Chicago Teacher Education Programs
The great Midwestern city of Chicago offers many learning and career opportunities for professional educators. Chicago is the third largest city in the U.S., and it boasts an education field to match. Chicago Public Schools is the third largest school district in the country, employing more than 22,000 teachers across 681 schools and serving more than 400,000 students.
If you are looking to earn an education degree, the Windy City provides many opportunities. Some of the largest schools in Chicago sporting teacher education programs include DePaul University, Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago, among many others. Whether you are just starting your career in education or are already a veteran of teaching, EducationDegree.com can help you find the right program at the right school. Start exploring the Chicago school listings below, or read on to learn more about teaching in Chicago.
Teacher Education in Chicago
Finding the right program from the many Chicago universities available starts with identifying what type of program you need. If you have never taught before, check out schools offering bachelor’s programs, or alternative certification programs (for students who previously earned a Bachelor’s in another subject and want to transition to teaching). If you’re an experienced educator looking to advance your career, explore the master’s programs, or, if you already hold a master’s, then doctorate programs.
One of the benefits of studying education in Chicago is the excellent support system in place for education professionals in the form of unions, organizations, and associations. Most of Chicago’s teachers are represented by the Chicago Teachers Union. Other local groups include the Chicago Area Music Teachers Association and the Chicago Metropolitan Association for the Education of Young Children.
Career Outlook and Average Salary for Chicago Teachers
As such a huge metropolis, it should be no surprise that Chicago has one of the highest employment levels in the U.S. for teachers and other education professionals. And like other major cities, Chicago also offers competitive teaching salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage for several popular teaching positions in the city includes:
- $63,690 for elementary school teachers in Chicago
- $65,180 for middle school teachers in Chicago
- $72,530 for secondary school teachers in Chicago
- $72,750 for middle school special education teachers in Chicago
As the student base in Chicago keeps growing, the school district needs more qualified teachers every year. The Illinois State Board of Education reports two designated teacher shortage areas for the 2013-2014 school year: Special Education (specifically Learning Behavior Specialists) and Bilingual Education. There are quite a few benefits to studying a designated teaching shortage field, including scholarships and financial aid. If you have student loans, you may qualify for payment deferral options and student loan reduction options.
If you ready to jumpstart your career in education in Chicago, begin exploring programs on this page, then reach out to several for more information. We recommend contacting multiple schools to gather more information, helping you to make the best informed decision possible about the future of your education.
