Secondary Education Degrees in California
Education is a major priority in the state of California, which graduates more students per year than almost any other state! Secondary education is of particular importance in this state, as secondary teachers help influence students’ post-high school plans and encourage them in their life goals. If you are ready to make a difference in teenagers’ lives, a career in secondary education may be in your future.
Now could be the perfect time to start your teaching career, whether you’re earning your first degree or making a career switch. KPBS reports that enrollment in teaching programs is down in California, leading to a shortage of teachers throughout the state. This may allow you to enjoy a variety of job opportunities after graduation.
California is in the midst of efforts to strengthen its school systems, and those efforts begin with teachers. A dedication to education quality and the success of your students can take you far in this industry, especially if you’re willing to work alongside parents and caregivers.
Overview of Secondary Education Programs in California
California offers you many routes to earn your teaching certification and start your career. A Master’s degree in education can offer you the advanced knowledge needed to add secondary education to your teaching license. You may choose to earn a Bachelor’s degree; this route requires you to study secondary education and a subject area, so choose an area that interests you and that you’re willing to teach. Alternative certification programs are a popular choice for degree holders.
Your curriculum may contain a wide variety of classes. Plan on getting a lot of practical experience, as you will need to continuously develop your teaching skills throughout the duration of your education. Other courses build on your understanding of teaching theory and help you develop a toolbox of teaching techniques and skills. Some of the courses you may take include Teaching for Thinking, Evaluation of Student Performance, Assessment Techniques in Secondary Education, Statistics in Education, and Introduction to Educational Theories.
Your teaching education all comes together in your final semester. While student teaching, you test out your teaching skills, get feedback from a working educator, and learn how to build bonds with students.
Working in Secondary Education in California
The need for secondary school teachers is expected to grow significantly in California, leading to many job openings throughout the state. Between 2012 and 2022, O*Net anticipates a 7 percent increase in secondary teaching jobs. This growth is expected to lead to roughly 3,000 openings per year (O*Net, 2012). Of course, teacher demand varies between subject areas as well.
Salaries in California tend to be significantly higher than the national average, which is encouraging to new teaching professionals! Per O*Net, the average salary for a secondary teacher in California is $69,000 per year. This is over $14,000 higher than the national average (O*Net, 2013). The highest paid teachers in California earn more than $93,200 per year (O*Net, 2013).
Are you ready to take the next step in your teaching career? Use our school listings below to contact secondary teaching programs in California.
