Indiana · Career guide
How to become a English Teacher in Indiana
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.
See 43 English / language arts teaching jobs open in Indiana →Certification path in Indiana
- 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. Indiana typically requires:
- CORE Academic Skills Assessment (or qualifying SAT/ACT/GRE scores) — Basic reading, writing, and mathematics
- Praxis Subject Assessments or Indiana CORE Content Area Exams — Content knowledge for your license area
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 Indiana Department of Education. The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Indiana Department of Education →
- Job-search in Indiana.Browse current English / language arts teaching openings across Indiana districts. Apply directly to each district's careers page — no platform fees.
Alternative pathways in Indiana
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Indiana offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Transition to Teaching (T2T): For career changers employed by an Indiana school
- Troops to Teachers: For military veterans
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) licenses for industry professionals
- Teach For America (active in Indianapolis)
Indiana salary context
Average teacher salary in Indiana: $55,427/year (rank #41 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $35,000/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Indiana salary guide for the breakdown.