What type of qualifications do you need to become a 5th grade teacher and what is the typical salary?

Answer 1

At a minimum, you will need to have a Bachelor's degree, preferably one with a concentration in education. From there, there will be two things that will be required to ensure that you retain a job: 1) full state certification, not an emergency or temporary certificate and 2) meeting "Highly Qualified" status under No Child Left Behind. To be Highly Qualified, you will have to prove competency in your core subject area. For teachers that teach multiple subjects -- like fifth grade teachers -- you will need to be Highly Qualified in each area. For instance, if you teach English, Math, SS and Science in a school day, then you will need to be Highly Qualified for English, Math, SS and Science. Elementary teachers only need to pass a general knowledge exam, but seeing that fifth grade is commonly now considered middle school -- check your regs. Each state will then have its own requirements on how to meet these Federal Laws. As for pay, the NEA states that the average salary for a beginning teacher is around $31,700. Your pay will increase by number of years teaching and education (degree/credits) attained.