How to Become a Teacher in Texas

The Lone Star State is known for its culture: delicious barbecue, infectious music, and a thriving art scene make Texas one of the most unique regions in the country. Though it garners a bit less attention than cowboy boots and country tunes, the Texas education system is also quite renowned. Schools in the second-largest state vary widely from district to district, but in general, teachers in Texas are well-compensated and report high rates of job satisfaction.

If you're looking for a career that's in high demand, offers a flexible schedule and the opportunity to change the lives of students, teaching in Texas is worth considering. The path to the classroom is straightforward - after earning a degree, a passing score on the TEXES exam, and your Texas teaching certification, you'll be ready to share your passion for learning with students. Keep reading to understand the exact requirements necessary to kickstart your teaching career.

Education

The path towards teaching begins in an appropriate place: a classroom. Teachers in Texas must earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college. Many aspiring teachers choose education as their major and take classes in the specific subject area they're most interested in teaching. For example, an aspiring high school history teacher may take classes on foreign policy or the roots of imperialism, while aspiring art teachers may opt for photography or studio art courses. Each university has its own set of required classes for education majors , but you can expect to spend much of your time in college learning the material you'll eventually teach young minds.

As part of your teaching program, you'll likely need to complete a semester-long internship or student teaching experience. Shadowing a teacher in the field can reveal many of the most exciting and most challenging aspects of the profession. Eventually, you'll even begin leading classes as a student teacher. This hands-on experience is truly invaluable.

Not every teacher in Texas goes through this traditional education process. Alternative teacher certifications are available to those who have a bachelor's degree. After completing an online training module and passing exams, you'll have a year in the classroom to prove yourself. Field supervisors and on-campus mentors help to guide you through your first year, and by the end of the program, you'll have earned full Texas teaching certification.

Certification

Whether you come into the teaching world with a degree in education or an alternative certification, you'll need to earn your teacher's license. To do so, you'll need to take the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards, or TEXES exam. Designed to evaluate a person's content area and pedagogical knowledge, the TEXES group of tests include a wide array of topics related to specific subject areas. Art, science, music, English and computer science, for example, are all represented in the TEXES exam battery of tests. Grade level tests are also available for those interested in teaching a certain age group of students. Professional positions within schools also require a passing TEXES score. Whether you want to become a middle school algebra teacher, a school librarian or an assistant principal, you'll likely need to pass the TEXES exam to do so.

No matter your area of expertise, you'll need to take the TEXES Pedagogy and Professional Resources exam to work as a certified teacher in Texas. Comprised of 100 multiple-choice questions, the test measures a person's mastery of educational theory. You'll need a score of at least 240 out of 300 in order to pass. At $131 an attempt, this test is pricey. With the right amount of TEXES exam preparation, you'll pass on the first attempt. Practice tests are a good way to ensure you don't waste time or money getting certified.

Test Prep Resources

In order to do well on your TEXES exam, you'll want to dedicate a few weeks to studying and preparing. In many cases, this exam is the first standardized test many people will have taken since high school. Even if you've mastered the content, the format of the test can throw you for a loop. Since standardized tests measure your knowledge as well as your ability to perform under pressure, it's worth spending some time taking practice tests to get comfortable with the familiar with the structure of the TEXES exam.

Time and time again, research has shown that practice tests are the best way to prepare for an exam. The simple act of reading questions and considering answer choices can help you identify blind spots in your knowledge. It also helps you get more comfortable with the act of testing. Considering how much anxiety can occur on the day of the real TEXES exam, a practice test or two can help instill a sense of confidence.

The Exam Edge Advantage

If you're looking for study tools to help inform your TEXES exam performance, Exam Edge has the resources you need. Our practice tests have helped countless aspiring teachers get ready for their exams. Users can access a free sample practice test to get an idea of just how valuable our resources are – we're confident you'll love the ease of use, comprehensive subject matter and variety of practice tests.

Get your teaching career on the fast track with a TEXES exam practice test today!