Become a Teacher in Kansas
Kansas State Department of Education
http://www.ksde.org/120 SE 10th Avenue Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 296-3201
Kansas highlights
Become a teacher in Kansas
Kansas Teacher Shortage areas
Earn Your Kansas Teaching Credential
To earn your Kansas teaching credential you will have to complete the appropriate amount of undergraduate coursework and standardized tests, as well as an accredited certification program. Kansas issues three types of license: Initial (for a teacher’s first two years), Professional (requiring a performance assessment and valid for five years), and Accomplished (valid for ten years and “only available to teachers who have achieved National Board Certification® from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.”) Learn more here about getting your Kansas Teaching Credential.
Learn more about getting your teaching credential.
Return to the topPrerequisite Coursework in Kansas
All states require that prospective teachers have at least a Bachelor’s Degree and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program to receive certification. Some states also have specific course and credit-hour requirements.
Teacher education programs generally consist of two elements—curricula and fieldwork. Curricula generally includes instruction on teaching fundamental skills, pedagogy (the science of teaching) and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. Fieldwork often includes field observations, internships, student teaching or a combination of all three. Check with your teacher preparation program or the Department of Education for more information about specific requirements.
Kansas does not list specific course or credit hour requirements, but every college or university teacher preparation program will have requirements of its own. Contact your teacher preparation program or the Department of Education for more information.
Return to the topRequired Tests for Kansas
Most states require tests to show competency in Basic Skills as well as in the desired Subject Area. Kansas does not require a basic skills test. Just the Praxis II: Subject Tests in your specialty area and the Praxis II PLT (Principles of Learning and Teaching) test.
Read more about teacher certification tests.
Return to the topKansas Teacher Certification Programs
Teacher Certification Programs can be taken online or on-site. They typically include an educational theory and classroom skills seminar and a fieldwork component of student teaching in the area. A list of accredited teacher preparation programs in Kansas can be found here.
Return to the topAlternate Teacher Certification in Kansas
Kansas offers a Restricted Teaching License Alternative Pathway which is designed to help career professionals with the appropriate prerequisite coursework easily transition to teaching. The restricted license allows professionals to teach in secondary level content areas or at all levels in certain subject areas while working towards applying for a full Kansas teaching license.
Missouri Region Troops to Teachers program Return to the topCertification Reciprocity in Kansas
Interstate reciprocity is a program that allows teachers certified in one state to teach in another state. To find out which other state teaching licenses can be used in Kansas, visit the Teach.com reciprocity page . Or, for more specific questions about your situation, contact the Kansas Department of Education.
Return to the topBenefits of a Master's in Education in Kansas
It is no longer enough to just have years of experience for teaching. After No Child Left Behind and other academic quantification measures, the careers of teachers increasingly depend on their results in the classroom. A Master's in Teaching will give you more educational theory and classroom skills, as well as more hands-on student teaching experience with a mentor. After a Master's program, you will be able to achieve better results in the classroom and have more job security and higher pay.
In the Wichita Public Schools, a Master’s degree will enable you to earn $2,300-$4,400 per year more than teachers lacking advanced degrees, depending on your length of experience.
Learn more about the Benefits of a Master's in Education.
Return to the topMaster's in Education Financial Aid
Kansas residents are eligible for the Applegate/Jackson/Parks Future Teacher Scholarship as well as the TEACH Grant, a grant which gives financial aid to students in return for an agreement to teach in a high-need school.
Learn more about how to finance your Master's degree.
Return to the topKansas Teacher Salary and Incentives
The average teacher in Kansas makes $43,265 per year, which is 104% of the state average income. Salaries in Kansas vary by county and school district. For more specific information on Kansas teacher salaries, you can use the K-12 data reports from the Kansas Department of Education.
Learn more about teacher salaries.
Return to the topKansas Teacher Benefits and Retirement
The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, or KPERS was established in 1961 for all Kansas public employees, which includes teachers. Depending on what tier their retirement plan falls into, members may retire as early as 55 if they have at least ten years of service, or at age 65 with five years of service. Kansas offers teachers other benefits such as health care, dental care, annual and sick leave, surviving spouse support and job promotion opportunities.
Learn more about benefits for teachers.
Return to the topProfessional Development for Teachers in Kansas
Kansas’ Professional Development plans include goals to continually educate teachers and ensure they have the most current knowledge and skills to best educate students. Kansas’ Professional Development goals and ideas are explained more thoroughly on the Professional Development Page on the department of education’s website.
In order to renew a professional license, teachers must complete 120 Professional Development Points if they hold an advanced degree and 160 Professional Development points without an advanced degree.
Return to the topKansas Teaching Jobs
The Kansas Department of Education runs an Employment page that compiles a number of educator job posting sites. The most useful job site for teachers would be KansasTeachingJobs.com, a site where teachers can make a profile and apply to jobs from all across the state.
Learn more about finding a teaching job.
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