Supply and Demand
Teaching is one of the most rewarding career paths one can embark on. Teachers have the power to affect positive change and mold future leaders. According to state reports, there were 362,193 teachers employed across the Texas school districts (Ramsay 2019). Nevertheless, districts and news outlets are reporting that the state of Texas is in the midst of a major teacher shortage. Around the state school administrators are sounding the alarm over a teacher shortage (Fikes 2019).
Texas Highlights
Avg. School Teacher Salary: $54,122
Work for 10 Months and have a 2 Month Break
(Texas Education Agency 2019)
Texas Teacher Shortage Areas
According to the US. Department of Education a teacher shortage as “an area of specific grade, subject matter or discipline classification, or a geographic area in which … there is an inadequate supply of elementary or secondary school teachers.” The Department allows states to identify their own teacher shortage areas. The following is a list of certification areas that are considered shortage areas in Texas.
- Bilingual Elementary Teachers
- Mathematics
- Science
- Special Education
(U.S. Department of Education 2016)
Quick Facts About the Teaching Profession
Quick Facts: Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers
Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
None
None
1,565,300
7% (As fast as average
116,300
What Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers Do
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct young students in basic subjects, such as math and reading, in order to prepare them for future schooling.
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers work in public and private schools. They generally work school hours when students are present and use nights and weekends to prepare lessons and grade papers. Most kindergarten and elementary school teachers do not work during the summer.
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019)
Middle School Teachers
Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
None
None
630,300
8% (As fast as average)
47,300
What Middle School Teachers Do
Middle school teachers educate students, typically in sixth through eighth grades. They help students build on the fundamentals they learned in elementary school and prepare them for the more difficult curriculum they will face in high school.
Middle school teachers work in public and private schools. They generally work during school hours when students are present and use nights and weekends to prepare lessons and grade papers. Most do not work during the summer.
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019)
High School Teachers
Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
None
None
1,018,700
8% (As fast as average)
76,800
High school teachers help prepare students for life after graduation. They teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market.
High school teachers work in either public or private schools. They typically work during school hours but may also work evenings and weekends to prepare lessons and grade papers. Most do not teach during the summer.
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019)
References
Ramsay, M. (2019). TEA PEIMS Data. Austin, Texas Education Agency.
Texas Education Agency (2019). Texas Academic Performance Report. Austin, Texas Education Agency https://rptsvr1.tea.texas.gov/cgi/sas/broker?_service=marykay&year4=2019&year2=19&_debug=0&single=N&batch=N&app=PUBLIC&title=2019+Texas+Academic+Performance+Reports&_program=perfrept.perfmast.sas&ptype=H&paper=N&level=state&search=campname&namenum=&prgopt=2019%2Ftapr%2Fpaper_tapr.sas.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019). Quick Facts: High School Teachers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm#tab-2.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019). Quick Facts: Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm#tab-2.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019). Quick Facts: Middle School Teachers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm#tab-2.
U.S. Department of Education (2016). Teacher Shortage Areas Nationwide Listing 1990-1991 through 2016-2017. F. Cross. Washington, D.C., U.S. Department of Education Office of Post Secondary Education https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/pol/tsa.pdf.