Atlanta Teacher Education Programs
Atlanta offers ample opportunities for educators. Atlanta Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in Georgia, serving about 50,000 students across 103 schools. This great Southern city is also home to a wide variety of colleges, including Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University and many others.
It’s a promising time to be a K12 educator in Georgia. Atlanta Public Schools is currently in the middle of its five-year Strategic Plan, a roadmap full of initiatives and actions designed to improve student achievement and teacher/leader effectiveness—one objective of which is to improve recruitment and retention of school staff.
If want to become a teacher in Atlanta or take the next step in your current education career, we can help. Explore our listings of Atlanta colleges offering education programs, or read on to learn more about teaching in Atlanta.
Teacher Education in Atlanta
What type of program you need depends on where you’re at in your career. If you are new to teaching, explore the Bachelor’s in education or Alternative Teacher Certification programs to earn your initial teacher license. If you are an experienced educator looking to take the next step in your career, check out the Master’s program or certificate programs to add on to your current experience. If you already have a Master’s, an Educational Specialist or Doctorate program could be the final step in your career education.
Joining one of the many Atlanta teacher associations will help you get the most out of your education and career. These groups act as unions, advocacy groups, and networking centers. You might meet your next employer or find a student teaching site! Atlanta-based teacher associations include the Atlanta Music Teachers Association, and, on a state level, the Georgia Association of Educators.
Career Outlook and Average Salary for Teachers in Atlanta
As one of the largest cities in the U.S., it should come as no surprise that Atlanta has one of the top 10 highest employment levels for all areas of K12 education, including special education. Salary differs based on education level, experience and seniority, but generally this major metro offers competitive teaching salaries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the following average salaries for teachers in Atlanta:
- $53,850 for elementary teachers in Atlanta
- $55,440 for middle school teachers in Atlanta
- $54,600 for secondary school teachers in Atlanta
- $53,760 for kindergarten and elementary school special education teachers in Atlanta
Teaching in Georgia as a whole offers several benefits. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Georgia is part of a fellowship program that aims to increase the amount of science, technology, engineering, and math teachers in the state. Students who participate can receive a stipend for educational costs. In addition to STEM areas, which are in short supply across the country, the U.S. Department of Education reports that Georgia is currently experiencing a teacher shortage in the areas of Spanish and Special Education for the 2013-2014 school year.
Ready to take the next step? Begin exploring the Atlanta colleges on this page, and reach out to several for more information. As a general rule, we recommend contacting multiple colleges. This will help you gather more information, explore all your options, and make the best-informed decision possible about the future of your career in education.
