Should I Become a Teacher in Georgia?
Teachers instruct students through the use and adaptation of various methods, including discussions, lectures, and demonstrations. These professionals can choose to teach in elementary, middle, or high schools. Teaching can be a tiring and demanding profession, but many teachers find it rewarding when their students succeed. Teachers often get the summer months off, since their work schedules follow the school calendar.
How to Become a Teacher in Georgia
| Degree Level | Bachelor's degree is required; some teachers have a master's degree |
| Degree Field | Early childhood education; secondary education; subject areas such as English/language arts, mathematics, or biology |
| Certification | Must take a content assessment exam to acquire certification |
| Experience | Fieldwork, student teaching internship |
| Key Skills | Instructing, speaking, listening, and social perceptiveness |
| Salary (2019) | $56,360 (Median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Georgia), $58,190 (Median annual wage for middle school teachers in Georgia) |
Sources: Georgia Professional Standards Commission, Reinhardt University, O*Net Online, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Steps to Becoming a Teacher in Georgia
There are three critical steps that you need to take in order to become a teacher in Georgia. The descriptions below will teach you what you need to know about how to become a teacher in GA.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree in Education or a Specific Subject Area
A bachelor's degree is the minimum level of education required to be eligible for teacher certification in Georgia. To enter a teaching program, students first need to take the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators basic skills exam or an equivalent exam, such as the ACT or SAT. Appropriate majors vary depending on the age of the students to be taught. For those who plan to teach in an elementary school, the major is usually early childhood education. Future middle school teachers can find middle grades education programs. Individuals who want to teach secondary school students usually major in the specific subject area that they are planning to teach, such as English, mathematics, or social studies. Students are required to complete a student teaching internship for certification. In the final year of a degree program, students will need to take the GACE content assessment exams, which also are required for certification.
Success Tips
- Volunteer in a capacity that involves working with children. One volunteering possibility for individuals who plan to teach is tutoring. Future teachers can volunteer to work with children who are in the same age group as those they plan on teaching and/or in the subject they intend to teach.
- Seek work as a substitute teacher while attending college. Working as a substitute teacher when one's schedule permits can provide the opportunity to gain experience in the classroom and fine-tune the skills needed to be successful as a teacher, such as communicating effectively and managing a classroom. Additionally, being a substitute can allow future educators to learn from experienced professionals.
What to Look for in a Program
When applying to bachelor's degree programs, you should look for schools that offer strong education programs. This will allow you to interact with professors and peers who are also interested in education. Additionally, try to find a college that offers internship opportunities where you could get experience teaching in a classroom. This is a major part of most education programs.
Step 2: Get Georgia State Certification
Once you earn a bachelor's degree, you'll need to know how to become a certified teacher in GA. After finishing an approved teacher education program and taking assessment exams, graduates should be eligible to receive teacher certification in Georgia. To get certified, an individual needs to submit an application to be approved by the PSC. Prospective teachers who've achieved all of the requirements for certification will be eligible for a Clear Renewable Certificate, while those who may still need to meet some requirements will be issued a Conditional Certificate. There are three types of certificates classified by function: service, teaching, and leadership. Additionally, teaching certificates are classified according to grade level as well as the educational attainment of the individual teacher. For example, a teacher with a bachelor's degree would receive a level 4 certificate, while one with a master's degree would receive a level 5 certificate.
Alternative Paths to Education
If you already have a bachelor's degree that is not in education, you may be wondering how to become a teacher in Georgia without an education degree. Before you are able to become a certified teacher, you'll need to complete an educator preparation course that is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). These programs offer short courses in education which can show you how to teach in Georgia but don't require as much time to complete as a bachelor's degree. This will get you on your way to becoming a teacher in Georgia without an education degree.
Step 3: Continue Your Education with a Master's Degree
Although only a bachelor's degree is required to be eligible for certification as a teacher in Georgia, some teachers go on to earn a master's degree. Many universities in Georgia offer graduate degree programs for certified teachers who wish to continue their education. One common graduate degree program for professional educators is the Master of Education (M.Ed.). The M.Ed., which does not lead to certification, is designed for certified teachers who are interested in obtaining a higher-level certificate or adding additional certification subject areas. Other master's degree programs, such as educational administration or leadership, may prepare an experienced teacher for advancement to principal or other administrative roles.
Hopeful teachers in Georgia should earn a bachelor's degree, get experience as a student teacher, become certified, and consider earning a master's degree in education.
Salary and Career Outlook for Teachers in Georgia
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports data on the salaries and job outlook projections for various teaching positions in the state of Georgia. The salary figures are separated by grade level, in case you're wondering how to become a high school teacher in Georgia, versus an elementary or middle school teacher. According to their November 2019 dataset, these data for elementary, middle, and high school teachers in Georgia are:
| Position | Median Salary | Job Outlook |
| Elementary School Teachers | $56,360 | 1.6% growth |
| Middle School Teachers | $58,190 | 2,1% growth |
| Secondary School (High School) Teachers | $58,050 | 1.2% growth |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need a master's degree to be a teacher in Georgia? No, you do not need a master's degree to teach in Georgia. Most teachers are required to have a bachelor's degree. However, a master's degree can help you become more competitive for job opportunities and gain leadership roles or career promotions more quickly.
- Do I have to get a bachelor's degree in education to teach in Georgia? No, you do not need a bachelor's in education to teach. Georgia offers educator prep courses that can allow you to become a certified teacher even if you didn't study education in college.
- How much money will I make as a teacher in Georgia? Your salary will depend on the age group that you teach. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2019 data, Georgia elementary school teachers made a median salary of $56,360; middle school teachers made $58,190; and high school teachers made $58,050.
