Teach in Georgia

How to find teaching jobs in Georgia

Georgia teaching jobs require the completion of a teacher training program, or a Bachelor’s degree, plus completion of the state’s own teacher preparation course in order to apply for a Georgia teacher license. Similarly to most states, Georgia is experiencing a decline in the number of teachers qualifying to teach math, science, special education and some foreign languages across all grade levels. Many public schools in Georgia are actively hiring for such positions.

Options for teaching in Georgia

With almost 1.6 million pre-K-12 students enrolled in Georgia’s 2,200 public schools, there are many Georgia teaching jobs available at the kindergarten, elementary, middle or high school level.

How to earn your Georgia teaching certificate

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission is responsible for overseeing teacher certification in Georgia. In 2014, they adopted a four-tiered certification structure designed to promote professional career growth for Georgia educators. The new process includes a Pre-Service certification.

After three years of teaching in Georgia, candidates will be eligible to apply for a Professional teaching certificate. After five years of teaching in Georgia, teachers who earn either a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification or an advanced degree, along with high performance ratings in the classroom may become eligible for the highest level of teacher certification in Georgia - Advanced/Lead Professional.

Georgia teaching education requirements

Teachers in Georgia must complete an accredited teacher certification program, taken either online or onsite, that is approved by the state of Georgia. Georgia teachers must also hold, at minimum, a Bachelor’s degree.

Certificate reciprocity in Georgia

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 Georgia, be aware that you will first need to transfer your teaching credentials.

Georgia 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. Out-of-state teachers should visit the Georgia Professional Standards Commission to find out more about getting their teaching certificate in Georgia.

Alternative teacher certification in Georgia

Those who are looking to transition into a teaching career who hold a bachelor’s degree but have not completed a teacher preparation program may be eligible for alternative teacher certification in Georgia through the Georgia Teacher Alternative Preparation Program (TAPP).

Required tests for teachers in Georgia

Teachers in Georgia are required to take the GACE Basic Skills Tests in Reading, Writing and Mathematics, with a passing score of 220. Additionally, teacher in Georgia who wish to teach a specific subject need to pass the relevant GACE Content Assessment.

Other requirements to teach in Georgia

All teachers in Georgia must complete additional coursework in special education and have earned at least six semester hours of college credits within the last five years prior to applying for certification.

Salary and benefits for teachers in Georgia

Teaching salaries in Georgia vary depending on a teacher’s experience and degree level, as well the school district and subject taught. The average yearly income in Georgia is $53,610 for elementary teachers and $55,4360 for high school teachers.

Teachers in Georgia are also provided with health insurance benefits that include dental as well as medical coverage. Georgia teachers are required to contribute towards their health insurance plan.

Teachers in Georgia get around 15 weeks of vacation each year.

Georgia teacher shortage areas (by subject)

Georgia is experiencing a shortage of math, science, special education and foreign language teachers for the 2017 school year.

Professional development for teachers in Georgia

To keep their Georgia teaching certificate valid, Georgia teachers are required to complete professional development hours on an ongoing basis.

Top districts for teaching jobs in Georgia

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

• Buford City Schools
• Decatur City Schools
• Oconee County Schools
• Forsyth County Schools
• Calhoun City Schools
• Fayette County Public Schools
• Camden County Schools
• Cobb County Schools
• Gwinnett County Public Schools
• Cherokee County Schools

Teaching in Georgia at a Glance