Finding the right place to start your career as a teacher is an important decision. You might be looking for a place that is close to family or friends. Or you might be looking for a location with lots of opportunity and room to grow. Being a teacher in San Diego means getting the chance to work for a competitive school district and live in a desirable area. Earning your credential in California also gives you the chance to start your career in a large state with many different types of schools which could lead to future opportunities.
The Growing Demand for Teachers in San Diego
SDUSD has the second-largest school enrollment total in the state of California with more than 114,00 individuals. Hiring teachers and education professionals who can see to this large student population is critical now and into the future.
And as California takes steps to ease the transition from qualified undergraduate to fully-credentialed teacher, it’s the best time to take the next step in your career as an educator. San Diego is the second-highest employer of secondary school teachers in the state. With high employment comes high demand for teachers. Teaching programs in San Diego will not only prepare you to work with students from a variety of income levels and backgrounds, but also provide you with multiple options for continuing your career. Even if you’re considering teaching as a second profession or as a substitute, San Diego is a great place to earn your teaching credential.
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Pursue your purpose at PLNU.
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Teaching Opportunities in San Diego
San Diego holds one of the most competitive and highest-performing urban school districts nationwide. As SDUSD contains 175 schools with more than 93,000 students, there are plenty of opportunities for teaching in San Diego, ranging from elementary to middle and high school.
And those options are projected to increase in the future with teaching positions rising by as much as 7.4% according to research sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. The student-to-teacher ratio is also high in San Diego, meaning that the area is poised to hire more teachers to educate an increased student population.
The Benefits of Teaching in San Diego
Teaching in San Diego will expose you to a diverse set of students with a variety of needs coming from many different backgrounds. SDUSD includes a large student enrollment and therefore a large variety of school types including alternative schools, special education schools, and continuation schools. As a teacher in San Diego, you will have the opportunity to mentor, encourage, and ultimately impact these students at all different stages of life. Starting salaries for San Diego teachers begin at a competitive $50,000 and can go as high as $107,400, depending on prior education, teaching experience, and any additional coursework. San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) was also recognized as one of California’s top performing school districts by Educational Results Partnership for its progress in closing achievement gaps.
Beyond the teaching benefits in San Diego, it is also one of the largest cities in California with access to the coast as well as mountains. The city is vibrant and full of downtown and suburban living options. A renowned food scene, tourist sites, and multiple sports teams offer lots of opportunities to enjoy yourself while away from the classroom, and reliable transportation options make it easy to visit other areas of the state.
PLNU’s Graduate Programs for Educators
One of the best places to start if you’re interested in teaching in the San Diego area is with a San Diego-based program or school. PLNU offers a variety of options for educators looking to take the next step in their careers who see teaching as their true calling.
PLNU has 12 different pathways to explore a secondary degree in education. The San Diego-based university includes master’s in education programs as well as preliminary multiple subject credential and preliminary single subject credential. The five distinct master’s programs include:
- Master’s in School Counseling
- Master’s in Educational Administration
- Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction
- Master’s of Arts in Teaching
- Master’s in Higher Education
PLNU teachers are also known for their excellence in the classroom in the San Diego area with a reputation of integrity and commitment to their students.
The graduate programs in education at PLNU will prepare you for San Diego education jobs and other teaching opportunities. Retention and teacher job satisfaction are always going to be top of mind in educational communities. The training you will receive at PLNU approaches teaching as a calling rather than just a job. In PLNU’s graduate programs, not only will you be getting to know the San Diego education community, you will also be learning the traits that set you up for success in the classroom.
Start Your Teaching Career in San Diego with PLNU
Whether you’re looking to start your career as a teacher or advance your career with further education, San Diego is a great city to learn in. PLNU’s teaching programs go a step further and provide you with great local connections while you learn to approach teaching as a calling for your life. And with its excellent reputation in the San Diego area, a degree from PLNU will set you apart on the teaching job market. Learn more about how you can start or continue your journey with PLNU.