Becoming a Teacher in Wyoming, WY
Wyoming, ranking 50th in population, has 85,670 public students. There are 393 public schools, broken down into 210 elementary, 76 middle, and 76 high schools. Wyoming ranks 16th in average combined SAT and ACT scores (the two most common national standardized tests), with an average SAT score of 1001 and ACT score of 21.4. Wyoming has a graduation rate of 76% which is about the national average.
Wyoming Teacher Certification Requirements:
- Initial Teaching Certificate (valid for 3 years).
- Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university.
- Complete an approved Wyoming Teacher Preparation Program .
- Pass the Wyoming and US Constitution exams.
- Take and pass the Praxis I: Basic Skills Test.
- Take and pass the Praxis II: Content Subject Matter test in appropriate field/s.
- Fulfill state fingerprinting requirements.
- Pass a criminal background check through the state and FBI.
- Complete the certification application packet, including transcripts, certifications, and references.
- Pay any applicable fees.
Some districts may require additional training and certification.
Wyoming Teaching Employment Outlook:
Since Wyoming has the lowest state population in the US, the amount of new teachers being hired is considerably less then other states. This does not however mean they are not hiring at all, and with one of the highest salaries and salary increase percentage, teaching in Wyoming is an attractive position. The state is currently looking for highly qualified teachers, a status that can be obtained by things like gaining National Board Certification or receiving higher degrees of qualification. The teaching industry as a whole has been more stable then other job markets, and teachers in Wyoming have faired relatively well even through the recession. As in any state, it is a good idea to have a Masters or PhD as that is certainly an eye catcher for prospective employers, as well as providing increased salary opportunities.
Wyoming Teachers Salary Expectation:
Wyoming is ranked 11th in the nation when it comes to teacher salaries, the average salary being $54,916 in 2009-2010 (according to bls.gov). In the last three years teachers in Wyoming have seen an average 16.78% wage increase. Teachers in Wyoming make above the average state income and have seen good budget additions the last few years. Additional salary can be made by receiving National Board Certification or getting higher degrees of qualification