Becoming a Teacher in Georgia: What You Need to Know

Becoming a teacher can be highly rewarding — from connecting with students and helping shape their futures, to creating inspired spaces for learning, to being creative, to being inspired by learners and fellow teachers.

The U.S. Department of Education recently released a comprehensive report that provided data about shortages of teachers in specific academic areas and locations. The report shows a shortage of teachers in Georgia during 2023-2024, particularly in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. This means those who are interested in pursuing or advancing in a teaching career are likely to have a variety of opportunities to make a difference for Georgia’s students.

But there are some important steps that those interested in becoming a teacher in Georgia must take before starting the career, including earning educational degrees and certifications. As they progress in their careers, teachers have the opportunity to pursue professional advancement and greater earning potential by working toward an advanced education degree.

How to Become a Teacher in Georgia

In Georgia, as in most other states, aspiring teachers must pass a state-administered exam and apply for certification. But those who want to teach in Georgia have several options for achieving the education and experience that they must hold to qualify for state certification.

The path to becoming a teacher in Georgia includes the following steps.

Completing Education

Those who want to become a teacher in Georgia typically must earn a bachelor’s degree. For many teachers, this degree is in an education-related subject such as elementary or secondary education.

Beyond starting with an undergraduate degree in education, there are other ways to fulfill the education and training components of Georgia’s state certification requirements. Following are actions that prospective educators can take to meet these prerequisites.

Earning a Bachelor’s Degree

Most certified teaching positions in Georgia require at least a bachelor’s degree. Colleges and universities offer these degree programs, which must have the approval of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) to qualify for state certification.

Adding a Master’s Degree

Prospective teachers in Georgia who already hold a bachelor’s degree may also pursue an education-related master’s degree while they complete other steps toward becoming a teacher in the state. They may qualify to teach for three years while they work toward this advanced degree.

Completing a Certification-Only Program

Through an initiative called Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (GaTAPP), the state permits aspiring teachers with bachelor’s degrees who meet certain criteria to take non-degree-granting programs in pursuit of certification. Students can teach for three years while completing these educator certification programs.

Transitioning From Military Service

The GaPSC offers provisional certification that helps qualified service members transition to teaching careers. Open to those in the federal Troops to Teachers (TTT) program, which operates in Georgia and other select states, this provisional certification program allows discharged service members who meet certain criteria to teach for three years while finishing the remaining steps toward longer-term, or professional, teaching certification.

Gaining Student-Teaching Experience

Aspiring teachers who complete education degree programs typically must gain teaching experience as part of their degree. This is completed under the supervision of a certified teacher. The student generally gains this experience at an elementary, middle or high school, depending on the grade level they want to teach.

Passing Certification Exams

Anyone who wishes to become a teacher in the state must pass the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) exams that are relevant to their chosen area of teaching.

All prospective teachers must take the test that focuses on content pedagogy, or methods of helping students meet learning objectives. Additionally, teaching candidates must pass grade level- and subject-specific exams, depending on what they will teach. They might be required to take an exam on elementary education or on high school science, for example.

Applying for Certification

After passing the GACE exams for their selected grade level and subject matter, those who want to become a teacher in Georgia must apply for initial certification, designated by an induction certificate. To receive this certification for the first five years of teaching, candidates must meet state standards, including those related to education and testing, and they must pay a fee.

During their induction certification period, teachers can pursue the next step, professional certification, by meeting criteria related to experience, testing and performance.

What You Can Do to Advance Your Teaching Career

Earning state teacher certification is not the last step in career development for educators. For those who already are teaching, career advancement can bring higher salary potential, additional responsibilities and professional growth.

Just as education plays a key role in preparing for a teaching career, it also can be important to achieving career advancement. Some ways that teachers can progress in their careers include the following.

Earning an Advanced Degree

An advanced degree, such as a master’s in education, can help teachers build their knowledge, improve their skills and grow in their career. Additionally, while teachers should check the salary parameters for their own school districts, holding a master’s degree or other higher-level credential often can make them eligible for higher pay.

Taking Leadership Roles

Taking on leadership roles can build teachers’ knowledge and credibility. These opportunities exist in areas such as:

Curriculum development
Mentoring
Technology implementation
Departmental leadership

Accepting responsibility for helping develop instructional skills, plans and strategies shows a commitment to shaping the future of education — and can be a stepping stone to future leadership roles.

