Become An Art Teacher

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Working As An Art Teacher

Training and Teaching Others
Thinking Creatively
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Coaching and Developing Others
Documenting/Recording Information

Deal with People
Make Decisions
Stressful
$46,133
Average Salary

What Does An Art Teacher Do

An Art Teacher is responsible for teaching knowledge and skills in art, such as drawing, painting, lettering, and art history. They evaluate each student’s performance and growth in knowledge, and prepare progress reports.

How To Become An Art Teacher

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must have a bachelor’s degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.

Education

All states require public kindergarten and elementary school teachers to have at least a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Some states also require kindergarten and elementary school teachers to major in a content area, such as math or science. They typically enroll in their college’s teacher preparation program and also take classes in education and child psychology in addition to those required by their major.

In teacher education programs, future teachers learn how to present information to young students and how to work with young students of varying abilities and backgrounds. Programs typically include fieldwork, such as student teaching. For information about teacher preparation programs in your state, visit teach.org.

Some states require all teachers to earn a master’s degree after receiving their teaching certification.

Private schools typically seek kindergarten and elementary school teachers who have a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

All states require teachers in public schools to be licensed or certified. Those who teach in private schools are generally not required to be licensed. Most states require teachers to pass a background check.

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers are typically certified to teach early childhood grades, which are usually preschool through third grade, or elementary school grades, which are usually first through sixth grades or first through eighth grades.

Requirements for certification vary by state. In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree, they are required to complete a teacher preparation program and supervised experience in teaching, typically gained through student teaching. Some states require a minimum grade point average. States often require candidates to pass a general teaching certification test, as well as a test that demonstrates their knowledge of the subject they will teach. Although kindergarten and elementary school teachers typically do not teach only a single subject, they may be required to pass a content area test to earn their certification. For information on certification requirements in your state, visit teach.org.

Teachers are frequently required to complete annual professional development classes to keep their license. Some states require teachers to complete a master’s degree after receiving their certification.

All states offer an alternative route to certification for people who already have a bachelor’s degree but lack the education courses required for certification. Some alternative certification programs allow candidates to begin teaching immediately after graduation, under the supervision of an experienced teacher. These programs cover teaching methods and child development. After they complete the program, candidates are awarded full certification. Other programs require students to take classes in education before they can teach. Students may be awarded a master’s degree after completing one of these programs.

Training

In order to receive certification, teachers need to undergo a period of fieldwork, commonly referred to as student teaching. During student teaching, they work with a mentor teacher and get experience teaching students in a classroom setting. The amount of time required varies by state.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Teachers must collaborate with teacher assistants and special education teachers. In addition, they need to discuss students’ needs with parents and administrators.

Creativity. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must plan lessons that engage young students, adapting the lessons to different learning styles.

Patience. Working with students of different abilities and backgrounds can be difficult. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must respond with patience when students struggle with material.

Physical stamina. Working with kindergarten and elementary-aged students can be tiring. Teachers need to be able to physically, mentally, and emotionally keep up with the students.

Resourcefulness. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers need to be able to explain difficult concepts in terms that young students can understand. In addition, they must be able to get students engaged in learning and adapt their lessons to meet students’ needs.

Advancement

Experienced teachers can advance to serve as mentors to newer teachers or to become lead teachers. In these roles, they help less experienced teachers to improve their teaching skills.

With additional education or certification, teachers may become school counselors, school librarians, or instructional coordinators. Some become assistant principals or principals, both of which generally require additional schooling in education administration or leadership.

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Art Teacher jobs

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Art Teacher Demographic

Gender

Female
76.7%
Male
20.7%
Unknown
2.6%

Ethnicity

White
79.2%
Hispanic or Latino
10.5%
Asian
7.9%
Unknown
1.8%
Black or African American
0.6%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
48.5%
French
10.8%
Italian
7.3%
German
5.2%
Chinese
4.8%
Mandarin
3.1%
Japanese
3.1%
Korean
2.9%
Portuguese
2.3%
Hebrew
2.3%
Russian
1.9%
Arabic
1.7%
Hindi
1.5%
Cantonese
1.0%
Greek
1.0%
Polish
0.8%
Tagalog
0.6%
Turkish
0.4%
Bosnian
0.4%
Norwegian
0.4%

Art Teacher

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Art Teacher Typical Career Paths

Average Length of Employment

Art Educator 4.3 years
Elementary Art Teacher 4.2 years
Visual Arts Teacher 4.0 years
Teacher 3.8 years
Fine Arts Teacher 3.7 years
Middle School Art Teacher 3.6 years
Art Teacher 3.0 years
Art Instructor 2.9 years
Health Teacher 2.8 years
Peer Teacher 2.6 years
Guest Teacher 2.4 years

