Getting Started in Teaching and Education Careers
Teachers are in high demand across Connecticut and the number of teaching opportunities is projected to grow. As an educator, you can grow your career and your salary in many ways. Examples include teaching more than one subject, teaching advanced subjects, adding after-school responsibilities, becoming a department chair, becoming a school or district administrator, and developing education policies.
More than a dozen colleges and universities in Connecticut teach students to become educators. There are four organizations for people who want to take a different path to teaching.
These resources from the Connecticut Department of Education can help you get started:
- TeachConnecticut: Find everything you need to learn about teaching and get into the classroom.
- Help for Aspiring Educators: Whether you're taking your first steps toward the career or have already completed an approved teacher training program, the State Department of Education's Bureau of Certification can connect you to the programs, resources, and assessments you need to become a certified educator.
- Certification Requirements: Understand the steps you need to take to become a certified teacher or vocational teacher.
- Pathways to Teaching: Learn how you can pursue teaching as a current student or as a professional making a career pivot.
- Applying for Teacher Certification: Access the form and steps required to apply for teacher certification.
- Paraprofessional Requirements: Discover resources for becoming a paraprofessional educator.
Explore details about typical jobs in education:
- Preschool Teachers
- Elementary Teachers
- Science Teachers (middle school and high school)
- Substitute Teachers
- Vocational Teachers
Preschool Teachers
The job: Instruct preschool-aged students in activities that promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
Common job titles: Child Development Teacher, Early Childhood Teacher, Group Teacher, Infant Teacher, Montessori Preschool Teacher, Nursery Teacher, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, Pre-K Teacher, Teacher, Toddler Teacher
Education: These jobs usually require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Education & Training ConneCTion: Find a program.
Certificates: Any needed certificates will be specified by the employer.
Elementary School Teachers
The job: Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.
Common job titles: Teacher, Elementary Teacher, Elementary School Teacher, Art Teacher, Classroom Teacher, Educator, Elementary Education Teacher
Education: Most of these jobs require a bachelor’s degree.
Certificates: Public school teachers must be certified by the State of Connecticut.
Science Teachers (middle school and high school)
The job: Teach biology, chemistry, earth science, general science, or physics at the middle school or high school level.
Common job titles: Science Teacher, Biology Teacher, Chemistry Teacher, Earth Science Teacher, Health Technology Teacher, Nurse Teacher, Physics Teacher, STEM Teacher, Lab Teacher
Education: Most of these jobs require a bachelor’s degree.
Certificates: Public middle school and high school teachers must be certified by the State of Connecticut.
Substitute Teachers
The job: Short-term substitute teachers are temporary replacements for regular classroom teachers. They typically use the regular teacher's lesson plan.
Common job titles: Substitute Teacher, Sub, Temporary Teacher
Education: Most of these jobs require a bachelor’s degree, but a school district can ask for a waiver for otherwise qualified individuals.
Certificates: Long-term substitute teachers in public school must be certified by the State of Connecticut.
Vocational Teachers
The job: Teach a profession, trade, or occupation, typically at the middle school or high school level.
Common job titles: Vocational Teacher, Vocational Educator, Votech Teacher, Tech Ed Teacher, Agriculture Teacher, Architecture Teacher, Auto Repair Teacher, Business Teacher, Computers Teacher, Culinary Teacher, IT Teacher, Photography Teacher, Shop Teacher, Veterinary Science
Education: These jobs typically require a high school diploma or bachelor’s degree and teaching coursework.
Certificates: Public school vocational teachers must be certified by the State of Connecticut.