Mississippi · Career guide
How to become a English Teacher in Mississippi
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 Mississippi right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in Mississippi
- 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. Mississippi typically requires:
- Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying ACT/SAT/GRE scores) — Basic reading, writing, and mathematics
- Praxis Subject Assessments — Content knowledge for your certification 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi Department of Education →
- Job-search in Mississippi. 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 Mississippi
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Mississippi offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Mississippi Alternate Path to Quality Teachers (MAPT): Earn certification while teaching in a shortage area
- Teach For America (active in Mississippi Delta)
- Career and Technical Education licenses
- Special Educator Preparation and Leadership (SEPL) program
Mississippi salary context
Average teacher salary in Mississippi: $49,534/year (rank #48 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $36,059/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Mississippi salary guide for the breakdown.