{"id":46453,"date":"2024-07-13T12:55:27","date_gmt":"2024-07-13T17:55:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/?p=46453"},"modified":"2024-07-13T12:55:28","modified_gmt":"2024-07-13T17:55:28","slug":"how-to-become-a-teacher-in-ohio-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/blog\/insights\/how-to-become-a-teacher-in-ohio-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Teacher in Ohio &#8211; What to Know in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you dream of a career that&#8217;s both challenging and rewarding? You\u2019ll want to consider becoming a teacher in Ohio. It&#8217;s a chance to inspire and shape future leaders, making a lasting difference in the lives of your students.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ohio welcomes all passionate educators. To qualify, you&#8217;ll need a teaching license and a bachelor&#8217;s degree in an approved program. The demand for qualified teachers is high, with over 50,000 unfilled positions nationwide and a strong need in Ohio itself.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This guide will walk you through the steps to obtaining your teaching license and launching your teaching career in Ohio.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-364948\" src=\"\/media-tx\/teacher_ohio.jpg\" alt=\"Teacher in the classroom\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Reasons to Become a Teacher in Ohio<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ohio has been facing a teacher shortage since the COVID-19 period. The state\u2019s Department of Education has rolled out initiatives using federal funds to get more qualified teachers into classrooms and keep the learning going.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such initiatives include <\/span><b>state-funded tutoring programs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>no-cost resources<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for schools, and <\/span><b>grants<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to boost educator licensure programs.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/blog\/insights\/how-to-become-a-teacher-in-ohio\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why teach in Ohio?\u00a0 Well, there are a lot of benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stable employment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Teachers are always in demand. Even if you&#8217;re starting your career, Ohio employs about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ohiobythenumbers.com\/#ohio-educators\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10,000 teachers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> so you\u2019re guaranteed stable employment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Long vacations: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teachers across the country enjoy summer breaks\u2013 time you can use to recharge or pursue other passions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Impact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: You&#8217;re not just confined to classroom instruction; teachers touch lives and shape the future of generations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Financial perks: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As an Ohio teacher, you&#8217;ll earn a competitive salary and a benefits package with health insurance and a retirement plan. For instance, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wtol.com\/article\/news\/state\/ohio-house-bill-raising-teacher-base-salary\/512-01c01a59-b425-4ef3-b841-1799b58beb05#:~:text=Ohio%20House%20Bill%20411%20would,%2435%2C000%20to%20%2450%2C000%20a%20year.&amp;text=TOLEDO%2C%20Ohio%20%E2%80%94%20Ohio%20Democrats%20last,%2435%2C000%20to%20%2450%2C000%20a%20year.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">House bill was recently introduced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that will raise the starting pay of teachers to $50,000. A considerable increase from the current pay.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What Does a Teacher Do In Ohio?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Ohio, you\u2019ll be responsible for educating students by creating lesson plans, instructing students, and assessing their work. Here are various activities you\u2019ll do as a teacher in Ohio:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Planning and preparing lessons:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You\u2019ll act as a curriculum architect. You translate state standards into engaging lesson plans that cater to different learning styles and abilities. This may involve research creativity and a good understanding of the subject matter<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Encouraging student participation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ohio teachers create dynamic learning environments where students actively participate through discussions, group projects, presentations, and hands-on activities. You will encourage critical thinking and problem-solving in a safe learning space.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Researching and developing new teaching materials:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Beyond textbooks, you can leverage a variety of resources to make learning come alive. This might involve creating simulations, developing interactive worksheets, incorporating historical documents, or even using virtual reality tools.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Marking student work and recording performance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Teachers mark student work and provide specific feedback that helps students understand their strengths and weaknesses. You may also track student performance data and adjust your teaching methods accordingly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Setting assessments and overseeing examinations: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assessments are crucial tools for measuring student progress and identifying areas where they need additional support. Ohio teachers create a variety of assessments, including quizzes, essays, presentations, and performance-based tasks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Providing learners with one-to-one support:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A strong student-teacher relationship is key to student success. You\u2019ll take time to build rapport with your students, creating a safe space where students feel comfortable seeking help and asking questions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Steps to Become a Teacher In Ohio<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every state in the U.S. has its own set of rules for becoming a teacher. You need a valid teaching license to teach in the state&#8217;s pre-K-12 classrooms In Ohio.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To qualify for traditional licensure, you\u2019ll need to follow these steps:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1.<\/b> <b>Enroll in an approved teacher preparation program.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teacher preparation programs provide the coursework and clinical experiences needed to become a teacher. Completing an approved program equips you with the pedagogical skills and knowledge to effectively instruct students and meet curriculum standards.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To get started with a teacher preparation program in Ohio, research and choose an accredited program that aligns with your desired grade level and subject area. Look for programs approved by the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/highered.ohio.gov\/educators\/academic-programs-policies\/academic-program-approval\/educator-preparation\/education-program-finder\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODE).<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should also consider factors like program format (in-person, online), cost, and student teaching placements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teacher preparation programs typically take 1-2 years to complete. They are essential for gaining classroom management expertise, developing lesson plans, and understanding different teaching methods.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Earn a bachelor\u2019s degree.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To earn a resident educator license, you need a bachelor\u2019s degree in education from an approved college or university.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A bachelor&#8217;s degree typically takes four years to complete and provides deep subject knowledge, preparing you to teach the content to your students effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To become a teacher in Ohio, choose a major that aligns with your desired teaching subject or grade level. For example, a major in elementary, middle, or high school, and your desired subject area (math, science, English, etc.).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Pass all teacher exams.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To become a teacher in Ohio, you must pass the Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) exam series.\u00a0 These exams cover pedagogical knowledge assessment,\u00a0 content knowledge assessment, different subjects, and teaching skills to ensure you\u2019re ready for the classroom.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must also pass the resident educator summative assessment. For foreign languages and audiology or speech pathology, you\u2019ll need to pass the writing and oral language proficiency tests and\u00a0 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/blog\/insights\/how-to-prepare-for-the-praxis-exam\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Praxis tests<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> respectively.