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Job outlook for professional educators in the United States
Professional educator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected professional educator job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 60,200 new jobs for professional educators are projected over the next decade.
Professional educator salaries have increased 9% for professional educators in the last 5 years.
There are over 77,336 professional educators currently employed in the United States.
There are 52,449 active professional educator job openings in the US.
The average professional educator salary is $50,068.
Are professional educator jobs in demand?
Professional Educator job and salary trends over time
Professional Educator jobs over time
Professional Educator job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 77,336 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 79,406 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 83,224 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 82,089 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 81,982 | 0.02% |
Average professional educator salary over time
Professional Educator salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $50,068 | $24.07 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $49,025 | $23.57 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $47,842 | $23.00 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $46,963 | $22.58 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $45,845 | $22.04 | +1.7% |
Professional Educator jobs by state
Most common states for professional educators
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | 961,939 | 181 | 19% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 118 | 16% |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 114 | 16% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 819 | 15% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 80 | 14% |
| 6 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 170 | 13% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 79 | 13% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 788 | 11% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 622 | 11% |
| 10 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 351 | 11% |
| 11 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 113 | 11% |
| 12 | Alaska | 739,795 | 83 | 11% |
| 13 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 661 | 10% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 129 | 10% |
| 15 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 89 | 10% |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 545 | 9% |
| 17 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 157 | 9% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 100 | 9% |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,043 | 8% |
| 20 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 456 | 8% |
Most common cities for professional educators
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silver Spring | 2 | 3% | $74,484 |
| 2 | Richmond | 1 | 3% | $41,179 |
| 3 | Troy | 2 | 2% | $53,989 |
| 4 | Lafayette | 1 | 1% | $40,848 |
| 5 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $46,051 |
| 6 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $74,773 |
| 7 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $41,657 |
| 8 | Miami | 1 | 0% | $43,747 |
| 9 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $60,978 |
Professional Educator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of professional educator experts
University of Maine
Texas Tech University
University of California - San Diego
Georgia College and State University
Auburn University Main Campus
Saginaw Valley State University
The University of Vermont
King's College
University of Guam
Aultman College
Business Specialist
High Point University
Washington University in St. Louis
Arizona State University
Bethel University
Cedar Crest College
Cabrini University
Ashland University
California State University, Chico
New York University
Dr. William Nichols Ph.D.
Professor, Literacy, Language and CultureUniversity of Maine
Education
What general advice would you give to a Professional Educator?
Dr. William Nichols Ph.D.: As these new graduates begin to feel included in the culture of the school, as they become more comfortable with the curriculum, as they gain a better understanding of their learners' strengths and weaknesses, as they develop a management plan that works for them, and as they get better at their pacing and time management, they will transition into a master teacher and an excellent professional in the field of education.
What Professional Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. William Nichols Ph.D.: Hi William. Just following up. Would you, or can you recommend a professor from University of Maine, to provide answers for our expert panel on starting a career with a degree in Education? We need someone who can give insights into what it's like entering the workforce this year.
What will help Professional Educators increase their earning potential?
Dr. William Nichols Ph.D.: Future graduating education majors can expect to immediately enter the 'survival phase of teaching.' Up to this point, they have had university faculty, university mentors, collaborating teacher mentors, and their peer candidates all supporting their development into excellent professionals in the field of education. However, upon the first minute of the first day of teaching, they will enter the survival phase and, in many cases, they will fight for personal and professional existence.
What general advice would you give to a Professional Educator?
Dr. Valerie Paton Ph.D.: Leaders who know how to lead others to higher levels of understanding and performance tend to enjoy the satisfaction of being generative and investing in the next generation of learners and leaders. But leadership has a cost in every sector and those who want to take on these roles invest deeply of themselves in others, so healthy life balance is always important.
What Professional Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Valerie Paton Ph.D.: Education is always a great profession to pursue because we have a 'learning society'. Individuals who know how to teach diverse learners are invaluable in all sectors of our society. As more corporations integrate learning goals as essential components to achieve their strategic goals, more opportunities are available for those who are expert educators, trainers, and facilitators. So education programs are transferrable across many types of leadership roles and are generating higher levels of compensation.
