It takes a special, dedicated person to enter middle school teaching profession. Therefore, it's not surprising when school districts through the country report that middle school teachers in great demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts increasing need for graduates of teaching degree or teacher certification programs.
To help meet teaching demands created by retirements of middle school instructors, many school districts are offering sign-on bonuses and accelerated licensing programs for job applicants. If you already hold a bachelor's degree, many districts will put you straight to work in the classroom while you attend your teacher training program.
Educators with college degrees or an expertise in math and sciences are particularly in high demand, and middle schools are also anxious to recruit teachers with training in bilingual education, reading, and special education. There is also a growing demand for vocational education teachers at middle schools.
Every state has a licensing requirement for public schools, so you should contact the board of education or specific school district where you plan to teach. Junior colleges, universities, and trade schools offer middle school teaching programs, and some offer online training. There are also training courses to help you prepare to take your state's credentialing examination in reading, writing, and mathematics competencies.
Job openings, according to the BLS, will be more prevalent in inner city and rural middle schools. The states of Alaska, Hawaii, California, Idaho, New Mexico and Utah are predicted to have the greatest increases in student enrollment over the next decade.
