Becoming a Private School Teacher in New Jersey

<p>Unlike public school teachers, private schools in New Jersey are free to make their own requirements for employment. While certification is not mandatory, some institutions still see it as a positive when potentially hiring you as a teacher. Some private schools prefer that you have a master's degree to teach their students. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Education/Experience Required</td><td>Bachelor's degree in elementary, middle, or secondary education with subject area emphasis, student teaching program; master's degree is preferable</td></tr> <tr><td>Exams Required</td><td>No exams needed for private school employment; basic skills assessment and Praxis Content Exams in grade/subject area needed for optional certification</td></tr> <tr><td>Certificate Validity</td><td>Not required for private schools; Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing given after completing exams and teacher education program; no extension required in New Jersey</td></tr> <tr><td>Certificate Extension</td><td>Not required for private schools; Standard Certificate issued after finishing two years of training in the Provisional Teacher Program (PTP)</td></tr> <tr><td>Average New Jersey Salary (2018)</td><td>$76,390 for high school, $72,290 for middle school, $70,660 for elementary school, and $67,400 for kindergarten teachers*</td></tr> <tr><td>National Job Growth (2016-2026)</td><td>8% for middle and high school, 7% for kindergarten and elementary school teachers*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---JobDescription">Job Description</h3> <p>Teaching in a private school is similar to the same position in a New Jersey-run public school. You'll draft lesson plans to instruct students in the grade level you chose when earning your degree. Assigning homework and grading tests are part of your tasks throughout the year, a time period which can vary greatly from public school. Depending on the school's affiliation, you may teach specialized classes in theology or religion. Your students are your responsibility in and out of the classroom while you act as a supervisor/chaperone during lunch periods and extracurricular activities. You can hold conferences with the parents of students to discuss their progress and necessary areas of improvement. </p> <h3 id="section---EducationAndTrainingRequirements">Education and Training Requirements</h3> <p>At a minimum, you will need a bachelor's degree to teach in a private school in New Jersey. You can find your major in one of several areas: a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Secondary Education. You might be able to choose a concentration subject within a degree program for elementary or secondary education to place extra emphasis on the subject you'll be teaching. For employment in a private school, some institutions prefer their teachers to have master's degrees before they apply. You can fulfill this with a Master of Teaching in many different areas, including elementary education or educational leadership. At the undergraduate level, you will complete a student teaching semester before you graduate. </p> <h3 id="section---ExamAndCertificationRequirements">Exam and Certification Requirements</h3> <p>Although they might be recommended by potential employers, private schools do not always require New Jersey certification to become a teacher. You could decide to pursue certification if you want to keep your options open and apply to a public school in the future, using your private school tenure to gain experience. Certification in New Jersey requires you to pass several Praxis exams, and the tests you must take will depend on the grade and subject you teach. For example, a fifth-grade science teacher would take the Praxis Middle School Science exam. When you have completed your exams, you can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing, qualifying you to seek full-time employment in a New Jersey public school.</p>