Middle school teachers dedicate themselves to shaping the next generation– experiencing
the joy of inspiring young minds, fostering curiosity, and making a lasting impact on students’ lives.
If you’re considering this fulfilling career path, Pennsylvania offers the chance to make a decent living and live in a vibrant state with a rich history and diverse communities.
Just like any career choice, understanding the salary landscape is crucial. Knowing what to expect financially empowers you to make informed decisions.
The average annual salary of a middle school teacher in Pennsylvania is $71,140.
In this article, we’ll dig deeper into the salaries of middle school teachers in Pennsylvania. We’ll explore the numbers and the factors that influence them.
Additionally, we’ll provide insights into the requirements and process of becoming a certified middle school teacher in the state, as well as different certification options to suit your needs.
What Is a Middle School Teacher?
A middle school teacher is an educator who teaches students in the middle grades, from 6th to 8th grade. Middle school teachers specialize in one or more subjects and deliver their lessons to different classrooms.
Middle school students are typically 11 to 14 years old. This means you must have patience and empathy to understand the unique challenges and developmental stages of middle school students and provide emotional support when needed.
The daily activities of middle school teachers include:
- Lesson planning: Developing lesson plans that align with curriculum standards and preparing materials and resources for the day’s activities.
- Teaching classes: Delivering lessons, facilitating discussions, and conducting activities to help students understand and engage with the material.
- Grading and assessments: Evaluating student work, grading assignments and tests, and providing feedback to help students improve.
- Classroom management: Maintaining order in the classroom, addressing behavioral issues, and creating a conducive learning environment.
- Individual support: Offering extra help to students who need it through one-on-one tutoring, answering questions, or providing additional resources.
- Collaboration: Working with other teachers, administrators, and parents to support student learning and address any issues.
- Administrative tasks: Completing paperwork, such as attendance records, progress reports, and communication with parents or guardians.
- Extracurricular activities: Supervising or organizing extracurricular activities, such as clubs, sports, or school events, often extending beyond regular school hours.
How Much Does a Middle School Teacher Make in Pennsylvania?
The average annual salary of a middle school teacher in Pennsylvania, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is $71,140. This is an average figure with the salaries ranging between $45,720 and $101,590.
There are various factors influencing the variations in wages across different middle school teachers in the state:
- Location: Salaries vary depending on the district or county. Urban areas like Philadelphia or Pittsburgh often offer higher wages compared to rural areas due to the higher cost of living and greater demand for teachers.
- Years of experience: Teachers’ salaries increase with more experience. Pennsylvania follows a salary schedule that increases pay based on years of service.
- Education level: Teachers with advanced degrees (e.g., a Master’s or Doctorate) generally earn more than those with only a Bachelor’s degree.
- District funding: School districts with higher funding due to local property taxes can afford to pay their teachers more. Wealthier districts offer higher salaries than underfunded ones.
- Teacher shortages: In subjects with a shortage of qualified teachers, like STEM and Special Education, schools may offer higher salaries or signing bonuses to attract and retain staff.
- School type: Public schools, private schools, and charter schools offer different salary scales. Public school teachers often benefit from union-negotiated salaries, while private and charter schools have more flexibility in their pay structures.
Wages in USD
A chart showing Pennsylvania middle school teacher wages by percentile based on data from the Bureau of Labour and Statistics
How to Become a Middle School Teacher in Pennsylvania
To become a certified middle school educator in Pennsylvania, you need to accomplish a series of steps. Here’s a brief overview of what you need to do:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree: You need to obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The degree may be in education or in the subject area you wish to teach (e.g., mathematics, science, English).
- Complete student teaching: As part of your bachelor’s degree, you’ll be required to complete a teacher preparation program, which includes coursework in pedagogy and educational theory and a student teaching internship under the supervision of an experienced teacher.
- Pass required exams: You must pass the Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) and Praxis exams, which assess your subject matter competency. The specific tests required will depend on the subject area you plan to teach.
