How To Become a Teacher in Alaska 2025

<p>You probably already possess some idea of what new teachers do to prepare themselves for the classroom, but there are several licensing items to consider. The following six steps will show you the basic requirements to become a teacher in any Alaskan school district. </p> <h3 id="section---Step1DecideWhatSubjectAndGradeLevelYouWantToTeach">Step 1: Decide What Subject and Grade Level You Want To Teach</h3> <p>First, the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/fastest_program_to_become_a_teacher.html">fastest way to become a teacher</a> always begins with identifying the grade level and subject matter you wish to pursue. It's better to do this as early as possible before entering a teacher preparation program. </p> <h4 id="section---BecomingAnElementarySchoolTeacher">Becoming an Elementary School Teacher</h4> <p>Elementary school teachers instruct children between kindergarten and fifth grade. You can make yourself eligible for these positions by obtaining a bachelor's degree, completing a teacher education program, demonstrating subject matter competency, and gaining teaching experience. </p> <h4 id="section---BecomingAMiddleSchoolTeacher">Becoming a Middle School Teacher</h4> <p>The <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Are_the_Requirements_to_be_a_Middle_School_Teacher.html">middle school teacher educational requirements</a> are similar to those for elementary school teachers. Alaska requires middle school teachers to complete a preparatory teaching program and pass Praxis exams to demonstrate content area competency. </p> <h4 id="section---BecomingAHighSchoolTeacher">Becoming a High School Teacher</h4> <p>Finally, the high school teacher educational requirements involve obtaining a degree in either education or a traditional content field (math, science, etc.). Many high school teachers complete their student teaching requirements through apprentice programs at various universities in Alaska. </p> <h3 id="section---Step2ChooseYourMajor">Step 2: Choose Your Major</h3> <p>Some college majors lend themselves to teaching certain grade levels better than others. Obviously, if you earn a degree in elementary education, childhood psychology, or early childhood education, those specializations work much better for teaching K-6 than they do teaching high school students. However, if you have a passion for English, social studies, chemistry, or other advanced topics, then you can still apply those toward teaching higher grades levels. </p> <p>Prospective teachers should become familiar with the needs of school districts around Alaska. It's much easier to land an entry-level teaching position if you major or minor in an area experiencing a teacher shortage. This changes sometimes, but it's almost always lucrative to major in special education, mathematics, natural sciences, or other hard sciences taught at the K-12 level. </p> <h3 id="section---Step3EarnYourBachelorSDegree">Step 3: Earn Your Bachelor's Degree</h3> <p>Whenever you identify the most appropriate college major, it also helps to research reputable colleges themselves. Alaska may have fewer university options than other states, but it's now possible to earn an education degree and complete certification requirements online. Some distance education programs even allow you to fulfill student teaching components at your local school district while you complete all of your coursework online. </p> <p>You can also use the traditional route for earning a bachelor's degree by enrolling at one of Alaska's public universities, such as the University of Alaska - Fairbanks, Alaska Pacific University, or the University of Alaska - Anchorage. Research carefully to see which accredited institutions offer the specific subject matter you need out of an education program. </p> <h3 id="section---Step4ConsiderAMasterSDegree">Step 4: Consider a Master's Degree</h3> <p>Another way to boost your teaching resume and prove subject area expertise is to get even further education through a master's degree program. Advanced degrees can open doors to better entry-level teaching jobs, and they position you well for further professional development later. </p> <p>Many school principals and superintendents possess either a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) or a Master of Education (ME) from online colleges or universities in Alaska. These programs allow aspiring teachers and administrators to take their basic skills in teaching and deepen them much further through advanced training. </p> <h3 id="section---Step5PassAlaskaTeachingExamsAndGainLicensure">Step 5: Pass Alaska Teaching Exams and Gain Licensure</h3> <p>Alaska's Department of Education issues teaching licenses and certifications for specific content niches, like elementary education. You can obtain yours by completing all the academic requirements, submitting to a background check, paying licensing fees, and passing