How to Become a Teacher in Oregon

Posted on December 12th, 2024 in Blog, Education

How to Become a Teacher in Oregon

In Oregon, approximately 30,900 teachers work in public schools and about 4,000 teachers are employed by private schools, according to recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). In addition to these strong job opportunities, working as a teacher in Oregon has several personal and professional benefits.

If you’re wondering how to become a teacher in Oregon, the process involves several key steps, from earning a college degree to completing a teacher preparation program to becoming licensed.

Benefits of Being a Teacher in Oregon

Oregon is home to more than 1,600 public and private schools, according to NCES. Many of its school districts are facing teacher shortages, according to the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC), so prospective teachers have ample opportunities to find meaningful and fulfilling work. The state is also home to a wide range of historical sites and recreational activity opportunities for teachers to pursue in their free time.

Support Services

The Oregon Department of Education provides numerous resources to help support individuals on their journey toward becoming a teacher, such as teacher licensing guidance, professional development suggestions, teaching standards documentation, and digital learning materials. The ODE also provides support resources for working teachers, such as family engagement tips, free online lessons, and a database of instructional materials.

Employment Benefits

Aside from professional resources, the Oregon Educators Benefit Board, a division of the Oregon Health Authority, provides teachers in K-12 schools, charter schools, and community colleges with an assortment of job benefits options. Some of the benefits include a commuter savings account; dental, vision, and medical insurance; life insurance; accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; and a health savings account.

Financial Assistance for First-Time Teachers

Prospective teachers in Oregon who need help financing their required education have several assistance programs available through TSPC. Their offerings include licensure expense reimbursements and scholarships.

Steps to Become a Teacher in Oregon

While some teaching requirements may vary by school district, the following steps represent the most common path to becoming a teacher in Oregon.

1. Earn a Degree

For most teaching positions, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum education required to earn an Oregon Preliminary Teaching License. Middle school, elementary school, and high school teachers typically need this undergraduate degree.

However, 74% of teachers in Oregon have a master’s degree, according to the 2022-23 Oregon Statewide Report Card. Having a graduate degree may increase a teacher’s earning potential, enhance their knowledge, allow for specialization, and increase their career opportunities. Postsecondary teachers may be required to hold a doctorate.

2. Complete a Teacher Preparation Program

All teachers in Oregon must complete a teacher preparation program. For individuals without a bachelor’s degree, the state requires completion of a TSPC-approved undergraduate teacher preparation program.

These programs are often integrated into education-focused bachelor’s degree programs offered through colleges and universities. Students have the opportunity to prepare for endorsement exams in general education fields or specific subject areas as part of their teacher preparation, and they typically complete student teaching practicums.

Individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree but haven’t completed a teacher preparation program typically complete graduate-level teacher preparation programs, such as a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program. A MAT degree is ideal for individuals with limited teaching experience, such as teaching assistants, or for nonteaching professionals who want to change careers.

3. Pass the Teacher Certification Examinations

To become a teacher in Oregon, individuals must pass certification examinations prior to licensure.

The exact certification examinations a prospective teacher takes will depend on the endorsement areas they want to specialize in. Generally, public school teachers must be licensed in the grade levels (early childhood/elementary or middle/high school) in which they want to teach, with options to specialize in subjects such as math, English, biology, and health. Universities typically help students prepare for these tests in their program coursework.

Applicants must also be able to show knowledge of laws and policies in Oregon’s classrooms regarding equity, discrimination, and civil rights. Some individuals can meet this requirement through their teacher preparation program, while others may be required to take an exam on Oregon civil rights laws and professional ethics.

4. Apply for an Initial Teaching License

An Oregon-issued license is mandatory to begin teaching. TSPC offers different types of licenses based on experience. The three-year Preliminary Teaching License is for first-time teachers who have completed their required education program and passed the applicable exams, but who have limited teaching experience.

5. Gain Experience and Apply for a Professional Teaching License

TSPC issues the Professional Teaching License to teachers with four years of full-time classroom experience, or six years of part-time experience. Candidates must also show proof of completion of an advanced education program, such as an advanced professional development program or an advanced degree program, such as a Master of Education (MEd) program. This renewable license is valid for five years.

Salary and Job Outlook for Teachers in Oregon

Teachers in Oregon will find that the salary range and job outlook for their field are promising. However, data varies by location, specialty, and experience.

Salary Information

The median salaries for teachers in Oregon in 2022 by grade level, according to NCES, are as follows:

Kindergarten teachers: $84,500
Elementary school teachers: $80,300
Middle school teachers: $79,000
Secondary school teachers: $80,000

Teacher Job Outlook

The job outlook for teachers in Oregon is also divided by their specialty area. For example, the U.S. Department of Labor projects that employment of secondary school teachers (except special and career/technical education) in Oregon will grow by 2.9% between 2022 and 2032.

Here’s a breakdown of the projected job outlook for some other teacher groups in Oregon during the same period:

Elementary school teachers, except special education: 2.5%
Kindergarten teachers, except special education: 3%
Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education: 2.7%
Preschool teachers, except special education: 23%
Special education teachers, all other: 8.7%

Elevate Your Teaching Knowledge With Warner Pacific University

Becoming a teacher in Oregon has several advantages that can make the profession appealing to new and experienced teachers. Grounded in Christian values, Warner Pacific University is an Oregon institution that can help prepare individuals for this impactful career. The university is approved by TSPC, a prerequisite for certification and licensure.

Two accelerated formats are available for the Master of Arts in Teaching program to prepare students for the Oregon Preliminary Teaching License: the standard MAT and the summer immersion MAT. The standard MAT program can be completed in as little as 22 months on WPU’s campus in Portland, Oregon, or through WPU Online. The three-part structure of the standard program consists of core studies, track selection, and student teaching. The summer immersion MAT program can be completed in about seven months and consists of one-to-three-week courses and student teaching experiences.

WPU Online also offers an accelerated Master of Education program for teachers looking to advance their careers or earn additional endorsements.

Learn more about how WPU can help you reach your teaching career goals and meet the needs of students in diverse Oregon communities.

Sources:
Educator Advancement Council, 2022 Oregon Educator Equity Report
Indeed, “How To Become a Teacher in Oregon in 5 Steps (Plus Salary)”
National Center for Education Statistics, Digest State Dashboard
Oregon Department of Education, Educator Resources Home
Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Statewide Report Card 2022-23
Oregon Department of Education, Schools & Districts Home
Oregon Department of Education, Professional Learning Opportunities
Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments, Tests
Oregon Health Authority, Program Information
Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, First Time License
Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, Frequently Asked Questions
Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, Licensure Testing
Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, Oregon Educator Data Dashboard
Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, Upgrading to Professional
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, High School Teachers
U.S. Department of Labor, Projections Central, Long-Term Occupational Projections

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