Teaching is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the next five to ten years. By 2008, experts have forecast that Texas will need over 82,000 new teachers to fill the demand across the state. Many people in the past have shied away from becoming a teacher, simply due to the stereotype that teachers are underpaid. However, the current average salary for teachers in Texas is $38,857. Teaching is becoming a more attractive field for individuals to enter even if they are working in other professions. Alternative certification programs have allowed individuals to spend a minimal amount of time and money to become a certified teacher in Texas. The only requirement to apply for an alternative certification is to possess a bachelors degree from an accredited university.
Teaching has become more attractive to individuals across the state as salaries have increased and stipends are being offered for hard to fill areas such as math, science, foreign languages, technology and bilingual positions. Stipends around the state for a bilingual teacher have averaged around $5,000. This increase in salary has made a huge impact in attracting and retaining qualified teachers around the state. Alternative certification programs will help fill teaching positions in rural and urban areas of Texas, as well as subject areas such as math, science and foreign languages.
Traits of an effective teacher:
Creative thinker
Have high expectation of students
Warm and caring
Can handle discipline problems
Confident in subject matter
Ability to tailor teaching style to students
Imaginative
Enthusiastic
Possess problem solving skills
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