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If you don’t know much about some of these subjects, you’re not alone. Unless you’ve had experience with special education or bilingual services, or know someone who has, then you might not know exactly what these crucial teachers do!

Students who need additional language support or other services also need more focused teacher attention. So schools need more teachers with these skills. In terms of language teachers, the number of English language learners in the state has grown by nearly 50 percent in the last decade. In that same time, Texas had a dramatic drop in the number of bilingual educators.

A growing Latinx population in Houston means the need to Latinx teachers is increasing, but it is taking time for the teacher population to match the need. 

According to Ana Coca, president-elect of the Texas Association for Bilingual Education, Texas is working to get "more native speakers interested in becoming a teacher in the first place." 

People who are interested in math & science may see industry jobs as the only way to do those careers. As a result, the demand for math and science teachers is high as school districts battle to find qualified educators who can help improve students' math and science ability.

Salaries for Houston Area Teachers

Houston’s average teacher salary is around $60,000, and most teacher salaries are on the rise. From 2019 to 2020, Houston’s average teacher salaries rose by 5%. (7) That’s one of the fastest-growing salaries in the nation!  In Texas, like most states, starting salaries vary by district. They also may depend on your experience. You’ll earn a higher starting salary with a master’s degree than you will with a bachelor’s.

Benefits for Shortage Area Teachers

Teachers in shortage areas often qualify for extra financial aid. If you teach in high-need schools or subjects like math, science, bilingual education or special education, the federal government and many states have created programs to forgive some or all of your student loans .For starters, check out the federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness or Perkins Loan Forgiveness programs. These programs cancel a portion of your remaining student loans—meaning you don’t have to pay them back!—in exchange for a commitment to teach for several years.

Benefits for All Teachers

In Houston, teachers receive comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance—plus secure retirement plans and vacation time. There are a number of ways you can increase your teaching salary, including advanced degrees, leading extracurriculars and pursuing advanced certifications or meeting performance benchmarks.

It’s not hard to see why Houston is an attractive city for many people. A rising job market combined with low cost-of-living and great weather make Houston a great choice for starting a career, building a life, and raising your family. 

Labeled the “capital of southern cool” by GQ, Houston’s thriving metropolitan scene, including multiple theaters and museums and NASA's Johnson Space Center, is dedicated to promoting art, science, history and culture. And don’t forget about sports and nature! Houston is home to several professional sports teams and houses lots of green spaces for family fun. In addition to an unlimited amount of leisure activity Houston is a great place to build a life you can truly be happy with. 

• Living in Houston is more affordable than in many other major metropolitans.
• It is possible to buy a house in Houston on a modest income.
• Students have access to all of Texas’ top Universities.
• Self care is a significant part of Houston culture.

As a teacher intern, you’ll fly solo in your own classroom while you earn a salary and work toward your credential. You’ll also take classes with an approved partner university or approved instructors, and you’ll likely have a one-on-one coach and regular classroom observations. Internships generally last two to three years, and your internship counts as continuing education to move you up your district’s salary schedule. 

Internships are generally meant for mature educators who may have classroom experience and just need their official teaching license. Internships are also meant to help districts staff harder-to-fill classes, such as STEM and special ed.

A paraprofessional works in a classroom under an assigned teacher. What they do varies depending on the school's needs, the grade level, and what the students need on any given day (8). Typical work for a paraprofessional might include:

• Working one-on-one with students to reinforce the day's lessons and answer questions.
• Taking attendance.
• Grading assignments.
• Setting up the classroom for projects and presentations.
• Supervising kids during recess or on school trips.
• Developing lessons.

Being a substitute allows you to work in more than one type of classroom. You can gain experience in a wide variety of subjects. Substitute teaching also provides valuable skills for the classroom, such as problem-solving, time management, and experience working with kids.

To become a substitute teacher in Houston you must have a Bachelor’s degree or have earned at least 60 college hours. (9) Recently one of Houston’s larger districts, Humble ISD raise substitute teacher pay by a third in order to attract additional qualified substitute teachers. 

On average: 

• Substitute teachers who are Texas certified are paid at a rate of $100.00 - $150 per day. (10)
• Substitute teachers who are degreed but not certified to teach in Texas will receive $90-$120 per day. (10)
• Substitute teachers who are non-degreed with a minimum of sixty college hours will be paid $80.00 per day. (10)

If you already have a bachelor's degree, from an accredited university to and would like to pursue a teacher certification without completing a traditional teacher certification program, this route is for you. Alternative certification  allows you to be employed as full-time teachers while completing required coursework. The program length may be from one to two years. 

Here are a few Houston educator prep programs that offer alternative certification: 

• University of Houston
• University of Houston - Clear Lake
• Inspire Texas
• Teaching Excellence 
• Rice University