What will help Professional Educators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Valerie Paton Ph.D.: There are many different types of learning leadership roles across the business sectors in the U.S. and globally. Depending upon the nature of the role, different types of skill sets are needed. If the employee is leading the learning enterprise in a global corporation and the students are employees who need specific training and professional development to achieve their goals, then the 'educator' is using teaching, facilitation, and collaboration skills to support the delivery and application of specific skills, knowledge, and attitudes. While we most often think of 'Educators' as serving as K-12 teachers, the learning leadership needs of all economic sectors are creating increased numbers of employment opportunities for education of adult learners.
What general advice would you give to a Professional Educator?
Chris Halter: Like any field, education is changing and adapting to the needs of today. Anyone in education must have strong digital literacy and be able to fluidly integrate the use of technology into their work. Along with that we need data literacy. The ability to understand data and to make decisions based on the data will help guide our decisions. Cultural literacy and competency is also crucial in any social, community-based field. To truly serve others, we must understand the strengths that come from each community.
What Professional Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Chris Halter: My best advice for any new professional is to find yourself a mentor. Even better, have several mentors. Depending on the areas that you want to grow or excel, there may be a different mentor who could guide you towards those goals. We should also acknowledge that education is a social field. We are in service of others and should always strive to recognize the communities that we serve. Learn, be curious, and understand the values, goals, and strengths that can be found in our communities.
What will help Professional Educators increase their earning potential?
Chris Halter: Professional mobility and compensation in education is largely based on education, professional learning, and experience. This makes being a lifelong learner an advantage in education. If someone is curious, enjoys learning new skills, likes to explore new ideas then they will succeed in this field.
What general advice would you give to a Professional Educator?
Bailey McAlister PhD: Maximizing salary potential is a valuable point that I unfortunately don't have much positive experience in as a college teacher. I always ask for salary increase whenever I can. When I start a job, when I've been at a job a year, when I get another job offer, etc. It doesn't hurt to ask. I guess I'd advise new graduates to note quantities of money, sales, funding, etc. on their resumes. Showing in numbers how much you've grown is important.
What Professional Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Bailey McAlister PhD: I would advise anyone starting a new career in academia to stay humble. Gain comprehensive awareness of the systems and structures around you. Notice opportunities for professional development. Think of things as experiences rather than tasks. Ask questions. Learn people’s stories. Really listen. Practice rhetorical listening.
What will help Professional Educators increase their earning potential?
Bailey McAlister PhD: I think that any skills rooted in confident experimentation will be increasingly valuable in the near future. For example, you don’t need to be an AI expert, but you should be curious about AI innovations and open to experimenting with AI in your work. Technical knowledge can be learned. But there's real value in being confident to experiment, make mistakes, learn, practice, reflect.
Andrew Pendola Ph.D.
Associate Professor | Program CoordinatorAuburn University Main Campus
Education
What general advice would you give to a Professional Educator?
Andrew Pendola Ph.D.: Hi Andrew. Just following up. Would you, or can you recommend a professor from Auburn University Main Campus, to provide answers for our expert panel on starting a career with a degree in Education? We need someone who can give insights into what it's like entering the workforce this year.
What Professional Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Andrew Pendola Ph.D.: Hi Alex, I’d be happy to chat with you — my area is in labor markets for educators—so recruitment, hiring, retention, etc.
What will help Professional Educators increase their earning potential?
Andrew Pendola Ph.D.: Thanks! We've found we get better responses over email than the phone because it gives you some time to think about it. We were hoping you could answer the following questions:
Dr. Deborah Smith
Professor of Teacher EducationSaginaw Valley State University
Department of Teacher Education - Middle/Secondary Education
What skills stand out on Professional Educator resumes?
Dr. Deborah Smith: Actual classroom experience stands out, as do other interactions with students related to the position sought. So, for example, working with Special Olympics helps those seeking a SPED position. Coaching experience helps, especially if it's with students the same age as will be taught. Tutoring stands out, as do technological skills that can be highlighted with the portfolio submitted for the position.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Professional Educators?