Pursuing Tiered Certification

Teachers in Georgia receive certification through a tiered system, so teachers may apply their experience toward opportunities for promotions and additional responsibilities. Qualified experienced teachers can earn the top tier of certification, which is advanced professional or lead professional certification.

Advanced professional certification recognizes outstanding classroom practices.
Lead professional certification designates a classroom teacher who holds leadership roles like mentoring new teachers.

Staying Abreast of Policy

By staying up to date on education policy, teachers can help ensure they are aware of plans that could affect the success of students and instructors. They can work to influence local, state and national policies to put educators on the best path for professional advancement.

How to Specialize Your Teaching Career

Teachers specialize in working with students in certain grades or teaching specific subjects by earning certifications in their selected areas. For most of these roles, becoming a teacher in Georgia requires at least a bachelor’s degree, and teachers then may choose to also pursue graduate degrees.

These graduate degrees — including a Master of Education in Instruction — typically provide a general education track that can help improve teaching skills in any setting. Additionally, they may offer opportunities for teachers to enhance their teaching practices in working with students in their chosen grade or subject.

Elementary Education

Elementary education teachers may work with students through fifth grade. In Georgia, teachers certified to teach elementary education may work with grades starting with pre-kindergarten.

These teachers typically provide education in a variety of subjects — such as math, language arts, social studies and science. The U.S. Department of Education report shows a shortage of Georgia elementary educators who teach these core subjects for 2023-2024.

Middle Grades Education

Middle grades often include those in junior high or intermediate schools. In Georgia, certification for middle grades focuses on grades four through eight. These teachers also specialize in one or more subject including:

Language arts
Math
Reaching
Science
Social science

Among sixth through eighth grades, the U.S. Department of Education reports, Georgia has a shortage of teachers in English, math and social studies in 2023-2024.

P-12 Education

Educators who specialize in preschool through 12th grade education generally focus on a single subject, such as:

Art
Drama
Health and physical education
Music

Teachers with this certification in Georgia may teach all grades.

Secondary Education

Teachers who specialize in secondary education often may teach any of the grades that follow elementary education. In Georgia, for example, secondary certification covers grades six through 12. These teachers focus on academic subjects like:

Biology
Chemistry
Economics
English
French
Spanish
History
Math
Physics

Georgia has a shortage of teachers specializing in English, math and social studies subjects at this grade level in 2023-2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Special Education

Special education teachers work with students who have learning, emotional, mental or physical disabilities. In Georgia, they may earn a general curriculum certification to work with students who have mild disabilities or an adapted curriculum certification to teach students whose disabilities are more severe. Some special education teachers also focus on teaching a specific subject.

The U.S. Department of Education indicates that Georgia faces shortages of special education teachers at all grade levels, from preschool through 12th grade, in 2023-2024.

Begin or Boost Your Teaching Career in Georgia

Becoming a teacher in Georgia can provide a host of benefits, and advancing in an education career can build on those positive outcomes. If you’re interested in an advanced degree to further your teaching career, explore the Augusta University Online Master of Education in Instruction degree program.

With 21 concentrations in a variety of grade levels and subjects, the program is designed to equip teachers to meet the demands of the modern classroom. From promoting inclusivity to improving classroom management, educators can learn the skills to make an impact in students’ lives. Additionally, the flexible, online format of the program makes it easy for working teachers to pursue this advanced degree while managing professional and personal commitments.

Discover how the AU Online Master of Education in Instruction can help you achieve your career goals.

Sources:
Career Reload, “10 Tips for Teachers Looking to Advance Their Careers”
Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support, Troops to Teachers
Georgia Department of Education, Routes to Becoming a Teacher in Georgia
Georgia Professional Standards Commission, Advanced/Lead Professional
Georgia Professional Standards Commission, Steps to Become a Georgia Teacher
Indeed Career Guide, “How to Become a Teacher in 4 Steps”
Indeed Career Guide, “How to Become a Teacher in Georgia (With Helpful FAQs)”
Indeed Career Guide, “How to Choose a Specialization in Education (With Tips)”
Indeed Career Guide, “What Are Advancement Opportunities for Teachers? And 6 to Consider”
U.S. Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas

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