Minnesota · Career guide
How to become a English Teacher in Minnesota
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 Minnesota right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in Minnesota
- Earn a bachelor's degree for tier 2+; field experience required. 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. Minnesota typically requires:
- Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examinations (MTLE) Basic Skills — Reading, writing, and mathematics
- MTLE Pedagogy Assessment — Teaching knowledge and practice
- MTLE Content Area Subtests — Subject matter knowledge by licensure field
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 Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) →
- Job-search in Minnesota. 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 Minnesota
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Minnesota offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Tier 1 License: For those with a degree and relevant expertise but no teaching program
- Resident Educator Program: Alternative preparation with mentorship
- Teach For America (active in Twin Cities metro)
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) licenses
Minnesota salary context
Average teacher salary in Minnesota: $64,818/year (rank #21 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $40,000/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Minnesota salary guide for the breakdown.