Dr. Deborah Smith: Technological skills have become highly prized, especially since the pandemic, but even before that, it was clear that a teacher who can seamlessly fuse technology into lessons is more likely to engage students. In addition, the ability to organize, analyze, and use data to improve student learning is respected as a skill worthy of developing. The more action-research-oriented a teacher, the better.
What skills will help Professional Educators earn the most?
Dr. Deborah Smith: Some districts pay more than others, but that's not based on any particular skills. Leadership skills are likely to lead to higher pay if one chooses to move into administration. I was told today by a student that $75/hour was paid for those willing to teach summer school in 2021, so another way to increase pay for teachers is to be flexible enough to teach beyond the school day.
What soft skills should all Professional Educators possess?
Dr. Deborah Smith: The characteristics of effective teachers include organizational skills, clarity, content knowledge, and 'dynamic presence' according to a 2014 study by Standford. Of these, I think all but 'content knowledge' qualifies as a soft skill. When we talk about this in class, students add compassion/empathy and a sense of humor quite often, but we agree that the research has it right. Soft skills are crucial for building a classroom community where teachers and students support each other and feel a sense of belonging, thus allowing for students to take risks necessary to learn. The MDE recently released new professional standards that emphasize social-emotional learning, making it clear that soft skills are valued in education.
Ellen Baker
Director of Educator Licensure ProgramsThe University of Vermont
Education Department
What skills will help Professional Educators earn the most?
Ellen Baker: If you are talking about money, the above skills will be crucial, and then each state and school has its own salary schedule. In general, however, if a student has a dual endorsement in special ed, ELL, coaching, then they will possibly earn more. If a candidate has a master's degree, then they will earn more.
What skills stand out on Professional Educator resumes?
Ellen Baker: In general, employers are interested in the breadth and frequency of authentic field experiences where the candidates have the opportunity to align theory and practice. They also look for extra activities that the candidates have participated in after school, during the summers, and on weekends that enhance their skills and knowledge. These experiences are evidence of initiative and dedication to the profession.
What soft skills should all Professional Educators possess?
Ellen Baker: There are many soft skills that we encourage and measure through our Professional Attributes and Dispositions assessment. These are skills like communication (ability to articulate their teaching philosophy and experiences), initiative, collaborative skills, and independence. They also look for candidates who truly enjoy working with ALL students and have a growth mindset and a strengths-based perspective. They believe that all students can learn if the instruction is appropriate to the needs of the students. These often come through in interviews.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Professional Educators?
Ellen Baker: Working with technology as an instructional tool as well as record keeping and gathering of data. Candidates need to be able to look at data regarding a student and utilize that data to inform their instruction.
Dara Soljaga Ph.D.
Associate Dean of EducationKing's College
Education Department
What skills stand out on Professional Educator resumes?
Dara Soljaga Ph.D.: I find compassion, communication, collaboration, and accountability stand out the most for me on educator resumes.
What soft skills should all Professional Educators possess?
Dara Soljaga Ph.D.: In addition to those stand-out skills, I value leadership qualities, problem-solving abilities, and a growth mindset as other important soft skills.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Professional Educators?
Dara Soljaga Ph.D.: Important hard or technical skills, complementing the aforementioned repertoire, include proficiencies in supporting learning through the creation of authentic and meaningful learning experiences and assessments, the ability to facilitate engaging discussions, and the wherewithal to employ these skills in both face-to-face and online learning environments.
What skills will help Professional Educators earn the most?
Dara Soljaga Ph.D.: In my opinion, demonstrating mastery of the aforementioned skills in flexible and relevant ways will help educators earn the most.
Matthew Limtiaco
Assistant Professor of Elementary EducationUniversity of Guam
School of Education
What soft skills should all Professional Educators possess?
Matthew Limtiaco: Empathy, patience, and a fearless capacity to critically examine the nature of our education practices (both as an individual practitioner and as an active member of a field that is in constant evolution). Education priorities have prioritized job placement, skills demanded by industry, and individual attainment. Despite warnings regarding impending climate change, increased social disparity, and a reemergence of authoritarian government systems globally, our education priorities have shifted with minimal effort to meet these challenges since I entered the field over two decades ago.
