Georgia is home to over 100,000 teachers. Georgia teachers work in elementary and high schools throughout the state. Teachers make an impact in the lives of their students. They teach essential subjects like math and reading while helping students grow and develop a sense of pride. Teaching requires dedication and flexibility. If you’re passionate about helping students learn and love a challenge, teaching can be a rewarding career.

Job Description

Teachers are required to work during the school day, although many arrive before school and stay after school to do grading and prepare lessons. Teachers are also required to attend meetings and training. During the school day, teachers spend most of their day instructing students, with breaks for lunch and lesson planning. Many teachers opt to coach extracurricular activities such as sports.

Teachers are responsible for teaching, assessing student learning and managing student behavior. They design lessons that align with the Georgia Standards of Excellence, which are Georgia’s state education standards. Elementary teachers teach a wide variety of subjects, while high school teachers specialize in one subject area. Special education teachers may work at the elementary or high school level providing specialized support to students.

Teachers have summers and school holidays off. They may have to attend training and meetings during their breaks, and many spend a portion of their summer preparing their classrooms and lessons for the upcoming school year.

Education Requirements

Georgia teaching positions require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, you must complete a teacher credentialing program through a state-approved program. You can pursue your teaching certificate while getting your bachelor’s degree. You can also go through a credentialing program after you’ve earned your bachelor’s degree. Some programs combine a teaching credential with a master’s degree. Although a master’s degree isn’t required for teaching in Georgia, many teachers opt to get a master’s degree because you earn a higher salary with one.

According to the Georgia Department of Education, as of 2017, the average beginning teacher’s salary in Georgia is $40,392. The average overall salary for a Georgia teacher is $55,529.

Industry

Georgia teachers work in public and private schools throughout the state. Georgia is home to 21 city public school systems, 159 county public school systems and 23 charter schools. As of 2017, there were over 2,200 schools throughout the state serving more than 1.7 million students. Teachers in Georgia work in urban, rural and suburban school districts. Teachers in larger, urban districts may enjoy more training and advancement opportunities. Teachers in smaller districts may enjoy the smaller staff and homier environment.

Years of Experience

Georgia school districts based their salaries on the state salary schedule, although some schools may offer additional money as well. The state salary schedule bases your pay on the number of years of service you have, the type of certificate you have and the amount of education you’ve attained. For a teacher with a bachelor’s degree who has a professional credential, the salary schedule looks like this:

• 0-2 years of creditable service: $34,092
• 3-4 years of creditable service: $35,115-$36,168
• 5-6 years of creditable service: $37,253-$38,743
• 7-8 years of creditable service: $39,905-$41,701
• 9-10 years of creditable service: $42,952
• 11-12 years of creditable service: $44,241
• 13-14 years of creditable service: $45,568
• 15-16 years of creditable service: $46,935
• 17-18 years of creditable service: $48,343
• 19-20 years of creditable service: $49,793
• 21 or more years of creditable service: $51,287

Job Growth Trend

The demand for teachers over the next ten years is expected to grow by 7 percent for elementary teachers and 8 percent for high school teachers. This is due to teachers retiring as well as teachers leaving the profession. As of the 2016-2017 academic year, there were 20,842 students enrolled in Georgia teacher preparation programs and getting ready to begin their teaching careers.