Iowa teaching jobs

How to find teaching jobs in Iowa

Iowa teaching jobs require, at minimum a Bachelor’s degree, and a teaching credential issued by the state. There is currently high demand in rural areas for teachers across all subjects and grade levels. Iowa has developed a successful teacher leadership program which is implemented across many of its public schools. Education leadership coaches may work in the classroom one-on-one with teachers of all experience levels, to build organization and classroom management skills.

Options for teaching in Iowa

With almost half a million pre-K-12 students enrolled in New Jersey's almost 1,400 public schools, there’s no shortage of Iowa teaching jobs at the kindergarten, elementary, middle or high school level. Iowa teaching jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 7.5% by 2024, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, creating a strong job market for teachers in Iowa as well as for out-of-state teachers looking to relocate.

How to earn your Iowa teaching license

There are three types of Iowa teacher licenses available to teachers in Iowa: Initial, Standard and Master Educator. The Initial certificate is valid for two years and is issued to new teachers who meet the state’s basic requirements. After two years of teaching, teachers in Iowa can apply for a Standard License which is valid for another five years. A Master Educator License is earned by teachers who complete five years of teaching and earn a Master’s degree.

Iowa teaching education requirements

Teachers in Iowa are required to hold a Bachelor’s degree and have completed an accredited teacher preparation program. Due to a recency requirement, Iowa teaching candidates must also have completed at least six semester hours of college credit in the last five years before applying for a teaching license

Alternative teacher certification in Iowa

Iowa offers a Teacher Intern License, which allows candidates with a Bachelor's degree (GPA of 2.5 or higher), at least three years of work experience and the necessary coursework prerequisites to apply for alternative teacher certification in Iowa through the state's Teacher Intern License program

Certificate reciprocity in Iowa

The process of transferring teaching certification from one state to a different state is called certification reciprocity. If you are an American licensed teacher looking for teaching jobs in Iowa, be aware that you will first need to transfer your teaching credentials.

Iowa is one of 44 US states currently participating in The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement for Educator Licensure. Explore all your options for certification reciprocity in Iowa on the Iowa Department of Education website.

Required tests for teachers in Iowa

Teachers in Iowa will need to pass the Praxis Core and Praxis II Subject Assessment exams.

Other requirements to teach in Iowa

In order to be certified to teach in Iowa, you are required to undertake a state and federal background check and fingerprinting. Check out the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners website for more details.

Salary and benefits for teachers in Iowa

Teaching salaries in Iowa vary depending on a teacher’s experience and degree level, as well the subject taught. Teachers in Iowa, on average, make a yearly salary of $50,900. Increased pay and loan forgiveness are often offered as an incentive to teach in shortage subject areas. Iowa teachers are also eligible for health benefits, offered by their school district.

Teachers in Iowa are entitled to 15 weeks of vacation each year.

Iowa teacher shortage areas (by subject)

Iowa is experiencing teacher shortages in the following subject areas for the 2017 school year: special education, English language learning, math and science.

Professional development for teachers in Iowa

To keep their Iowa teaching certificate valid, Iowa teachers are required to complete professional development hours on an ongoing basis. Check out the Iowa Professional Development Model to find out more.

Top districts to find teaching jobs in Iowa

Some of the top districts to teach in Iowa include the following:

Ames Community School District

Pleasant Valley Community School District

Decorah Community School District

Gilbert Community School District

Johnston Community School District

Waukee Community School District

Ankeny Community School District

Cedar Falls Community School District

Bettendorf Community School District

Linn-Mar Community School District

Teaching in Iowa at a Glance