COVID has shined a spotlight on flaws and opportunities teachers might seize. Our field is uniquely positioned to address these challenges by influencing measurable shifts in human behavior so that our children are poised to adjust social behavior, governmental policy, and economic trends. We have an opportunity to celebrate communal success over individual gain, critical examination over immediate and convenient answers, and global mindedness over xenophobia. Many say there is no going back to the way it was before COVID. In the case of education, that might not be such a bad thing.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Professional Educators?
Matthew Limtiaco: I acknowledge the enhanced suite of tools offered in an online setting can be alluring. However, I've also noticed some trends that warrant concern. Many of the "free" products being produced in the tech industry have a hidden cost that consumers often pay without hesitation or without knowledge. The personal privacy of students, families, and teachers should be considered before steps are taken by schools or individuals to streamline classroom objectives using apps that require personal data to be divulged. This may not seem like a technical skill, but understanding the motivations behind creating free apps is critical in deciding whether those products are appropriate in the classroom.
Schools using Facebook Pages rather than investing an internal web-page, teachers feeling pressure to join multiple WhatsApp groups with both peers and parents, and the measurement of student success through apps like ClassDojo have not, in my opinion, garnered the kind of scrutiny we once placed on items like student files. The access to personal privacy of teachers, students, and our families when adopting these products far exceeds the information we once kept sealed. We can adopt technology and benefit from our connections without compromising our right to privacy.
Emerging teachers benefit greatly from measures that help them to partner with students and parents in gauging success, measure accomplishment, and support intrinsic motivations. Many of these skills can be found offline or by using platforms that minimize personal data collection. Hosting frequent parent meetings or sending regular briefings of class themes and directions expands your team to include those parents enthusiastic about engaging in school efforts. An ability to showcase growth in an accessible way to students and parents through portfolios helps sharpen efforts toward success. Partnering with community members, designing place-based units of inquiry, and promoting project-based learning can dramatically enhance the intrinsic motivations of students who see the relevance of their endeavors.
What skills will help Professional Educators earn the most?
Matthew Limtiaco: Having a solid understanding of pay grade systems and how to advance in your region or state can help you strategically utilize teacher workshops, training, and university courses to increase your take-home pay. I know teachers who have methodically enhanced their CVs and are now living with wages that are far higher than those who haven't prioritized this. Finding a good mentor as soon as you are assigned to a school will help you identify the most lucrative path. Those interested in leadership positions should also note that administrative jobs tend to offer higher wages. If you've been in the field long enough to take on the responsibility of leading others, don't hesitate to become a leader and help teachers inspire and support our kids.
What skills stand out on Professional Educator resumes?
Matthew Limtiaco: An appreciation for the diversity in any given classroom is critical, along with the skills and commitment toward meeting the needs of students who come from a myriad of family backgrounds, social settings, belief systems, economic statuses', and histories of access and familiarity with our education system.
Each student brings with them a completely different set of skills, interests, fears, and struggles. Our capacity for empathy, honesty, and resourcefulness directly translates to student and classroom experience. Teachers reach students when they have the tools to connect with each student, show them that they are caring adults, and help each student realize their potential through measurable development in content areas as well as soft skills.
This is true online or in face-to-face settings. Online classrooms teachers are maximizing the reduced window of interaction with students by streamlining the delivery and assessment of content. No doubt, this priority is influenced by a culture of results-oriented teaching based on narrow measures. This compromise is made with a cost. Efforts toward social-emotional support should be increased in online classes, while content expectations should be relaxed during perhaps the most stressful time our young ones and their families have faced in their lives. Any absence of empathy and soft skill development in online settings is a product of decades-old priorities placed on high-stakes tests based on national standards.
Teachers entering the field should have a strong understanding of the need for social-emotional support and an ability to meet the needs of diverse students.
What skills stand out on Professional Educator resumes?
