Teaching in Florida

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Sunshine, beaches and Disney World are just a few of the traits that make Florida a great place to live—and an ideal place for teachers on summer vacation. But before you can take advantage of those long summer months in the Sunshine State, you'll want to learn about teaching in Florida.

What should you know before you become a teacher in Florida? With nearly 4,500 schools and 67 public school districts, Florida is the 4th largest school system in the U.S.⁽¹⁾ And you're paid a good teaching salary in Florida: on average $46,912 in 2009-10, according to the National Education Association. Take your choice: laid-back beach towns, quiet suburban communities and large cosmopolitan cities provide Florida teachers with a diverse range of job opportunities.

Future Florida Teachers
Teaching is a growth industry. The job growth rate for Educational Services in Florida is 2.3 percent, compared to the overall growth rate of 1.76 percent for all occupations. Elementary school teachers, middle school teachers, and special education teachers are all future hot jobs—promising news for anyone thinking about teaching in Florida.⁽²⁾

Though there are alternative routes to certification, teaching in Florida generally requires a bachelor's degree or higher, a completed teacher preparation program, and a passing score on the appropriate Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE).

Current Florida Teachers and School Administrators
In order to move from a temporary teaching certificate to a professional certificate, or to renew your professional certification, Florida teachers must complete the equivalent of 6 semester hours of college credit at an accredited institution. Some teachers choose to further their knowledge in a specific subject, while others develop their pedagogical skills by taking courses in education strategies or child development.⁽³⁾ For information on becoming a school administrator, contact the Florida Department of Education.

Florida Teachers in Demand
If you're still thinking of teaching in Florida, you may want to consider teaching a "critical need" subject such as special education, English for Speakers of Other Languages, foreign languages, English, mathematics or science. You may not even need an education degree; if you're eligible for temporary certification, the Transition to Teaching program can help you identify job opportunities in high-needs schools.⁽⁴⁾

Start your education career today. Research bachelor's and master's degree programs on Teacher World and get on the road to teaching in Florida!

Sources:
(1) National Center for Education Statistics
(2) Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation
(3) Florida Department of Education
(4) TeachInFlorida.com