Omaha Teacher Education Programs
As the largest city in Nebraska, Omaha is a major player in the state’s education system. Omaha Public Schools serves about 51,000 students – a number even more impressive when you consider that nearly 20 percent of all Nebraska students are enrolled in this district. Omaha is also home to a number of well-known colleges, including the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Creighton University, and College of Saint Mary.
If you’re looking to become a teacher in Nebraska or advance your career in education, Omaha is a great city to earn your degree. Explore our listings of Nebraska colleges to get a jump-start, or keep reading to learn more about education in Omaha.
Teacher Education in Omaha
To narrow down the list of options, first determine which kind of program you need. If you are new to teaching, you will require a Bachelor’s or Alternative Certification program to help earn your initial teaching license in Nebraska. If you already have a Bachelor’s, earning your Master’s is the logical next step. Nearly 50% of all teachers in the Omaha Public Schools district have a Master’s degree, and another 11% is working toward a Master’s degree. Beyond a Master’s you can earn an Educational Specialist degree or a Doctorate.
Omaha offers an excellent support network for its teachers and education professionals. By joining local groups and becoming part of this network, you can stay current on education trends in Omaha, connect with other professional educators, and maybe even help find student teaching positions or post-graduation job placements. One of the largest groups in Omaha is the Omaha Education Association, which offers governmental and legislative support to Omaha teachers. Other Omaha-based teaching groups include the Omaha Music Teachers Association, plus many teaching organizations on the state level.
Career Outlook and Average Salary for Teachers in Omaha
As the largest school district in Nebraska, Omaha employs many teachers of all levels and specialties. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Omaha employs about 4,000 elementary school teachers, 1,600 middle school teachers, and 3,000 high school teachers, in addition to teachers in specialized fields and education administrators.
Teacher salary depends on many factors, including experience level, seniority, teaching specialty, and level of education. The annual mean wage for the most popular teaching fields in Omaha in 2012 was:
- $46,770 for elementary school teachers in Omaha
- $46,790 for middle school teachers in Omaha
- $47,580 for high school teachers in Omaha
- $51,190 for middle school special education teachers
If you’re ready to take your career in education in Omaha to the next level, you’re in the right place! Check out the listings for education programs offered by Omaha colleges, and contact several to request more information.