Jo Ann Donnenwirth: When reviewing resumes, it is always important to view clinical experiences, specialty areas, technical skills (including educational platforms), online teaching, and various course content delivery methods.
What soft skills should all Professional Educators possess?
Jo Ann Donnenwirth: Soft skills are important in every professional career. The soft skills that I find most important and look for are enthusiasm to keep listeners' attention, approachability to help answer questions, confidence, and integrity in their work.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Professional Educators?
Jo Ann Donnenwirth: Basic management skills such as organization, time management, communication skills, as well as technical skills on various platforms, and the willingness to learn new technology are important. In the current educational environment, these skills are the most important.
What skills will help Professional Educators earn the most?
Jo Ann Donnenwirth: Soft skills and hard skills are essential in every career. Faculty at Aultman College have a set wage scale unless they have a master's or doctorate. We are always looking for master's and doctorate-prepared faculty, and those who obtain those types of degrees earn higher wages than the nursing support staff.
Thomas Matula Ph.D.
Professor of Business AdministrationBusiness Specialist
Business Administration Department
What skills stand out on Professional Educator resumes?
Thomas Matula Ph.D.: The ability to handle the technology and software for remote work. Students who have taken multiple courses online will have an advantage as successful remote learning requires the same skills as successful remote work.
What soft skills should all Professional Educators possess?
Thomas Matula Ph.D.: The ability to communicate in a digital setting and the discipline to work remotely. Also, remote work requires a very different mindset. Instead of focusing on inputs, like hours at a desk, the focus shifts to output, the number of completed tasks accomplished each week. This is going to be especially hard for managers who are used to counting inputs and not measuring outputs.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Professional Educators?
Thomas Matula Ph.D.: Understanding the Apps used and being able to use the devices needed for remote work.
What skills will help Professional Educators earn the most?
Thomas Matula Ph.D.: The skills to be a successful remote worker and to manage a team remotely. This means having familiarity with both the technology and the habits of successful remote workers.
Dr. Shirley Disseler
Associate Professor of Elementary & Middle Grades Education, Education Coordinator: STEM Education Program and LEGO Education TrainerHigh Point University
Education Department
What skills stand out on Professional Educator resumes?
Dr. Shirley Disseler: Internships and Practicum experiences where pre-service teachers have spent time in elementary classrooms with veteran mentor teachers are some of the most important things on the resume. Another thing that stands out is informal education experiences such as camps, after-school care, and community involvement.
What soft skills should all Professional Educators possess?
Dr. Shirley Disseler: -Leadership skills (showing leadership in organizations during college and participating in school events during student teaching)
-Teamwork (The ability to work with other teachers, accept constructive feedback)
-Cultural Competence (Being culturally aware and sensitive to the curriculum from a cultural perspective)
What hard/technical skills are most important for Professional Educators?
Dr. Shirley Disseler: Ability to use various programs for in-person and online teaching
What skills will help Professional Educators earn the most?
Dr. Shirley Disseler: The ability to extend your credentials to include a minor or add-on is special education, Gifted and Talented, or English as a Second language.
The other thing that is important is to make yourself marketable by extending your degrees. Take additional tests to give you a wider license range.
Andrew Sobel Ph.D.
Director and Professor of Global StudiesWashington University in St. Louis
Global Studies
What hard/technical skills are most important for Professional Educators?
Andrew Sobel Ph.D.: Demonstrable, marketable skills: critical thinking furthered by interdisciplinary study, intercultural sensitivity and awareness, adaptability and flexibility, etc.
Our grads land in a wide variety of settings such as grad school, many head to policy-oriented jobs in DC or in NGOs here and abroad, consultancies, corporate positions, etc.
What skills will help Professional Educators earn the most?
Andrew Sobel Ph.D.: Specific hard skills such as data analysis and computer science will initially produce the largest jump in incomes. Over time, the analytical and intercultural skills often provide our students with the greatest ability to adapt, be flexible, and respond to changing circumstances.
What soft skills should all Professional Educators possess?
