In today’s classrooms, students deserve teachers who are not only passionate, but also prepared for a long-term career in education. Becoming a certified teacher is so much more than checking a box. It’s a crucial step of preparation toward your journey as an educator.

1. Many Districts Require It

Across the country, more and more states are requiring school districts to have all of their teachers’ certified or working toward certification. It is no longer a preference. Districts and states are recognizing and responding to data that highlights the value certified teachers bring to school communities and acknowledges the challenges that can arise when teachers are not fully certified.

• In Philadelphia, teachers are required to be certified to teach long-term in public schools. 
• In Texas, House Bill 2 recently passed, mandating that all teachers of foundational subjects (like math, reading, science, and social studies) be certified by fall 2027.
• In Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, educators must be actively working toward certification in order to remain in the classroom.

Certification is becoming the standard as states are raising the bar to ensure all students have access to highly qualified teachers.

2. It Opens the Door to Better Pay

Certified teachers are often eligible for higher salaries than their uncertified peers.

Districts frequently offer structured pay scales that reward certification status. In some cases, your pay can increase significantly just by moving from uncertified to certified. Over time, this adds up to thousands more in your pocket.

Plus, certification can unlock additional career opportunities and leadership roles that come with even higher compensation, such as grade-level chair, academic coordinator, or school administrator.

3. It Signals You’re a Professional

Teaching is not a side gig. It’s a profession that demands knowledge, skill, and dedication.

Becoming certified means you’ve been trained to do the complex, high-stakes work of teaching. From classroom management to differentiated instruction to supporting students with diverse needs, certification shows you’ve invested in learning how to teach effectively and commit to better student outcomes 

Students, especially in historically underserved communities, deserve teachers who are committed to excellence and their craft.

4. It Prepares You to Be Effective in the Classroom

Becoming certified requires passing a test, but the learning you do in order to pass is designed to help you:

• Understand how students learn
• Use data to drive instruction
• Manage your classroom with equity and care
• Build relationships with students and families
• Adapt your teaching to meet students’ diverse needs

Certification prepares you to do the job well. When you’re better prepared, your students have stronger academic outcomes, are more engaged, and get to learn in a supportive, inclusive environment.

5. It’s an Investment in You and Your Future

Certification can feel like one more thing on your already full plate, but it’s an investment that pays off for your students, your career, and your school.

At City Teaching Alliance, we believe that every student deserves a great teacher and every teacher deserves the support and training to be excellent. That’s why we build certification into our signature pathway, alongside a master’s degree and personalized mentorship. Our teachers receive dual certification in a grade-specific content area and in Special Education and over 90% of program completers pass their licensure exams.

Teaching is hard, but with the right preparation, you will thrive!

Ready to take the next step in your teaching journey? Learn more about how City Teaching Alliance supports current and aspiring educators in becoming certified and impactful from day one.