As large numbers of teachers reach retirement age and the preK-12 student population continues to grow, there will be a need for many newly hired teachers in the United States for years to come. There is a particularly high demand for teachers in urban and rural areas; ethnically diverse teachers; and teachers in subject areas such as special education, mathematics, science, and bilingual education or English as a Second Language.

Choosing to become a teacher is a very personal decision. Everyone has their own reasons for pursuing a career in education, but most indicate a desire to make a difference in the lives of children. This desire to shape the future is a noble cause and one that is essential to the wellbeing of our nation’s children, families and society.

Living in Arizona

Arizona is a great place to live and teach. The Grand Canyon State has stunning landscapes, sunsets, mountain ranges, cactus forests, and urban centers. The people are a vibrant blend of cultures and traditions and enjoy activities from boating, hiking and golf to cultural, artistic and community events.

Visit these sites for more information about living in Arizona.

Arizona Department of Commerce
Arizona at Your Service
Arizona Community Pages

Working in Arizona

Although the job market for educators is favorable, finding a job can still be a daunting task. Knowing where to look is often the biggest challenge. Prospective educators can find jobs by perusing local newspaper listings, department of education and school district websites, and attending job fairs. For job fairs, teachers should bring resumes, and be prepared to fill out applications and interview with recruiters on site. NCTE’s Student Resource Websites page links job seekers to a multitude of employment sites.

Salaries

In addition to the rewarding experience of guiding the nation’s future leaders, scholarships for teacher education students, competitive starting salaries and benefits, and tax breaks help teachers make a very good living. In particular, teachers in high need specialty areas (such as special education) often earn higher salaries. Refer to the NCTE Student Resource Websites page for links to a variety of websites comparing teaching salaries around the country.

Financial Aid

Special programs and incentives are in place to help people become, and remain, teachers. Find out what those programs are and how to become a fully supported teacher by downloading Funding Education Beyond High School or ordering a copy from the U.S. Department of Education at 1.800.433.3243.

The federal government administers many different aid programs to help students finance a college education. Pell grants, Stafford Loans and PLUS loans are available to students who qualify, in addition to the Federal Work-Study Program. Programs such as Teach for America and AmeriCorps also offer financial support to those who participate. Find links to financial aid opportunities on the NCTE Scholarships and Student Resource Website pages.

Community Service is another avenue for students to receive assistance financing education. Contact the Corporation for National and Community Service or your chosen college for more information.

Each Arizona college and university also has a financial aid office that can provide students with advice regarding scholarships, grants and loans. Some scholarships and grants are offered specifically to students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in teacher education in order to address the need for teachers in Arizona.