How to Become an Art Teacher in New York
Discover the requirements to becoming a certified, practicing art teacher in New York, as outlined by the New York State Education Department. Learn more on the types of examinations, workshops, educational programs, and field experience involved in obtaining certification.
Information for Art Teachers in New York
To become an art teacher in New York, you'll need to complete various exams, educational programs, and workshops in order to obtain certification. There are two main types of teaching certificates: initial and professional. Which certification you need depends on your experience and educational achievements.
<table border="1"><tr><td> Education/Experience Required </td><td> Completion of a bachelor's or graduate degree from a New York State-registered preparation program in Visual Arts</td></tr>
<tr><td> Exam Requirements </td><td> New York State Teacher Certification Exam - Educating All Students (EAS) test<br/>Content Specialty Test (CST) in Visual Arts<br/>edTPA Certification in Visual Arts</td></tr>
<tr><td> Certification Renewal Period </td><td> Both initial and professional teaching certificates in visual arts are valid for five years before a required renewal.</td></tr>
<tr><td> CTLE Credits Required for Renewal </td><td> Initial certificate holders require at least 75 of Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) credit hours within one year of application to be eligible for a renewal.<br/>Professional certificate holders are required to complete 100 CTLE credit hours during the five-year registration period if they teach 90 days or more in a single school district.</td></tr>
<tr><td> Average Annual Salary (2017) </td><td> $80,540 for primary school teachers and $83,360 for secondary school teachers (statewide, all subject areas, except special education)*</td></tr>
<tr><td> Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026) </td><td> 7% for kindergarten and elementary school teachers and 8% for secondary school teachers (all subject areas, nationwide)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau Labor of Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---InformationOnNewYorkStateRegisteredPreparationProgramsInTheArts">Information on New York State-Registered Preparation Programs in the Arts</h3><p>The first step to becoming an art teacher in New York is to complete a state-approved teacher preparation program in the arts. These programs can result in a bachelor's or master's degree, and students can choose to undertake programs that focus on artistic theory (such as art history, cultures, and art appreciation) or artistic practice (such as sculpture, drawing, and painting). Teaching workshops, internships, and mentorships are commonly included in such preparation programs.
</p><p>A registry of approved programs can be found in the Inventory of Registered programs on the New York State Education Department website. Once completed, students will be recommended by their institution for certification in art education.
</p><h3 id="section---InformationOnEASCSTAndEdTPAAssessments">Information on EAS, CST, and edTPA Assessments</h3><p>Next, aspiring NY art teachers must pass the Content Specialty Test (CST) and edTPA assessment for the visual arts. The CST is an online examination comprised of multiple choice questions and a written assessment of art theory - including the materials, principles, elements, culture, and interdisciplinary connections involved in visual arts and design.
</p><p>The edTPA is a performance-based assessment designed to measure one's lesson planning, instruction, and assessment skills in the visual arts. This test will also reflect on one's knowledge in developing and interpreting art lessons and your abilities for evaluating student techniques and reaching various the mediums.
</p><p>All New York teachers must also pass the Educating All Students (EAS) examination. This test assesses your theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of teaching, measuring your readiness for professionally teaching students across the state.
</p><h3 id="section---EarningYourTeachingCertificate">Earning Your Teaching Certificate</h3><p>Once you have passes the required exams, you should be ready to seek your teaching certificate. An initial teaching certificate is considered the 'entry-level' certificate for first-time, licensed classroom teachers. Certificates of this kind are issued in various subject areas and grade titles of the applicant's choice, including the visual arts. To be eligible for initial certification, individuals must fulfill the educational and exam requirements as outlined above. Once you have completed 3 years of paid, full-time experience as a certified visual arts teacher (with one year of completed mentored experience from your school leaders and faculty), you may then advance into a professional teaching certificate.
</p><p>A professional teaching certificate in the visual arts is considered an 'advanced-level' certification (with a longer validity period). While teachers typically progress from an initial certificate to a professional one, individuals may also apply for this advanced certification directly after completing a state-approved teacher preparation program in the visual arts, provided they have the required teaching experience.
</p><h3 id="section---RenewingYourLicense">Renewing Your License</h3><p>After completing the initial application requirements outlined above, those who wish to renew their initial teaching certificate in the visual arts must complete 75 CTLE credit hours within one year of application, as well as complete workshops in child abuse and school violence prevention.
</p><p>Professional certificates are renewed by completing 100 CTLE credit hours during your five-year registration period (if you practice 90 days or more in a single school district). As long as the required CTLE hours are fulfilled, your certificate is continuously valid. CTLE credits in arts education are acquired by completing coursework or workshops offered by state-approved colleges and universities.</p>