- Apply for certification: After passing your tests, you need to apply for a teaching certificate through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). You will need to submit your official transcripts, test scores, and any other required documentation.
Once you’ve completed the steps above, you’ll obtain a Level I teaching certificate, which is the initial certification for new teachers in Pennsylvania. This certificate is valid for six years of teaching.
After teaching for at least three years and completing 24 post-baccalaureate credits or an approved master’s degree, you can apply for a Level II teaching certificate. This advanced certification is permanent and does not need to be renewed.
Alternative Certification Program for Teachers in Pennsylvania
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education, you can use the alternative certification pathway to become a certified teacher in Pennsylvania.
Alternative certification programs (ACPs) are particularly beneficial for career changers and those seeking to enter the teaching profession without going through a traditional teacher preparation program.
The goal of ACPs is to provide a fast-track route to the classroom while ensuring candidates receive the necessary training and support.
The following are the steps involved in alternative certification:
- Be eligible: You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 minimum GPA. Ensure you choose an alternative certification program that’s nationally accredited.
- Complete required coursework: Enroll in and complete coursework that covers educational theory, pedagogy, and subject-specific teaching methods.
- Participate in student teaching: Gain practical experience through student teaching or working as an intern under the supervision of an experienced teacher.
- Pass certification exams: Pass the PAPA exams and Praxis subject exams.
- Obtain certification: Apply for a teaching certificate, which allows you to teach full-time while completing the remaining requirements for full certification.
- Complete the induction program: Participate in a state-approved program during your first year of teaching, providing mentorship and professional development.
- Apply for Level I certification: After fulfilling all program requirements and gaining teaching experience, apply for a Level I teaching certificate through the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Alternative certification allows you to start teaching sooner, often within a year, compared to traditional programs, which may take several years. For instance, the Teachers of Tomorrow program enables candidates to work as full-time teachers while completing their certification requirements.
Alternative certification programs are self-paced, which is ideal for working professionals. They include support systems, such as mentoring from experienced educators.
Professionals looking to transition into teaching can leverage their existing expertise and experience in a new, rewarding career without starting over. For example, if you have a degree in mathematics, science, or English, you can quickly move into teaching positions where your subject matter knowledge is in high demand.
The Highest and Lowest Paying Middle School Jobs in Pennsylvania
Certified middle school teachers in Pennsylvania can teach in various educational settings. You can choose the environment that best matches your teaching style, professional goals, and personal preferences. These includes:
- Public schools: They are funded by local, state, and federal government sources. Teachers here follow a state-approved curriculum.
- Charter schools: Publicly funded but independently run schools. They often have more flexibility in their curricula and teaching methods compared to traditional public schools.
- Private schools: Privately funded and operate independently of the public school system. May be affiliated to religious organizations or cater to specific populations, such as those with learning disabilities or gifted students.
- Online schools: Virtual schools that offer online education to students. Teachers in these schools conduct classes, interact with students, and provide instruction through digital platforms.
- Special education: Teachers here specialize in meeting the unique educational needs of these students.
As stated, a teacher’s salary may be influenced by the type of school they teach.
A graph showing the highest and lowest-paying middle school jobs in Pennsylvania.
Become a Middle School Teacher in Pennsylvania
Becoming a middle school teacher in Pennsylvania offers a fulfilling career with many opportunities to positively impact young learners. The state offers competitive salaries and a strong support system for educators.
Pennsylvania provides a high quality of life, with access to cultural attractions, outdoor activities, and a reasonable cost of living.
If you’re considering a career change or holding a degree in a field other than education, Teachers of Tomorrow provides an excellent pathway through nationally accredited alternative certification. The program’s curriculum is research-based and designed to provide the support you need to succeed as an educator.
If you have a passion for education and a desire to inspire the next generation, now is the perfect time to pursue a career as a middle school teacher in Pennsylvania.
Explore Teachers of Tomorrow for more insights and resources today.
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