{"id":44310,"date":"2025-01-05T16:14:50","date_gmt":"2025-01-05T22:14:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/?p=44310"},"modified":"2025-01-06T21:09:22","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T03:09:22","slug":"how-to-become-a-teacher-in-illinois","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/blog\/insights\/how-to-become-a-teacher-in-illinois\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Teacher in Illinois? 6 Steps to Become a Teacher"},"content":{"rendered":"

Teaching in Illinois is an excellent opportunity if you are looking to work as an educator. You\u2019ll enjoy a competitive salary and valuable medical, vision, dental, and life insurance benefits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A teaching career will give you an excellent chance to pass knowledge, educate, and support the younger generation as they prepare for their future.<\/span><\/p>\n

States have different teacher education levels, experience, and licensing requirements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Illinois report card shows <\/span>134,888<\/span><\/a> teachers in 2022. But, Illinois experienced a teacher shortage with more than <\/span>5,300 <\/span><\/a>classroom positions remaining unfilled in 2022, including administrative and support personnel.<\/span><\/p>\n

As of the 2023-2024 academic year, Illinois continues to grapple with a significant educator shortage. <\/span>According to the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools (IARSS)<\/span><\/a>, over 90% of schools reported experiencing a “serious” or “very serious” teacher shortage.<\/span><\/p>\n

This shortage has led to more than 2,000 unfilled teaching positions statewide, with special education and career and technical education being the most affected areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Illinois State Board of Education’s 2023 Educator Supply and Demand Report<\/span><\/a> indicates that nearly half of all school districts had at least one teacher vacancy during the 2022-2023 school year, with urban and remote rural districts facing the most acute shortages.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, the teacher vacancy rate has nearly tripled from <\/span>1.1% in 2018 to 3% in 2023.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

These statistics underscore the ongoing challenges Illinois faces in maintaining a robust educator workforce, highlighting the need for continued efforts to address the shortages across various regions and specialties.<\/span><\/p>\n

The increasing demand for teachers in this state makes it an excellent one to seek <\/span>teaching licensure<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Students<\/p>\n

Is Teaching the Right Career for You?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Teaching is a greatly rewarding career choice. But, it demands flexibility as anything might happen that can throw you off your schedule.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Though demanding, teaching gives you a chance to make a genuine difference in your learners’ lives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It requires that you effectively manage your responsibilities, collaborate efficiently with colleagues, possess excellent communication skills, and have adequate knowledge of your subject areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most teachers take their careers for a vocation, the motivation being the opportunity to positively inspire the next generations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a teacher, you are also actively involved with your learners, their parents, and the surrounding communities. This demands that you possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The monetary compensation for teachers in Illinois has been increasing over the last five years. However, teachers enjoy other motivation factors besides money. For instance, you will enjoy job stability and extended vacations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Teacher remuneration varies from state to state; for instance, the average annual salary in\u00a0 <\/span>Illinois is $72,301 while in Michigan it\u2019s $65,198<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

State Requirements for Teaching In Illinois<\/b><\/h2>\n

Requirements for teaching in a particular state vary from one state to another. The staffing situation often influences the hiring requirements in a state. For instance, states with a severe teacher shortage will enlist fewer certification requirements than other states.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The teacher licensure requirements also vary depending on the educational level you hope to teach: elementary, secondary, or high school.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The State’s Department of Education determines the requirements for licensure in Illinois. All prospective candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Bachelor’s Degree<\/b><\/h3>\n

A bachelor’s degree in education will prepare you for a rewarding career in helping children acquire the required knowledge and skills.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Illinois state expects its aspiring teachers to seek certification to hold a bachelor’s degree. They must also have completed a teacher preparation program approved by the Illinois Department of Education.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A bachelor’s degree will equip you with the following critical learnings and skills to help you effectively carry out your duties:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n