person at a podium

On your application, list teaching and child-centered experiences in reverse chronological order, with recent experiences listed first. Some applications will have a short-answer question for you to complete or you may be asked to write a philosophy statement. A focus on student learning and your own life-long learning are critical!

  • Make your responses clear and concise, but don’t shortchange your answers. Remember that you are applying for a teaching position to educate and influence young people; make sure that your responses are student-centered.
  • Noteworthy accomplishments are also good to include in your application. These might include such things as special honors and awards you have received, grad honors, leadership roles and publications you have authored.
  • It takes two to three hours to complete each application. Allow yourself plenty of uninterrupted time. Do not wait until your student teaching has been completed to first begin the application process.
  • Print the application first, when possible, and write your answers before completing the final outline application. By printing the application, you can thoughtfully complete your answers in a very professional way.
  • References should always be included in your application. Make sure you have their permission to include their contact information and an alternate phone number (in case a potential employer needs to contact your reference during a school break).
  • Send all required application materials in one packet if possible, and do not fold documents. Teachers who are highly qualified for their positions are in high demand. Make sure to highlight in your application the things that you have done to interact with and work with students.
  • Update your application if your experiences or information changes. An unreported change in any of your contact information may result in a missed communication for the school district.
  • Verify that your dates are accurate. Do not guess. Incorrect information can cost you the job. Wordiness should be avoided in your essay questions. Be concise. Examine your finished application for any misspelled words or typos. Do not rely on the spell/grammar check feature. It is always a good idea to have a trusted friend or colleague proofread your application materials before you send them.
  • You are a teacher and you yearn for a chance to teach. Be in that frame of mind when completing your application. 

The Education Job Market

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, job opportunities for teachers will vary with the locality, grade level, and subject taught. Most job openings will result from the need to replace a large number of teachers who are expected to retire over the next 18-year period. Also, many beginning teachers — especially those employed in poor, urban schools — decide to leave teaching for other careers after a year or two, creating additional job openings for teachers. 

Job prospects should be better in inner cities and rural areas than in suburban districts. Subject areas with the highest demand include mathematics, science (especially chemistry and physics), bilingual education and foreign languages.

Nationwide, the average public school teacher salary for the 2023-24 school year was $68,090. Find more information on jobs and occupational outlook at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Find out more at bls.gov