Beverly Johnson: Communication, teamwork, enthusiasm & creativity. Be thoughtful about how to incorporate these into a resume. Again, listing them in a skills section is less impactful than demonstrating them in the experiences.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Professional Educators?
Beverly Johnson: Organization skills, lesson planning, and presentation skills.
What skills will help Professional Educators earn the most?
Beverly Johnson: Increased education and certifications, along with time in the profession, will help increase salary potential. Some positions, such as Special Education or administrative positions within education, may pay more.
What skills stand out on Professional Educator resumes?
Beverly Johnson: Behavior management, critical thinking, and time management are all critical skills for educators. They are best showcased by being incorporated into accomplishment statements as part of experiences instead of listed in skills sections without context.
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.
Associate Provost - Innovation and Partnerships, Program Director/Professor, Ed.D. Leadership in Higher EducationBethel University
Education Leadership
What experience really stands out on Professional Educator resumes?
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.: Resume advice can be challenging because a resume review and hiring committee evaluation can be so subjective. Experience in grant writing is always considered valuable, as is (evidenced) ability to analyze data and research and develop data-driven recommendations critically. However, documenting this experience in a compelling and interpretable way is also necessary, which reiterates the importance of researching the hiring organization, role, stakeholders, and perhaps even the search committee members - so that the applicant is best able to translate their experiences into a relevant context.
Further, stand-out experiences will significantly differ, based on their role and context. For example, Dr. Ayrn Baxter, a professor in our program and also an administrator from the University of Idaho and Arizona State University, reminds us about the importance of understanding the shared challenges and contributions/potential synergies between domestic equity and diversity work in higher education and the creation of international educators facilitating internationalization and global engagement.
What Professional Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.: Dr. Marta Shaw, a professor and administrator in our program is also a professor at Jagiellonian University and lives in Poland. She promotes a skill highlighted by UNESCO, which they refer to as "futures literacy." Their Global Futures Literacy Design Forum was an exciting event dedicated to this concept. More generally, and perhaps a more challenging skill to enhance, would be that of systems thinking. The global pandemic is illuminating the inadequacy of linear cause-and-effect models.
Additionally, collaboration is a crucial skill, so any experience working at the intersections of local and global issues would be valuable.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Professional Educators in the next 3-5 years?
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.: Based on domestic and international student data patterns and employment trend lines, I think we will continue to see growth in online and hybrid learning modalities, degree offerings, remote work arrangements, and virtual exchanges. We are so learning management systems, customer engagement software, work tools, and platforms. But again, while the technology will be critical, it will also continually evolve and be used effectively. So the ability to learn new (and old) technology systems and take advantage of the functionality will be necessary. Further, the practices around how technology is managed and used - the personal, interactive, and human elements, will also need to be prioritized
Melissa Kamyab
Assistant Professor, Director of Graduate ProgramCedar Crest College
Education Department
What skills stand out on Professional Educator resumes?
Melissa Kamyab: Teachers have such a wide variety of skills that they bring to the classroom; it is important to capture these skills on a resume by thinking of the actions which convey our skills- facilitating, organizing, developing, creating, strategizing: this gives employers a strong picture of who a candidate is and what they have accomplished in their career. Pre-service teachers who were student teaching during the pandemic in the virtual classroom and then transitioned back to in-person learning will be highly valued for this experience!
What soft skills should all Professional Educators possess?
Melissa Kamyab: Now more than ever, it is important for our teachers to demonstrate flexibility and the ability to adapt to what feels like an ever-changing landscape in education. The pandemic has taught us that we can deliver quality learning experiences to our students. It may have felt hard and imperfect, but the stick-to-it-ness and grit that developed because of this are hallmarks of effective educators and stand the test of time. In combination with a student-centered focus, this is the philosophical underpinnings of the soft skills we consider important: patience, flexibility, and the ability to monitor and adjust.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Professional Educators?
Melissa Kamyab: Educators need to have a deep understanding of three elements of teaching and learning: how students learn, how to build a community of learners and content pedagogy. Skillsets which support this, such as proficiency in technology, planning, and organization, are important to convey to future employers, but the effective educator knows that these skills are the means to the end---designing instructional opportunities which support student understanding and academic growth.
