Teaching is a rewarding profession that enables you to shape young minds and inspire a love of learning in future generations. You equip them with knowledge and skills that they will carry throughout their lives.
There are several requirements to becoming a teacher in the U.S. These requirements are set to ensure you have the skills and competency to provide a productive and safe learning environment to students.
The criteria for becoming a teacher differ from state to state.
This article will cover all the relevant information for aspiring teachers in North Carolina. We’ll discuss everything from meeting the eligibility criteria to obtaining your teaching license.
Overview of the Teaching Situation in North Carolina
A recent survey of over 120,000 educators in the state indicated that 90% of educators are happy with the supportive work environment in their schools. This means that teachers in North Carolina find their schools good places for themselves and their students.
Despite this positive outlook, there’s a significant teacher shortage. In the 2022-23 school year, nearly one in every 18 classrooms lacked a licensed teacher. This shortage has been a major issue and has even led to discussions about eliminating some teaching licensure requirements in North Carolina as a way to address the immediate need for qualified educators.
For aspiring teachers, this situation presents a unique opportunity. With less competition for open positions compared to other states and high job satisfaction reported by current educators, North Carolina could be an attractive place to launch your teaching career.
North Carolina offers a supportive work environment through programs that provide mentoring for new teachers and financial incentives for National Board Certification, which can lead to higher salaries.
It’s a beautiful state with diverse landscapes like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and The Outer Banks’ sandy beaches, offering a great quality of life outside of work.
Steps to Becoming a Teacher in North Carolina
North Carolina’s teacher shortage presents an easier job market. However, there’s still a clear pathway you’ll need to follow to become a licensed teacher.
Each step builds upon the previous one. Therefore, you must complete the requirements in every step before moving on to the next stage.
Let’s explore all the steps involved:
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
In North Carolina, teachers must possess at least a bachelor’s degree. The degree does not have to be specifically in education but should be closely related to the subject you intend to teach, and you must have a 2.7+ GPA. For instance, if you want to teach music, a degree in music or a related field is essential.
Ensure that your college or university has regional accreditation. Regional accreditation means the program meets high standards of educator preparation, and North Carolina only accepts degrees from institutions with this type of accreditation.
For instance, the Teachers of Tomorrow program is state-accredited in North Carolina and is nationally accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
2. Complete an Educator Preparation Program
In North Carolina, aspiring teachers must complete an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) that focuses on the specific subject area or grade level they want to teach. These programs provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel as an educator.
Educator preparation programs provide coursework in pedagogy, child development, and the specific subject matter.
EPPs also provide hands-on experience through practicum placements in real classrooms. This allows you to practice and develop your teaching skills under the guidance of experienced educators. It will also enable you to create a teaching portfolio that shows your lesson plans, student work samples, and reflections on your teaching practice.
There are different pathways to complete an EPP, depending on your current academic background. Many universities offer bachelor’s degrees that integrate the EPP coursework, allowing you to earn your degree and teaching license simultaneously.
If you’re already working on a bachelor’s degree or haven’t yet started, or if you already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field, consider a licensure-only program designed for aspiring teachers who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
These programs take from less than one year to two years to complete and provide the necessary coursework and practical experience to qualify for a teaching license.
3. Consider Getting a Master’s Degree
North Carolina doesn’t require you to have a master’s degree to teach. However, obtaining one can enhance your career prospects significantly. Here are some examples of benefits:
- Increased leadership opportunities: A master’s degree can qualify you for leadership positions in the school, such as assistant principal or in the school district administration team.
- Higher salary potential: Some school districts in North Carolina offer salary increments for teachers with master’s degrees.
- College-level teaching: If you aspire to teach at a community college or university in the future, a master’s degree is required.
Popular Master’s degrees for prospective teachers in North Carolina include the following:
- Teaching: Focuses on advanced teaching methods and educational theories, helping you become a more effective and knowledgeable educator.
- Education: A broad degree that covers administration, curriculum development, and policy, preparing you for various roles within the education system.
- Mathematics Education: Designed for those who want to specialize in teaching mathematics. This degree deepens your understanding of mathematical concepts and effective teaching strategies.
- Special Education: This degree equips you with the skills to support and teach students with diverse learning needs.