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To begin, identify the specific OAE tests required for your chosen grade level and subject. Register for the exams online and utilize <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thelearningliaisons.com\/find-your-exam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">practice tests and video guides<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to prepare effectively. Passing these exams demonstrates your qualifications to teach in Ohio classrooms.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Pass a background check.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All aspiring teachers in Ohio must pass a background check from the\u00a0 Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and FBI. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Background checks typically involve fingerprint scans and a review of criminal history.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll need to get these done at an approved location, and they must be no older than one year when you apply for your license.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Apply for your four-year resident educator license<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you&#8217;ve completed all requirements, apply for your initial teaching license through the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). In Ohio, this is a four-year Resident Educator License. Submit your transcripts, test scores, and background check results along with the application. This license allows you to begin teaching under the guidance of a mentor who will provide support and feedback during your first years in the classroom.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When applying for teaching certification in Ohio, you will fill out your personal information and upload your official transcripts and exam score reports.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s the expected certification processing fee:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The resident educator license fee is $160.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The professional educator license fee is $200.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The application processing time may take 5-7 business days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Apply for Teaching Jobs<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, you are ready for your final step in starting your journey as an educator. You want to find a teaching job that aligns with your career needs and preferences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s how to get started:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Find school districts that are hiring: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online job boards and websites dedicated to education careers. Check out the career pages of school district websites for the most up-to-date listings. Connect with other educators and attend job fairs to learn about openings and get your foot in the door.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Create a strong resume: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your resume is your first impression, so make it count. Use a clean layout, proofread for errors, and let your passion for teaching shine through. Highlight your strengths, quantify your achievements, and customize your resume for each application to align with the school\u2019s values and the specifics of the job posting.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>How Long Does It Take to Become a Teacher In Ohio?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The professional educator license takes approximately four years. This path also includes four years of getting a bachelor&#8217;s degree and about two years of getting a teacher preparation license.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s the traditional path to teaching licensure in Ohio:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Bachelor&#8217;s degree- <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This includes education coursework alongside your subject matter studies and typically takes four years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Teacher preparation program-<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Many bachelor&#8217;s programs incorporate teacher preparation coursework. Alternatively, you can complete a standalone post-baccalaureate that takes 1- 2 years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Licensure exams and application-<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Once you&#8217;ve completed your teacher preparation program, you&#8217;ll need to pass the Ohio licensing exams for your desired grade level and subject area, which will take a few months.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ohio offers <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/ohio\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">alternative teacher certification programs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for individuals with relevant experience but lacking a traditional education degree. The alternative route takes less than two years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also get an o<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ut-of-state license if you\u2019re already a teacher in another state. Associate licenses are also given to experts in a specific subject area who want to teach part-time or in a limited capacity.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Salaries for Teachers In Ohio<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The average salary for public school teachers in Ohio is<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salary.com\/research\/salary\/benchmark\/public-school-teacher-salary\/oh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <b>$56,818<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but can range from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salary.com\/research\/salary\/benchmark\/public-school-teacher-salary\/oh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>$47,442 to $69,306<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Salaries can vary depending on the city you\u2019re in, your education level, any additional certifications, other skills, and the number of years you\u2019ve been teaching. For instance, teachers with a master&#8217;s degree or those working in suburban districts can expect to earn more than those with a bachelor&#8217;s degree or working in rural areas.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Job Outlook for Teachers In Ohio<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a huge demand for teachers in Ohio. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salary.com\/research\/salary\/benchmark\/public-school-teacher-salary\/oh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Salary.com <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reports a decline in the number of teachers in areas like languages, sciences, math, and special education leading to a shortage that could affect the quality of education.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To combat the demand, Ohio lawmakers have introduced a bill to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbc4i.com\/news\/local-news\/columbus\/bill-would-boost-ohio-teachers-base-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increase the base pay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for new teachers by up to $12,000.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are great opportunities for new teachers to impact the state\u2019s education system due to efforts made to recruit more teachers, especially in districts with high enrollment like Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, and Columbus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Become a Teacher In Ohio<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re passionate about education and making a positive impact on future generations, becoming a teacher in Ohio may be the perfect path for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the current teacher shortage, the outlook for educators in the state is promising. If you already have a degree in another field, you can explore our alternative<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">certification options<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which will take you a shorter time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Teachers of Tomorrow, we offer you a personalized learning path and support to help you become a great teacher. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/ohio\/apply\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Begin your teaching<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> journey today and become part of shaping the future of education in Ohio.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you dream of a career that&#8217;s both challenging and rewarding? You\u2019ll want to consider becoming a teacher in Ohio. It&#8217;s a chance to inspire and shape future leaders, making &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46453","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-insights"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2024-11-28 13:36:34","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category"},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46453"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/60"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46453"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46453\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46454,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46453\/revisions\/46454"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46453"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46453"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46453"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}