What skills will help Professional Educators earn the most?
Melissa Kamyab: Educators are often paid based on their experience and continuing education, so newly hired teachers will need to enroll in a graduate program to pursue a Master of Education degree. Doing this adds to their earning capacity, but it also allows them to obtain further certifications, which add to their professional portfolio, increasing opportunities for positions outside the classroom. Reading Specialist and English as a Second Language certifications are two valued and needed programs in k-12 schools.
Amber Gentile
Graduate Secondary Education Program Coordinator, Middle Level Program Coordinator, Assistant Professor of Teacher EducationCabrini University
Teacher Education Program
What experience really stands out on Professional Educator resumes?
Amber Gentile: Experience working with children stands out due to the experience itself and that it reflects an interest in working with youth. It also helps if teacher candidates have experience working in an urban setting or an underperforming school to appreciate the challenges that may exist in the field. It allows candidates to speak of personal experiences in an interview that highlights the challenges they have witnessed/experienced and how they worked to overcome them. Educators need to be in it for the kids.
The experience that shows leadership capabilities and active involvement in projects is a stand out as well. We need teacher leaders and educators who get involved and make active contributions to the betterment of the community.
What Professional Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Amber Gentile: It is recommended that graduates continuously look to enhance their inter and intrapersonal skill sets. It is when we "push ourselves" beyond our "comfort zones" that growth is maximized. Graduates should get involved in something that matters to them and challenges them. Being passionate about something experienced and of interest helps a teacher candidate to stand out. Volunteering in schools and organizations that are mission-oriented in improving children's lives is very beneficial for both personal and professional growth.
Being involved in experiences interacting with and supporting children's holistic development can help build a skill set to guide future work. Social, emotional, and relationship-building skills are critical in the classroom. The key is knowing how to help students develop these skills. It is also an excellent idea to enhance one's comfort with, and knowledge of, technology and how it can increase engagement and student learning. This enhanced skillset can be accomplished through formal courses, webinars, and personal exploration.
Essential skills include data-driven decision-making, lessons to support kids' social and emotional needs, community building, culturally relevant and sustaining education practices, understanding of trauma-informed practices and instruction, and current best practices in literacy and math instruction are essential.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Professional Educators in the next 3-5 years?
Amber Gentile: Due to the current need to pivot instructional modalities and the subsequent awareness of inequities, teaching may be changing considerably. There is research being done on lessons learned from these recent experiences that can guide our next steps. There will need to be more of a balance between targeted academic instruction and explicit support for kids' social and emotional needs.
It will and should continue to be data-driven. However, schools will most likely be redeveloping instructional practices to maximize learning in various data-driven modalities in person, or through a virtual, online platform. For example, teachers may be frontloading lessons into pre-recorded videos, using online tools to further their students' learning, differentiating more effectively and continuing to explore ways to meet every child's individual, holistic needs. Increasing one's awareness of, and skill set in, the use of instructional technologies will be a must!
Someone starting a career in elementary education will need to be confident in creating engaging, productive lessons regardless of the modality (face to face, hybrid, online, etc). Given the recent need to pivot to virtual instruction, it has become a necessity that teachers are knowledgeable with online modalities, platforms, instructional techniques, and best practices for virtual learning including pedagogy and classroom management. Ultimately, having a skillset that utilizes technology in making meaningful and engaging lessons while addressing social and emotional needs is a must...regardless of instructional modality.
Dr. Peter G. Ghazarian
Assistant Professor of Leadership StudiesAshland University
Dwight Schar College of Education
What skills stand out on Professional Educator resumes?
Dr. Peter G. Ghazarian: Schools and other organizations are looking for flexibility, diversity of experiences, and technological expertise in their educators. Educational organizations have gone through a trial by fire over the past couple of years, requiring them to repeatedly make sudden, drastic changes to how they operate. These changes have relied on folks willing to blaze new paths, venture beyond their comfort zones, and use new resources as they become available. A resume that demonstrates those abilities will stand out.
