{"id":44737,"date":"2023-11-13T13:50:04","date_gmt":"2023-11-13T19:50:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/?p=44737"},"modified":"2024-11-28T02:35:01","modified_gmt":"2024-11-28T08:35:01","slug":"how-to-become-a-teacher-in-new-jersey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/blog\/insights\/how-to-become-a-teacher-in-new-jersey\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Teacher in New Jersey in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Teaching in New Jersey is an active and inspiring career choice that invests in our nation’s future. The hours are family-friendly, allowing people to achieve a fulfilling life\/work balance. New Jersey, ranked as the <\/span>third-best state<\/span><\/a> to live by CNBC, is experiencing a teaching shortage like the rest of the country. Their lawmakers are working hard to create incentives to fix the shortage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) reported that in the fall of the 2022-2023 school year, they had <\/span>116,698 classroom teachers<\/span><\/a> for their 1.3 million students in public enrollment and 58,569 in charter schools. The numbers are not meeting the needs of students, so New Jersey is looking at <\/span>ways<\/span><\/a> to make becoming a teacher easier and more attractive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New Jersey’s commitment to addressing the shortage makes it an excellent time to enter the profession. However, each state has its unique requirements for becoming an educator. <\/span>In this guide, we’ve highlighted essential information on teaching in New Jersey, including the pathways to becoming certified.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Is Teaching the Right Career for You?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are many <\/span>excellent reasons<\/span><\/a> to consider teaching. The enriching vocation expands the minds of the students and the educator.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The profession appeals to those who enjoy variety, as the role continuously evolves, and students bring the unexpected. But the unpredictability means teachers must be adaptable and flexible and are routinely pushed to think outside the box. These demands do bring a degree of fatigue to the mind and body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But for many, the high demands of teaching are worth it despite the profession not earning as much as a doctor or Wall Street investor. The vocation is an investment in the community and the future of the next generation, providing its own unique rewards. Nonetheless, the work does come with fairly good job security, health and retirement benefits.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The pay ranges and benefit packages for teachers vary between states. For example, the average annual salary in <\/span>New Jersey is $79,045 whereas in Vermont, it is $62,866<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

State Requirements for Teaching in New Jersey<\/span><\/h2>\n

The pathways to becoming a teacher vary across the country. In addition, each state’s requirements depend on grade level and subject being taught. However, due to the teaching shortage, most states offer alternative routes for those considering teaching after achieving a bachelor’s degree.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New Jersey is currently reviewing their requirements for teaching in their state. For instance, in the summer of 2023, lawmakers <\/span>proposed a bill<\/span><\/a> to drop the local residency requirement for teachers. While the bill’s fate looks promising, along with many other changes, they have yet to receive Assembly approval.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thus, for 2023, those wishing to teach in New Jersey must be a state resident and meet the following requirements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Bachelor’s Degree<\/span><\/h3>\n

New Jersey, as with the rest of the United States, requires a bachelor’s degree to teach. A candidate must have achieved a cumulative 3.0 GPA out of 4 if they graduate after September 2016. Those who graduated before September 2016 may have a cumulative 2.75 GPA.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is recommended to obtain a degree in elementary or secondary education while taking courses in any specialty or subject area you want to teach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A bachelor’s degree in education provides valuable skills and knowledge to achieve success in the teaching profession, such as:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n