Tennessee Career Guide | 2026 61 grading and keeping parents in the loop. You also need to connect well with people and stay cool under pressure while being a good role model for your students. What Kind of Education is Generally Required? You’ll need a bachelor’s degree, usually in the subject you want to teach or in educa- tion with a subject focus. Elementary teachers often major in elementary edu- cation or liberal arts with teacher prep programs, while high school teachers typ- ically major in their subject plus take some education classes. All public school teachers have to complete state-approved teacher prep programs that include student teaching and classes on child development, how kids learn, class- room management and testing. Every state requires teaching licenses. If you want to teach special education, ESL or other specialties, you’ll need extra certi- fication on top of the basic teaching license. What is the Average Salary? Teacher pay varies quite a bit depending on where you work, how long you’ve been teaching, your education level and what grade you teach. Here are the median salaries: elementary and kindergarten teachers ($62,310), high school teachers ($64,580) and career/technical teachers ($62,910). Most teaching jobs come with solid benefits: health insurance, retirement plans, sick days and vacation time. What Growth is Possible? You can become a department chair or grade-level leader while still teaching in the classroom. Many teachers become in- structional coaches, which means helping other teachers get better at what they do. If you want to go the administrative route, you could become an assistant principal, principal or district-level staff member, such as curriculum coordinator or super- intendent. These jobs require more edu- cation and special licensing, but they pay more and give you broader responsibility. You could also specialize as a reading spe- cialist, technology coordinator or ESL di- rector. Some teachers move into higher education, teaching at universities or con- ducting educational research. How Much is This Career in Demand? Job prospects really depend on what level and subject you want to teach. Special ed- ucation, ESL and STEM teachers are in high demand just about everywhere. If you want to teach math, science or special education, you’ll probably find more op- portunities, as there currently aren’t enough teachers in these areas. Rural areas, city school districts and cer- tain states often offer sweet deals to attract people — things like loan forgiveness, sign- ing bonuses or housing assistance. There’s also growing demand for pre-K teachers as early childhood education expands and adult education and ESL programs grow because of changing demographics. Links to Learn More n National Education Association (NEA) www.nea.org n Bureau of Labor Statistics - Teachers www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library n National Board for Professional Teaching Standards www.nbpts.org Tennessee’s Top Careers College of Education The College of Education at Belmont University prepares exceptional educators through early classroom experiences beginning freshman year and comprehensive field placements with Metro Nashville Public Schools and surrounding districts. Our CAEP-accredited and Tennessee Department of Education- approved programs feature rigorous curriculum combining deep content knowledge with proven pedagogical practices. Students benefit from partnerships with diverse educational settings, innovative programs and personalized faculty mentorship. With offerings including traditional undergraduate licensure, Master of Arts in Teaching pathways and fully online programs, graduates are prepared to teach brilliantly, innovate boldly and advocate passionately for students across Tennessee and beyond. The Information on this career is submitted and sponsored by
