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Teaching in Kansas Snapshot
$52,050
Secondary School Teacher Salary
$50,650
Elementary School Teacher Salary
$10,961
Public School Spending Per Student
All career and salary information pulled from theBureau of Labor Statistics2019 pupil expenditure information was provided byGoverning
KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson Street
Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 296-3201
University of Southern California (USC)
USC Rossier School of Education
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Master of Arts in Teaching online
The Master of Arts in Teaching online (MAT online) from the USC Rossier School of Education prepares aspiring teachers for diverse and high-needs educational settings and can be completed in as few as 12 months.
- Fieldwork placement
- Complete in 12-36 months
- GRE scores not required
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Steps to Becoming a Teacher in Kansas
Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. Teach.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. (Last update: 04/26/2020)
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Prerequisite Coursework in Kansas
All states require that prospective teachers have at least a Bachelor’s degree and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program to receive certification. Some states also have specific course and credit-hour requirements.
Teacher education programs generally consist of two elements—curricula and fieldwork. Curricula generally include instruction on teaching fundamental skills, pedagogy (the science of teaching) and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. Fieldwork often includes field observations, internships, student teaching or a combination of all three. Check with your teacher preparation program or theDepartment of Education for more information about specific requirements.
Kansas does not list specific course or credit hour requirements, but every college or university teacher preparation program will have requirements of its own. Contact your teacher preparation program or the Department of Education for more information.
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Kansas Teacher Certification Programs
Teacher Certification Programs can be taken online or on-site. They typically include an educational theory and classroom skills seminar and a fieldwork component of student teaching in the area. A list of accredited teacher preparation programs in Kansas can be found on the Kansas Department of EducationPreparation Programs and Institutionspage.
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Required Tests for Kansas
Most states require tests to show competency in Basic Skills, as well as in the desired Subject Area. Kansas requires only thePraxis II: Subject Tests in your specialty areaand thePraxis II PLT (Principles of Learning and Teaching)test.
You can learn more about the Praxis exams by visiting Teach.coms’Guide to the Praxis Examsandread more about teacher certification tests on Teach.com.
Initial Teaching Certifications
To earn your Kansas teaching credential you will have to complete the appropriate amount of undergraduate coursework and standardized tests, as well as an accredited certification program. Kansas issues three types of license: Initial (for a teacher’s first 2 years), Professional (requiring a performance assessment and valid for 5 years), and Accomplished (valid for 10 years; teachers must have achieved National Board Certification® from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards). Visit the Kansas Department of EducationTeacher Licensure and Accreditation page to learn more about getting your Kansas teaching credential.
Learn more about getting yourteaching credentialon Teach.com.
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Harvard University
Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning
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Higher Education Teaching Certificate
Deepen your understanding of higher-order teaching practices and broaden your skill set while creating a unique and inclusive strategy for your specific context.
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Alternative Certification in Kansas
Kansas offers aRestricted Teaching License Alternative Pathway, designed to help career professionals with the appropriate prerequisite coursework easily transition to teaching. The restricted license allows professionals to teach in secondary level content areas or at all levels in certain subject areas while working towards applying for a full Kansas teaching license. Veterans may also be eligible for theTroops to Teachers program.
- Kansas Department of Education
- Kansas Department of Education–Teacher Licensure and Accreditation
- Kansas Public Employees Retirement System
- Kansas Teaching Jobs
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Transferring Your Certification
Certification Reciprocity in Kansas
Interstate reciprocity is a program that allows teachers certified in one state to teach in another state. To find out which other state teaching licenses can be used in Kansas, visit the Teach.comreciprocity page. Or, for more specific questions about your situation, contact theKansas Department of Education.
To find out what other state teaching licenses can be used in Kansas, check out ourTeacher Certification Reciprocitypage on Teach.com.
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Jobs, Benefits, and Opportunities for Teachers in Kansas
Kansas Teaching Jobs
The Kansas Education Employment Board maintains theKansas Teaching Jobswebsite. It provides teachers with up-to-date open teaching positions, allowing them to apply online.
Learn more about finding ateaching jobon Teach.com.
Kansas Teacher Salary and Incentives
According to 2019 data from theBureau of Labor Statistics, the average teacher in Kansas makes about $52,000 per year. Salaries in Kansas vary by county and school district. You can find more information on Kansas teacher salaries on theKansas Department of Education website.
Learn more aboutteacher salarieson Teach.com.
Kansas Teacher Benefits and Retirement
TheKansas Public Employees Retirement System(KPERS) was established in 1961 for all Kansas public employees, which includes teachers. Depending on what tier their retirement plan falls into, members may retire as early as 55 with reduced benefits if they have at least 10 years of service,or for full benefits at age 62 with 10 years of service or age 65 with 1 year of service. Kansas offers teachers other benefits such as health care, dental care, annual and sick leave, surviving spouse support and job promotion opportunities.
Learn more aboutbenefits for teacherson Teach.com.
The United States Department of Education defines a Teacher Shortage Area (TSA) as a subject matter or grade level within a state in which there is an inadequate supply of elementary or secondary teachers. The shortage may be caused by teaching positions that are unfilled or are filled by teachers who have temporary certification or teach in an academic subject other than their area of preparation. According to a report by theUS Department of Education, Kansas has the following Teacher Shortage Areas:
- Academically Advanced
- Special Education
- Psychologist
- Physical Therapy
- Social Worker
- Orientation Mobility Specialist
Financial Aid in Kansas
Kansas residents are eligible for theApplegate/Jackson/Parks Future Teacher Scholarship,as well as theTEACH Grant, which gives financial aid to students in return for an agreement to teach in a high-need school.
Learn more abouthow to finance your Master’s degreeon Teach.com.
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Career Advancement
Professional Development for Kansas Teachers
Kansas’ Professional Development plans include goals to continually educate teachers and ensure they have the most current knowledge and skills to best educate students. Kansas’ Professional Development goals and ideas are explained more thoroughly on the Kansas Department of EducationProfessional Learningpage.
In order to renew a professional license, teachers must complete 120 Professional Development Points if they hold an advanced degree and 160 Professional Development points without an advanced degree. In addition, the Kansas State Board of Education adopted the Learning Forward Standards for Professional Learning which replace the NSDC Standards for Staff Development. More information on these standards can be found atLearning Forward.
Benefits of a Master’s Degree in Kansas
It is no longer enough to just have years of experience for teaching. After No Child Left Behind and other academic quantification measures, the careers of teachers increasingly depend on their results in the classroom. A master’s degree in the field of education will give you more educational theory and classroom skills, as well as more hands-on student teaching experience with a mentor. After a Master’s program, you may be able to achieve better results in the classroom and may have more job security and thepotential for higher pay.
Learn more about the benefits of a Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master of Education on Teach.com.
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University of Southern California (USC)
USC Rossier School of Education
info
Master of Arts in Teaching online
The Master of Arts in Teaching online (MAT online) from the USC Rossier School of Education prepares aspiring teachers for diverse and high-needs educational settings and can be completed in as few as 12 months.
- Fieldwork placement
- Complete in 12-36 months
- GRE scores not required
Harvard University
Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning
info
Higher Education Teaching Certificate
Deepen your understanding of higher-order teaching practices and broaden your skill set while creating a unique and inclusive strategy for your specific context.
infoSPONSORED
Last Updated May 2020
