There are criteria set out that explain exactly what you need to get a teaching job in Missouri. The main thing is that you must hold a teaching certificate issued by the state. In order to obtain this license to teach in a high school, you must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. The major concentration for the degree must be in the subject area you plan to teach or in a related field and you grade point average must be 2.5 or higher. Along with being eligible for a teaching certificate, you do need to have a job offer in a school in the state.
When you get a teaching job in Missouri under this temporary authorization, you will be subject to an annual review of your performance as a teacher and participate in a mentoring program for new teachers. You will need to pass the Praxis 11 exams for the content areas you teach and submit your scores of the tests along with your application to have your certificate renewed. You also have to take the Praxis Principles of Teaching and Learning exam. If you do not pass the Praxis exams, you can still continue in your teaching position, but you will have to take appropriate university courses to help you get the preparation you need to pass the exams.
While teaching under a renewed temporary certificate you do have to take the necessary steps to advance to the next level of teaching certification. You are required to have at least eight courses from a teacher preparation program to show that you have the skills necessary for teaching reading, knowledge of instructional strategies, behavior management for the classroom and courses in educational psychology. Upon completion of these courses you will be eligible to apply for the Professional Certificate in Teaching and in so doing you can get a different teaching job in Missouri if you meet the requirements for another position.
In order to teach elementary grades or special education, you must have teacher training before you can get a teaching job in Missouri. You cannot get a temporary certificate to teach in these areas and must start off with a professional certificate. There are specific courses that you must take in order to qualify for this certificate, and these courses are outlined in the Compendium of Missouri Teaching Certification Requirements. These teaching positions require that you have a teaching internship as part of your teacher preparation program.
If you complete your university education and teacher training outside the US, you will need to complete additional courses from an accredited university in the country if you want to get a teaching job in Missouri. In addition to providing documentation of the university coursework and the degree you attain, you will have to complete two courses in English composition, one course in US Constitution and one course in US Government. You will also be required to pass the Praxis exams for the contents areas or grade levels you wish to etach.
