October 06, 2006
by Jessica Santina
Local Education Columnist
In July 2005, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Nevada's Clark County School District, which includes Las Vegas, grows by about 12,000 to 15,000 students each year. That makes Clark County--which is already the country's fifth largest school district--one of the fastest growing in the US.
In 2006, the district began the school year with a shortfall of more than 400 teachers. The tremendous growth in the area is surpassing Las Vegas's ability to keep up with the demand for teachers. Clark County is using some interesting recruitment techniques to fill these positions.
The National Education Association (NEA) says that first-year teachers in Las Vegas can often expect to earn a starting salary of more than $30,000, as well as $2,000 signing bonuses in some cases. Recruiters are reaching out to countries around the world, looking for highly qualified, bilingual teachers. And in order to qualify more new teachers quickly, local colleges in Las Vegas offer a variety of licensure programs.
Master of Arts in Education Programs
Earning your teaching certification has never been easier, now that many of Las Vegas's local colleges have embraced alternative, expedited programs. For example, the Master of Arts in Education, with a specialization in Teacher Education for Elementary Licensure, leads to elementary teaching certification in Nevada. It involves intensive classes one night a week or on weekends, followed by student teaching. So even if you have a four-year degree in a different subject, the MA in Education can get you certified to teach in just two years. In addition, many schools are looking for master's degree candidates to hire, so you might get an extra leg up on the competition!
A master of arts in education can help you to move up more easily into a competitive, higher-paying administrative position, and it usually increases your annual salary by a few thousand dollars. So if you're ready to teach, Las Vegas's local colleges are ready for you.
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About the Author
Jessica Santina is a freelance writer with a background in media and marketing. She also teaches first-year writing courses at the University of Nevada, Reno.
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