Becoming a School Teacher in Wisconsin, WI

Wisconsin, ranking 20th in population, has 879,825 public students. There are 2,285 public schools, broken down into 1,239 elementary, 388 middle, and 514 high schools. Wisconsin ranks 2nd in average combined SAT and ACT scores (the two most common national standardized tests), with an average SAT score of 1073 and ACT score of 22.3. Wisconsin has a graduation rate of 89.6% which is well above the national average.

Wisconsin Certification Requirements:

  • Initial Teaching Certificate (valid for 3 years)
  • Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university
  • Complete an approved Wisconsin Teacher Preparation Program
  • Complete Conduct and Competency Review
  • 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.

Teaching Employment Outlook in Wisconsin:

Coming out of the recession has allowed Wisconsin to start hiring new teachers. With one of the highest graduation rates and average standardized testing scores, the state is particularly interested in teachers with the ability and certifications to continue this trend. As with most other states, Wisconsin is also looking to expand its education in technology, so any coursework in areas such as Computer Science is a definite plus. The teaching industry as a whole has been more stable then other job markets, and teachers in Wisconsin 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.

Wisconsin Teaching Salary Expectation:

Wisconsin is ranked 24th in the nation when it comes to teacher salaries, the average salary being $48,743 in 2009-2010 (according to bls.gov). In the last three years teachers in Wisconsin have seen an average 3.55% wage increase. Teachers in Wisconsin 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.