What soft skills should all Professional Educators possess?
Dr. Peter G. Ghazarian: Communication skills are the key soft skills for educators. The ability to communicate ensures that ideas and information are effectively presented during instruction. It also helps regulate the social tone of the learning environment and resolve classroom management issues. Of increasing importance is the ability of educators to effectively engage with their students' families. They need to demonstrate that they are ready and able to initiate contact, establish good relationships, and build trust.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Professional Educators?
Dr. Peter G. Ghazarian: Beyond licensure and content area knowledge, teachers are increasingly required to have strong technical skills. As schools adopt new technologies and software to enhance students' learning, educators must integrate these resources into their instruction and troubleshoot issues that emerge. A technologically adept teacher can ensure that their students effectively engage with this new technology and serve as a mediator and facilitator of their students' learning.
What skills will help Professional Educators earn the most?
Dr. Peter G. Ghazarian: Educator earnings vary by district, sector, and role. Most educators' salaries are governed by union contracts, and these contracts differ in each district. For insight into what skills or qualifications are valued in a particular district, it is necessary to refer to that district's contract. Private education organizations vary even more dramatically than public institutions, with some paying significantly less or more than their public school counterparts. Finally, educators who move into an administrative role within their organization are likely to see a significant increase in their earnings. An educator must cultivate strong time management, organizational, and leadership skills to move into an administrative role.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Professional Educator job market given the pandemic?
Daniel Veidlinger Ph.D.: I certainly agree with many people who believe that the trend to work online will only keep growing and will most likely continue even after the pandemic is over. In history we can see that many social changes start during some emergency and continue thereafter, such as what happened with women in the workforce during World War II. Once an emergency situation shows that something people felt was not a great idea in the past can actually work rather well, then the trend can continue in some form and become normalized.
What Professional Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Daniel Veidlinger Ph.D.: If a graduate needs to take a gap year due to the pandemic, my usual recommendation, which is to travel as much as possible, would of course not be reasonable. I do find that volunteering to work in another country, perhaps teaching English or working for an NGO in some fashion, is often both a strong driver of personal growth and gives people the skills and knowledge of the world around them to excel later in life. However, if this is not possible due to the pandemic, what I like to recommend is to spend the time learning a new language. If one needs to stay at home during the pandemic, has some time on their hands, and is looking for a way to gain skills, I would strongly recommend using one of the many (often free) online systems to just go ahead and learn a new language. There is simply no better way to exercise the brain and develop as a person than learning another language. And once the job market gets back to normal, you will have that extra skill that might just be the thing that makes you stand out and gets you that great job in our increasingly globalizing world.
What general advice would you give to a Professional Educator?
Daniel Veidlinger Ph.D.: Some general advice I always give is simply to keep your eyes open. Don't have blinders on that cause you to focus on only getting that one perfect job because you never know what will come your way. There are always opportunities to do interesting work that you might not have thought of; therefore, just keep alert and always seek ways to turn whatever situation you are currently in towards something that you can build into a career.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Professional Educator job market given the pandemic?
Noel S. Anderson Ph.D.: The biggest trend in job market will be for those educators who have experience teaching and in curriculum and program development for online- or blended-learning formats, particularly in the STEM fields, not only in schools but within educational non-profits and NGOs. There is also an increasing need for leaders in these areas as well.
What skills stand out on Professional Educator resumes?
Noel S. Anderson Ph.D.: Skills and competencies that stand out in candidates are those who have some dexterity with technology and can differentiate learning for individuals. Leaders who have led and managed teams and having a resume that shows learning agility, project management, and change efforts in organizations always are valued.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Professional Educators to find work opportunities?
Noel S. Anderson Ph.D.: Since the term "U.S. economy" is not accurate, we know that the U.S. is made up of regional economies, so graduates will find different markets in different parts of the country. Further, most of the population are increasingly clustered into twenty-five major cities. It all depends on one's background and needs in that market. I do, however, see a growing demand for educators in rural areas, which have largely been ignored. I would encourage graduates to conduct job searches by places of personal and professional interest, talent need, and alignment with their skill sets.