District of Columbia · Career guide
How to become a English Teacher in District of Columbia
English / Language Arts teachers cover reading, writing, literature, and (at the secondary level) composition and rhetoric. Demand is steady at the elementary level and modestly competitive at the secondary level outside the highest-need districts. ELA teachers play a central role in district-wide literacy goals, which gives the role outsized professional-development opportunities.
No English / language arts teaching positions are open in District of Columbia right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in District of Columbia
- Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. 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. District of Columbia 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
- Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) — Pedagogy and professional knowledge
A content-area endorsement in English / Language Arts is standard. Some states also offer separate Reading Specialist credentials for K-6.
- Apply for your initial license through Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) →
- Job-search in District of Columbia. We'll track English / language arts teaching openings as districts post them; set up an alert to be notified immediately when new positions go live.
Alternative pathways in District of Columbia
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, District of Columbia offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- DC Teaching Fellows: Two-year residency program for career changers, especially in math, science, and special education
- Teach For America (DC region, active in DCPS and charter network placements)
- Capital Teaching Residency (Center City PCS / KIPP DC): Year-long residency leading to a charter teaching position
- Provisional Teaching License (Type I): Issued to candidates hired by a DC school while completing certification requirements in parallel
District of Columbia salary context
Average teacher salary in District of Columbia: $81,030/year (rank #5 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $56,313/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full District of Columbia salary guide for the breakdown.