- English Education: Focuses on enhancing your ability to teach English language and literature.
- Early Childhood Education: Prepares you to effectively teach young children. This degree focuses on developmental psychology, early learning, and age-appropriate teaching techniques.
4. Pass the Teacher Exams
To become a licensed teacher in North Carolina, you’ll need to pass a series of exams. The specific exams you take will depend on your desired grade level and subject area.
Some areas may require more exams than others. The following are teacher exams in North Carolina:
- The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam: Assesses your reading, writing, and mathematics skills. It’s a general requirement for all teacher candidates in North Carolina.
- Foundations of Reading exam: This exam is required for teachers seeking licensure in elementary education or special education. It assesses your knowledge of reading development and instruction.
- General Curriculum exam: Required for teachers seeking licensure in elementary education or special education (grades K-6) in specific content areas, such as mathematics, science, or social studies. It assesses your knowledge of the specific subject matter and how to teach it effectively.
- Praxis Subject Assessment exam: This series of exams covers a wide range of subjects across various grade levels (middle and high school). You’ll need to take the specific Praxis Subject Assessment exam that aligns with your desired teaching area.
5. Apply for a Teaching License
Once you have met the necessary requirements, you will need to submit your teaching license application to the state of North Carolina. Before doing so, we recommend confirming with your educator preparation program that you have fulfilled all requirements and are eligible to apply.
You will need to pay an application fee and submit several forms and documents. Include these materials and documents in your application:
- Completed application form: Ensure all sections are filled out accurately.
- Official transcripts: Provide transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
- Official test scores: Submit scores from required exams, such as the Praxis series.
- Verification of eligibility from your educator preparation program: Obtain a formal verification from your program confirming that you have completed all necessary training and coursework.
After you have provided all the requirements above, submit your application for a teaching license to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).
6. Start Applying for Teaching Jobs in North Carolina
Once you’ve obtained your teaching license, you can begin applying for teaching jobs in North Carolina. North Carolina does not explicitly require a full criminal history background check, including fingerprinting, which streamlines the hiring process.
Follow these tips to help you find your first teaching job:
- Craft a detailed CV highlighting your education, teaching credentials, relevant experience, and any special skills or certifications.
- Seek opportunities to build your teaching experience, such as substitute teaching, tutoring, or working as a teaching assistant.
- Volunteer in schools or educational programs to gain more experience and help you make connections within the education community.
- Look for job openings on educational job boards, school district websites, and professional networks like LinkedIn. Glassdoor, and the North Carolina’s Department of Public Instruction.
- Attend job fairs, professional development workshops, and education conferences to meet potential employers and learn about job openings.
Career Outlook for Teachers in North Carolina
North Carolina is a great place to become a teacher due to the ongoing teacher shortage, which means there are ample job opportunities for new educators. The state offers competitive salaries that increase with experience and additional certifications.
New teachers in North Carolina can expect to earn around $39,000 per year. Teachers with ten years of experience can expect to earn approximately $48,430 per year.
Teachers in North Carolina who obtain National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Certification can earn significantly more than those without it.
According to the NCDPI, teachers with NBPTS Certification receive a higher salary. For example, a teacher with ten years of experience and NBPTS Certification may earn around $53,430 per year, compared to $48,430 per year for those without the certification.
With its growing need for teachers and competitive salaries with potential for advancement, North Carolina is the ideal destination for aspiring educators.
Become a Teacher in North Carolina
Becoming an educator in North Carolina offers you a rewarding career shaping young minds and a competitive salary that grows with experience and additional certifications.
The state’s ongoing teacher shortage means ample job opportunities and the chance to make a significant impact in the community. With high job satisfaction reported by current educators, North Carolina is an excellent place to start or advance your teaching career.
To be licensed as a teacher in North Carolina, you need:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a subject area you want to teach
- To complete an Educator Preparation Program (EPP)
- To pass the required teacher exams depending on your desired grade level and subject area.
- Apply for a teaching license once you meet all the requirements.
The Teachers of Tomorrow program in North Carolina provides support and resources to help you meet the requirements and succeed in your teaching journey. Explore this program to take the first step toward a fulfilling and impactful career in education.
