Find out the education and certification requirements for becoming a teacher in a private school. Discover the daily responsibilities of private school teachers.
If you’re thinking about becoming a teacher outside the public school system, private schools can offer a different path with more flexibility in hiring requirements. You may find opportunities that focus more on your subject expertise, teaching style, or real-world experience.
As you explore how to become a teacher in a private school, it’s important to understand that requirements can vary widely by institution. Some schools prefer candidates with degrees in their subject area or prior teaching experience, while others may still look for formal training or certification, depending on the role.
How Can I Become a Private School Teacher?
Requirements for becoming a private school teacher vary by school. Often it's not necessary to earn a teaching license or certification, but knowledge of and passion for your subject area are essential. According to National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) job listings, some schools require a master's degree in the subject area, but no additional education requirements; others require previous teaching experience. Having teaching certification could make it easier to find a job, particularly if your degree program included student-teaching components.
Some schools have education requirements unique to the type of school. For example, teaching candidates may need to complete a certification process hosted by the private school in question, or at least progress through a teacher-training program. This training is meant to enforce school-specific learning focuses, such as in cases where students are given control over their own studies or are supposed to learn to apply their lessons to their everyday lives.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Job Prerequisites</b></td><td>Vary widely by school; licensure/certification is often not mandatory; master's degree may be required by some schools; teaching experience may be required</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Certification Options</b></td><td>Earned through certificate and master's degree programs or certification programs</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Duties</b></td><td>Lesson teaching, student encouragement, following school's specific teaching methods</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$60,940 <i>(for elementary school teachers, except special education)</i>*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-29)</b></td><td>4% growth <i>(for all elementary school teachers, except special education)</i>*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---HowDoIEarnCertification">How Do I Earn Certification?</h3><p>Some qualifications can be covered through approved certificate and master's degree programs. For certification preparation that takes place on the school's campus, there may be both a theory and methodology phase and an internship phase, where you work in a classroom with a supervising teacher. A NAPCIS certification program, for teachers at NAPCIS-certified schools in their first year of teaching, includes in-house mentoring and monitoring.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreMyDailyResponsibilitiesAsAPrivateSchoolTeacher">What Are My Daily Responsibilities as a Private School Teacher?</h3><p>Private school teachers often have more flexibility in the way they teach and present lessons than public school teachers, according to the NAIS and the Council for American Private Education. However, at some schools, including Montessori schools, you have a method you need to incorporate that includes both an informational aspect and a lab aspect (though this may be different for individual students). At many private schools, teachers are expected to do more than just teach; they're also expected to encourage their students to develop a love for learning.</p>
