Become a Spanish Teacher in Washington State
Spanish teachers in the state of Washington work with students to help them learn aspects of the Spanish language and culture. Learn about the requirements for becoming a Spanish teacher in Washington State.
Spanish teachers in the state of Washington work with students to help them learn aspects of the Spanish language and culture. Learn about the requirements for becoming a Spanish teacher in Washington State.
The Pathway to Becoming a Spanish Teacher in Washington State
Spanish teachers can work with students in elementary, middle, or high school to help them learn the Spanish language and culture. They are responsible for a number of daily activities, but they must first meet a number of different requirements set by the state before they can start their teaching career.
<table border="1"><tr><td> Education/Experience Required </td><td> A Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree, Certification</td></tr>
<tr><td> Exams Required </td><td> edTPA, WEST-B, WEST-E/NES</td></tr>
<tr><td>Certificate Validity</td><td>5 years (Residency & Professional)</td></tr>
<tr><td> Certification Renewal Requirements </td><td> 1.5 out of 2 Years Teaching Experience, <br/>ProTeach Exam (For Professional Certificate), <br/>100 Clock hours OR 10 CQCs OR 4 PGPs - or a combination<br/>National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certificate</td></tr>
<tr><td> Mean Salary (2018) </td><td> Elementary - $65,180, Middle - $65,630, High - $67,550*</td></tr>
<tr><td> Estimated Job Growth Nationwide (2016-2026) </td><td> Elementary - 7%, Middle - 8%, High - 8%*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>*Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i>
</p><h3 id="section---JobDescription">Job Description</h3><p>Spanish teachers in the state of Washington are expected to teach students all aspects of the Spanish language so that they are able to use that knowledge to communicate effectively. Teachers are also expected to teach students about Spanish culture, by teaching topics like art and history. Some of the daily activities that these teachers are expected to complete are creating lesson plans for the class, grading assignments, administering tests, conversing with students, monitoring student progress, and communicating with other staff and parents when necessary. Teachers may also need to attend open houses, staff meetings, or parent-teacher conferences depending on the district that they are employed by.
</p><h3 id="section---EducationRequirements">Education Requirements</h3><p>The first step on the pathway to becoming a Spanish teacher in the state of Washington is to earn a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Although a higher degree, like a master's, isn't always necessary, it may help potential teachers when applying for jobs in the future. Those who wish to teach Spanish should major in the field, and expect to take classes like Spanish Language and Spanish Culture. As a part of their college education, candidates will also need to complete a teacher preparation program.
</p><h3 id="section---ExamRequirements">Exam Requirements</h3><p>There are three different exams that are required for those who wish to become teachers in Washington state. The first exam is the WEST-B, which is a content knowledge assessment that is used for students to be able to enter into a teacher preparation program. The second exam necessary is the WEST-E/NES, which is a content knowledge test that is taken after the completion of a teacher preparation program. The last required exam is the edTPA exam, and this is a performance assessment that is subject-specific, and it helps to determine if a teacher is ready to enter into the classroom.
</p><h3 id="section---AdditionalRequirements">Additional Requirements</h3><p>In addition to the requirements listed above, teachers will also need to have their fingerprints taken. These fingerprints will be used to complete a background check, which is needed before a teacher can apply for initial certification. Potential teachers will also need to complete a character and fitness supplement. This supplement will ask questions about topics such as legal history, that could affect someone's ability to test.
</p><h3 id="section---CertificationRenewal">Certification Renewal</h3><p>In order to renew a residency certificate, teachers will need to be able to document that they have at least 1.5 years of experience over the previous two years, possess a valid certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in addition to completing one or a combination of the following;
</p><p>-100 clock outs/10 CQCs
</p><p>-During the 5-year term, have completed 4 annual PGPs
</p><p>To obtain a professional certificate, teachers will need to complete the ProTeach exam, in addition to the requirements above and they must demonstrate at least 1.5 years of teaching experience. To obtain a National Board Certification, teachers will need to have a professional certificate and have at least 3 years of teaching experience.</p>