Alaska · Career guide
How to become a ESL Teacher in Alaska
ESL / Bilingual / Multilingual teachers serve English learners across grade bands. The role spans co-teaching push-in models, dedicated pull-out instruction, and sheltered content classes. Demand is acute in border states, large metros, and any district with a refugee resettlement population — California, Texas, Arizona, New York, and Massachusetts consistently lead the country in ESL hiring.
No ESL / multilingual teaching positions are open in Alaska right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in Alaska
- Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution plus completion of an approved teacher-preparation program. Most candidates complete a teacher-preparation program either as part of their undergraduate studies or as a post-baccalaureate add-on.
- Pass the required exams. Alaska typically requires:
- Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying SAT/ACT/GRE scores) — Basic reading, writing, and mathematics
- Praxis Subject Assessments — Content knowledge for your certification area
- Alaska Studies and Multicultural Education courses — Required state-specific coursework (3 semester credits each) for all initial certificates
Most states issue a distinct ESL / ELL / TESOL endorsement that can be added to any base license. Some states require additional bilingual coursework for dual-language settings.
- Apply for your initial license through Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED). The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) →
- Job-search in Alaska. We'll track ESL / multilingual teaching openings as districts post them; set up an alert to be notified immediately when new positions go live.
Alternative pathways in Alaska
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Alaska offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Type M Limited Teacher Certificate: Issued to candidates with demonstrated expertise in shortage areas (CTE, special education, rural placements)
- Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification (ARTC): University-affiliated programs that allow candidates to teach under a provisional certificate while completing pedagogy coursework
- Type C Special Services Certificate for school counselors, psychologists, and related specialists
- Teach For America (active in rural Alaska placements)
Alaska salary context
Average teacher salary in Alaska: $73,722/year (rank #11 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $48,000/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Alaska salary guide for the breakdown.