Teaching in Seattle
Working in education can be a great way to have a positive impact on society, influence the minds that can create the future of Seattle, and establish a career with long-term potential. If you decide to become a teacher in Seattle, you may work for Seattle Public Schools. This is the largest school district in all of Washington. Throughout Seattle, these schools serve over 47,000 students of the city’s 753,675 residents. The district operates 91 schools and employs more than 2,500 teachers.
If you are ready to learn more about entering the field of teaching, Use our directory of education programs to request more information. Good luck on your journey!
Education is a priority in Seattle, so this may be an excellent place to begin your career as a teacher. Governor Jay Inslee recently rolled out a plan to ensure that Seattle schools would have the resources they need to run efficiently. This city has many large colleges and universities that can help you become a teacher. Some of Seattle’s most prominent institutions include Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, and University of Washington. Learn more about teacher education programs in Seattle to discover if this is the right career path for you!
How to Become a Teacher in Seattle
If you know you want to become a teacher in this region, it’s important to choose the right teacher certification program for your current experience level and education. Working teachers have several options. They may add to their current license with a certification program or explore a whole new area of education with a Master’s degree in education. If you have a Bachelor’s degree in a field other than education, consider an alternative certification program in Seattle. You may be interested in earning a Bachelor’s degree in education if you have little or no prior education.
As a teaching student or a new teacher, you may find it helpful to join associations meant for Washington and Seattle teachers. The Seattle Education Association is a major resource for area teachers, and it’s part of the larger Washington Education Association. Other organizations may focus on specific subjects or teaching levels. The Washington Science Teachers Association provides support to those who teach in science specialties. Those who teach foreign language may pursue membership in the Washington Association for Language Teaching. The Seattle Music Teachers Association is a fairly large group in this area.
Career Outlook and Salary Information for Seattle
The job outlook for teaching professionals in Seattle is fairly positive, particularly because of the large concentration of young families in the Seattle metropolitan area. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are over 1,800 kindergarten teachers and 12,000 elementary school teachers in Seattle. Per Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates, Seattle is home to nearly 5,000 middle school teachers and over 5,800 high school teachers.
The salaries earned by Seattle teachers are often higher than the national average, which may be due to a higher-than-average cost of living in Seattle. The average salary for a kindergarten teacher in this area is $54,460 per year (BLS, 2013). Elementary school teachers earn an average of $60,670 annually (BLS, 2013). Middle school teachers report an average salary of $61,880 per year, while high school teachers make an average of $62,810 per year (BLS, 2013).
Working in the field of education can lead to extensive personal and professional satisfaction. If you’re ready to take the first step to becoming a teacher in Seattle, use our school listings to find an education program near you!