Art Teacher Education

Schools

Savannah College of Art and Design
9.5%
University of Phoenix
7.5%
Lesley University
6.3%
Virginia Commonwealth University
6.1%
Temple University
5.7%
Academy of Art University
5.2%
New York University
5.0%
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
5.0%
Fashion Institute of Technology
5.0%
Florida State University
4.9%
Syracuse University
4.5%
Wayne State University
4.5%
Grand Canyon University
4.2%
Pratt Institute-Main
4.0%
School of Visual Arts
3.8%
University of Houston
3.8%
Montclair State University
3.8%
Towson University
3.8%
University of the Arts
3.6%
Rochester Institute of Technology
3.6%

Majors

Degrees

Bachelors
40.1%
Masters
32.9%
Other
16.4%
Certificate
5.1%
Associate
3.6%
Doctorate
1.2%
Diploma
0.4%
License
0.2%

Art Teacher

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Real Art Teacher Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Art Teacher	Great Neck Center for Visual & Performing Arts	Great Neck, NY	Jan 17, 2011	$83,480
Art Teacher	Montessori School of Manhattan, LLC.	New York, NY	Oct 01, 2012	$83,480
Outreach Art Teacher	Great Neck Center for Visual & Performing Arts, In	Great Neck, NY	Jan 17, 2011	$83,480
Art Specialist (Teacher)	The British International School of New York	New York, NY	Apr 01, 2013	$80,990
Art Teacher	German International School New York	White Plains, NY	Mar 08, 2016	$76,821
Art Teacher	Brooklyn Friends School	New York, NY	Jun 17, 2013	$71,100
Art Teacher and CAS Coordinator	EF International Academy, Inc.	Tarrytown, NY	May 25, 2012	$65,000
Art Teacher	Baltimore Montessori Inc.	Baltimore, MD	Aug 25, 2015	$64,801
Upper School Technology Integrator and Digital Arts Teacher	Brooklyn Friends School	New York, NY	Sep 11, 2015	$64,740
Secondary School IB Art Teacher	Atlanta International School	Atlanta, GA	Feb 02, 2016	$62,500 - $65,500
Music and Art Teacher	Linden Akademia, Inc.		Oct 01, 2013	$48,557
Illustration and Graphic Arts Teacher	Icon Art & Design Academy	Irvine, CA	Sep 10, 2013	$48,147
Art Teacher	Spotcolor Fullerton	Fullerton, CA	Sep 15, 2013	$47,250
Art Teacher	Academe of The Oaks	Decatur, GA	Jan 15, 2016	$46,830
Art Teacher	Rolling Hills Academy, Inc.	San Antonio, TX	Oct 01, 2011	$46,430
Art Teacher (Elementary)	Special School District No. 1	Minneapolis, MN	Aug 12, 2012	$46,358
Art Teacher	Riverwalk Education Foundation, Inc.	San Antonio, TX	May 31, 2016	$46,000
Drama and Arts Integration Teacher	Creative Minds International Public Charter School	Washington, DC	Sep 18, 2016	$45,230 - $56,972
Art Teacher	Phil Art Studio & Sci Toefl In Ny	New York, NY	Aug 18, 2014	$45,142
Art Teacher	Phil Art Stuio & Sci Toefl In Ny	New York, NY	Sep 02, 2015	$45,142
Art Teacher	Phil Art Studio & Sci Toefl In Ny	New York, NY	Dec 01, 2014	$45,142
Art Teacher	Little Picasso, LLC	Annandale, VA	Sep 26, 2013	$45,100
Art Teacher	Phil Art Studio Sci Toefl Inc.	Fort Lee, NJ	Dec 01, 2011	$45,000
Art Teacher	Phil Art Studio Sci Toefl Inc.	Fort Lee, NJ	Jan 06, 2012	$45,000
Spanish and Art Teacher	Henson Valley Montessori Academy	Fort Washington, MD	Mar 10, 2011	$44,770

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Top Skills for An Art Teacher

Top Art Teacher Skills

Weekly Lesson Plans
Classroom Management
Art Curriculum

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Developed weekly lesson plans that incorporated differentiated instruction that used a variety of office programs including Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Word.
Practiced effective classroom management in an inclusive learning environment.
Established art curriculum fitted to state standards, implemented art curriculum, student art displays several times per year.
Teach students grades K-2nd art history, famous artists, and how to use different mediums used in art.
Provided sequential, visual art classes in all media for K-6, including special needs children.