tests. The examination process utilizes the Praxis educational testing platform. </p> <p>These basic competency exams test teacher candidates in content areas, such as reading, writing, and math. Exams also test prospective teachers in social studies, science, physical education, and other topics. After completing the exams, you'll also have to undergo training in sexual abuse awareness and in multicultural training and complete a fingerprint card. </p> <h3 id="section---Step6ApplyForTeachingJobs">Step 6: Apply for Teaching Jobs</h3> <p>The state of Alaska helps certified teachers find employment by posting jobs and hosting career fairs through its <a href="https://www.alaska.edu/alaskateacher/teaching-in-alaska.php#:~:text=Your%20job%20search%20for%20Alaska's,is%20a%20hugely%20different%20thing.">Alaska Teacher Placement (ATP)</a> website. This is the best place to begin to apply for full-time work, part-time teaching roles, or even substitute teacher positions. </p> <p>Alaska teachers should also focus on job announcements around the state's more populous regions. The Big Five districts include Juneau, Fairbanks, Anchorage, Mat-Su, and Kenai. You can find teaching positions at these locations on the ATP website, but these school districts often have additional requirements for job candidates. Finally, you can consult the Alaska Educator Retention and Recruitment Center (AERRC) to inquire about additional employment opportunities, particularly among schools experiencing teacher shortages. </p> <h2 id="section---HowToChooseTheRightTeachingDegreeProgram">How To Choose the Right Teaching Degree Program</h2> <p>The best teaching degree program is the one that prepares you to teach a specific grade level or certain academic topics. There are numerous education degrees, ranging from primary education to technical education. Many education programs allow you to take coursework 100% online as remote learners. </p> <p>Be aware that certain teaching positions may require specific college degrees. For instance, a school may recruit to hire a new music teacher, and require candidates to possess a degree in music theory. Fortunately, you can sort through job postings on the ATP website, by teaching area and grade level, making it much easier to identify appropriate jobs for entry-level instructors. </p> <h2 id="section---FAQsAboutBecomingATeacherInAlaska">FAQs About Becoming a Teacher in Alaska</h2> <p>These are some frequent questions from prospective teachers who want to know more about degree requirements and teacher certification programs. This section also addresses the differences between teaching in public versus private schools. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatDegreeDoYouNeedToBeATeacherInAlaska">What Degree Do You Need To Be a Teacher in Alaska?</h3> <p>You need an accredited bachelor's degree, but the state does not require one specifically in education. Many good teachers enter the career field after earning degrees in other fields, especially if they relate to common K-12 subjects, like history, biology, geography, and so forth. </p> <h3 id="section---HowFastCanYouBecomeATeacherInAlaska">How Fast Can You Become a Teacher in Alaska?</h3> <p>Most teachers can be ready to teach in the upcoming fall school year if they graduate with their four-year degree in the previous spring semester. You can, for example, <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Kindergarten_Teacher_How_to_Become_a_Kindergarten_Teacher_in_5_Steps.html">become a kindergarten teacher</a> by enrolling in a fast-track elementary education program and focus on completing your student teaching as quickly as possible. </p> <h3 id="section---HowDoIRenewMyTeacherCertificationInAlaska">How Do I Renew My Teacher Certification in Alaska?</h3> <p>Renewal frequency depends on the specific license you obtain. An initial license lasts for three years before a teacher must either renew or complete the requirements for a master license or professional license. Those licenses remain valid for five years before requiring renewal. </p> <h3 id="section---DoRequirementsDifferAtPrivateSchoolsAndPublicSchools">Do Requirements Differ at Private Schools and Public Schools?</h3> <p>The difference between private and public schools in Alaska is similar to other parts of the country. Private schools have most of the same requirements for employment but often include further qualifications in more competitive charter schools and academies. If you wish to teach in a more prestigious school, you may need to complete a master's degree or build several years of teaching experience. </p> <h2 id="section---PursueYourTeachingCertification">Pursue Your Teaching Certification</h2> <p>Now is your chance to launch a teaching career faster by getting a teaching certification after finishing a reputable online degree program. Our website furnishes several materials to help you make this happen at more affordable institutions.</p>