enter the field of education, including tuition assistance programs and an abundance of job opportunities in critical shortage areas.

Does Teaching in Virginia Pay the Bills?

Virginia teachers earned an average salary of $54,830 in 2007, which was higher than the national average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For middle and secondary school teachers, Virginia's average annual salaries rank significantly higher than the national averages. The following breakdown illustrates the range of average salaries you can earn teaching in Virginia:

Elementary teacher salary: $54,190
Middle school teacher salary: $53,560
Secondary teacher salary: $56,740
Special education teacher salary: $56,433

In-Demand Jobs for Virginia Teachers

To secure your chances of landing a good job in your desired location, you may want to consider one of the following subjects for which Virginia teachers are in high demand:

When you decide to become a teacher in Virginia, you will have a wealth of resources available to help you find a fulfilling job. The Virginia Department of Education is focused on attracting and retaining high-quality teachers, and it has many initiatives in place in order to reach that goal. The TeachVirginia Statewide Job Bank is a free recruitment service that lists current Virginia teaching job opportunities and helps maintain an open line of communication between potential Virginia teachers and school division recruiters.

Virginia Teacher Certification

To get started with your Virginia teaching certification, you must first decide which grade level you would like to teach. Virginia teaching is organized into the following grade level groups:

Early/Primary education (Prekindergarten – grade 3)
Elementary education (Prekindergarten – grade 6)
Middle education (grades 6 – 8)
Secondary education (grades 6 – 12)

The most common way of fulfilling the requirements for Virginia teacher certification is to enroll in a state-approved teacher preparation program. If you are interested in teaching any of the secondary grade levels or obtaining endorsement in a specific subject for elementary and middle grades, you must also satisfy the education requirements of your chosen content area.

In order to become a teacher in Virginia, you must also satisfy the state's testing requirements. The PRAXIS II, or specialty area test, is required if you are seeking endorsement in a specific content area. Early/primary, elementary and special education teachers must pass the Virginia Reading Assessment as well. For more information, contact the Virginia Department of Education.