3 answers
hailey
Student
Yorba Linda, California
2
Questions
Asked
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what is the average salary for an elementary school teacher? is it easy to find a job as a teacher or do you have to have connections in certain districts?
im currently a junior in high school in Orange County ca. im hoping to major in elementary education and become a teacher in southern ca.
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3 answers
Amy C.
Director of Strategic Communications
35
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
Amy’s Answer
All public school teacher salaries are available online! You can Google the school district "pay scale" and it will show you how much teachers make based on their years of experience and what degree they have. Teachers who have masters' degrees and additional credits will make more. Also look to see how strong a district's retirement plan is because that matters too!
Jerry Tingstad
Professor/middle school teacher/48 years
95
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
First: It's a good time to ask this question. You have another year to think about this. And hopefully talk to your high school counselor.
My reading tells me that grade school teachers are in high demand. And you are located in a very good part of the country re salary and working conditions.
I would suggest that you visit some of the grade schools in your area. Perhaps even the one you attended. Walk in and talk to whomever is located at the entrance. With luck, after classes are over you will be able to talk to one or more teachers. (I doubt that there are many people your age walk into their school wanting to talk to teachers about their work. In other words, this hopefully will be a positive.)
Be prepared to ask questions related to their work. Positives and negatives. Students. Perhaps remember back to when you were in grade school and what you really liked and ... ah... had problems with.
I'm sure you will get at least one and hopefully more than one who is positively willing to engage with you. If this is the case, the next step is to ask if you can visit a class and observe,
You obviously should prepare yourself for your visit(s). Questions. Proper manners. Dress. In my opinion, the more positive your approach, the more positive will be your response. As in you are very serious about this.
Obviously, in my opinion, it is difficult to make a decision about a profession without obervation and interaction. And discussion with your counselor in this instance.
Now: get off and running.
My reading tells me that grade school teachers are in high demand. And you are located in a very good part of the country re salary and working conditions.
I would suggest that you visit some of the grade schools in your area. Perhaps even the one you attended. Walk in and talk to whomever is located at the entrance. With luck, after classes are over you will be able to talk to one or more teachers. (I doubt that there are many people your age walk into their school wanting to talk to teachers about their work. In other words, this hopefully will be a positive.)
Be prepared to ask questions related to their work. Positives and negatives. Students. Perhaps remember back to when you were in grade school and what you really liked and ... ah... had problems with.
I'm sure you will get at least one and hopefully more than one who is positively willing to engage with you. If this is the case, the next step is to ask if you can visit a class and observe,
You obviously should prepare yourself for your visit(s). Questions. Proper manners. Dress. In my opinion, the more positive your approach, the more positive will be your response. As in you are very serious about this.
Obviously, in my opinion, it is difficult to make a decision about a profession without obervation and interaction. And discussion with your counselor in this instance.
Now: get off and running.
Maura FitzGerald
Instructional Designer
21
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Maura’s Answer
Hi there! Salaries vary pretty widely across the U.S. based on the state, city, type of school etc. that you work within. If you have a specific district or city you would be interested in working within, you can definitely look up the "salary schedule" to see what teachers start at salary-wise and how that changes over time. As far as is it hard to find a job, that again depends on where you are interested in working. Sometimes, pursuing studies for Special Education or Literacy can help make it a bit easier as those roles tend to be in higher demand.