Kansas · Career guide
How to become a English Teacher in Kansas
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 18 English / language arts teaching jobs open in Kansas →Certification path in Kansas
- 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. Kansas typically requires:
- Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying SAT/ACT/GRE scores) — Basic reading, writing, and mathematics
- Praxis Subject Assessments — Content knowledge for your licensure 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 Kansas State 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 Kansas State Department of Education →
- Job-search in Kansas.Browse current English / language arts teaching openings across Kansas districts. Apply directly to each district's careers page — no platform fees.
Alternative pathways in Kansas
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Kansas offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Restricted License: For those with content expertise hired by a district, completing coursework over 5 years
- Career and Technical Education licenses for industry professionals
- Teach For America (active in Kansas City metro and rural Kansas)
Kansas salary context
Average teacher salary in Kansas: $52,913/year (rank #47 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $33,000/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Kansas salary guide for the breakdown.