Questions about teaching in US high schools

b_r_um
Sun, 09 Sep 2012 14:41:35 +0000

Most important information first: you are most likely not going to get a work visa to teach K-12. If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, choose a different career.

Back to your actual questions:

1) Yes, licensing requirements vary between states. I am not aware of a state that requires a Master’s degree, but my knowledge on that matter is incomplete.

2) It depends on the state. In California, you have to be licensed for every subject individually. You are right though that you don’t usually need a full major in every subject you want to teach.

3) This depends on your school, but most high school teachers teach students across all 4 years.

4) See Bureau of Labor statistics here: [Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education](http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252031.htm)

5) Qualified math and science teachers are in more demand than other teachers; but not in demand enough that they’d hire foreigners. Many schools have had to lay off teachers in recent years because of budget cuts due to the economic crisis. I have no idea what the labor market will look like in 4-6 years, except that I am very confident that foreigners won’t have a place in it then either.