Becoming a teacher in Austin opens the door to opportunities within the Austin Independent School District (AISD), a publicly funded school system in Austin. It houses 116 diverse campuses providing education to more than 73,000 students.

Joining Austin ISD as a teacher is a meaningful step toward shaping young minds. In this article, we will look at the necessary steps to become a teacher in Austin, including the process for joining AISD, insights into teacher salaries, and more.

Becoming a Teacher in Austin

Step 1: Understand The Requirements

The requirements for becoming a teacher in Austin, or anywhere in Texas, are set by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Before you begin the process of earning your certification and starting your dream career, you must fulfill these requirements. Here are the basic standards you must meet:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. This degree does NOT have to be in education.
• Complete an educator preparation course that has been approved by the TEA.
• Pass the relevant certification exams, depending on your subject area.
• Submit an application to the state of Texas, after you have completed your preparation program and exams.
• Undergo fingerprinting and a national criminal background check.

Depending upon the grade level and the subject area you wish to specialize in, you may need to meet additional requirements. At Teacher Builder, we can help guide you through the requirements necessary to achieve your specific career goals.

Don’t have a bachelor’s degree? No worries! Our Career and Technology route can help you leverage your full-time work experience to get into the classroom.

Step 2: Enroll in an Educator Preparation Program

Once you have your bachelor’s degree, or have 2-5 years of full-time work experience in a specific industry, you can apply to an approved educator preparation program. These programs offer the training and coursework necessary to prepare for a teaching career in your desired subject area. At Teacher Builder, we also offer support through the first year of teaching so you can become an educator with more confidence. In order to become a teacher in Austin, you will need to choose one that is TEA-approved. In addition, here are a few things to evaluate when choosing your program:

• Cost
• Location
• Duration
• Schedule Flexibility
• Test Pass Rates

Ideally, you should select a program that is affordable, flexible, and fast, allowing you to get into the classroom in a matter of weeks or months. You should also choose one that has a high test rate pass for its students and that fits into your work and family schedule.

Step 3: Get Hands-On Experience

Part of your preparation program, and part of the requirements to become a teacher in Texas, is to get hands-on teaching experience in a classroom. This experience is called field experience and usually precedes your student teaching experience. During this field experience, which should total at least 30 hours, you will receive the opportunity to work with real students in real classroom settings that mirror the type of educational career you wish to choose.

This step in the process of becoming a teacher in Austin is important because it gives you the opportunity to apply what you are learning in your coursework to real-world experiences. In addition, these hours of field experience give you hands-on practice in classroom management, student engagement, and instructional strategies that may be difficult to learn purely on an academic level.

Step 4: Pass the TExES Exams

The TExES exams are a required step in becoming a certified Austin teacher. Based on numerous subject areas, they are a way for you to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have in the area you wish to teach. At Teacher Builder, we will help you prepare in one of 25 subject areas, providing coursework, tests, and other materials to help you gain the knowledge you need to pass. We can also help you find and take the exam that best fits your career goals.

Step 5: Apply For Teacher Certification

Once you have passed the required tests with eligible scores, you can proceed to the next step, which is to apply for the Texas educator certification. This certification is essential for becoming a certified teacher in Texas.

If you have taken all your tests, received scores, and passed them all, you can apply for initial classroom teacher certification at the TEA (Texas Educator Agency) website. Just create your educator account through TEAL Login.

After clicking on TEAL login, you will click on “Request New User Account” and fill out the application form that follows. Submit your transcripts, exam scores, application, and any other necessary documentation. You will also need to undergo your fingerprinting and background check at this point.

Step 6: Look For A Job

To specifically become a public school teacher in Austin, you need to apply at the Austin Independent School District (AISD), which overlooks the hiring of public schools in Austin. Here are the steps to follow:

1.    Complete the application form

Visit austinisd.org and fill out the application form available on the website. You also need to submit your resume, transcripts, and the educator certification you just earned along with the application form.

2.    Receive interview calls

When you apply through AISD, you are submitting your application for teacher positions across multiple public schools in Austin simultaneously. Your application will be reviewed by principals and the hiring department of various schools. If your application is approved, you may be contacted for an interview directly by a specific school. Interviews are typically conducted in person, and you may be asked to teach a sample lesson to demonstrate your teaching skills.

3.    Get hired

If your teaching style and skills match the requirements, the school will contact you to complete the remaining requirements for getting hired as a teacher.

Some of the top public schools in Austin to enroll in are the Liberal Arts and Science Academy, Richards School for Young Women Leaders, Westlake High School, and more.

Teacher Salary in Austin

As per salary.com, a public school teacher in Austin can collect an average salary of $56,850, subject to various factors like teaching experience, grade level, subject area, school reputation, education level, and more.

An entry-level public school teacher in Austin can earn around $38,927 annually, whereas a highly experienced teacher earns up to $80,711 annually.

Teacher Shortage 2023-24

As per the latest released teacher shortage data released by the TEA, there is a demand for teachers in several subject areas in Texas:

• Bilingual/English as a second language

• Career and Technical Education (secondary level)
• Computer science/technology applications
• English Language Arts and Reading (secondary level)
• Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies (secondary level)
• Special Education

If you are applying for teacher positions this year, make sure you consider these as your subject areas for better hiring opportunities. The teacher shortage data for the next session has also been released by TEA assessed through its website.

As per the Texas Labor Market Information System, Austin will see a rising growth rate in teaching jobs over the years. The market is expected to grow by 27% through 2026, of which elementary teacher positions will see a growth of 20.4%, middle school teacher positions will see a growth of 20.5%, and secondary school teacher positions will see a growth of 20.6% by 2026.

In case you are wondering, you can check out these articles on how to become an elementary school teacher, music teacher, English teacher, computer science, and science teacher in Texas.

Ready to start the process? At Teacher Builder, we offer a fast, flexible, and affordable way to get your teaching certification – Completely online. That means you can study at your own pace, enjoy support through your first year of teaching, and even get help landing the perfect Austin job. Applying is free, so pursue your dream career today!

Disclaimer

This article does not contain legal, educational, or government advice. As regulations can change from time to time, readers are advised to check with their local education departments to receive up-to-date information.