Virginia · Career guide
How to become a Elementary Teacher in Virginia
Elementary teachers (typically K-5 or K-6 depending on the state) deliver self-contained instruction across all core subjects. Hiring competition varies — popular metro districts can have dozens of applicants per opening, while rural and high-poverty districts often run staffing fairs to recruit. Bilingual / dual-language certification can dramatically expand opportunity.
No elementary teaching positions are open in Virginia right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in Virginia
- 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. Virginia 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
- Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) — Literacy skills for PK–6 educators
- Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) — Reading instruction for PreK–3 and elementary endorsements
Most states issue a generic elementary license (K-6 or K-8). Adding a content endorsement (e.g. middle-grades math) expands grade-level placement options.
- Apply for your initial license through Virginia 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 Virginia Department of Education →
- Job-search in Virginia. We'll track elementary teaching openings as districts post them; set up an alert to be notified immediately when new positions go live.
Alternative pathways in Virginia
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Virginia offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Career Switcher Program: Intensive alternative route for career changers with 5+ years of work experience
- Teach For America (active in Richmond, Norfolk, and rural Virginia)
- Technical Professional License for industry professionals
- Virginia Troops to Teachers
Virginia salary context
Average teacher salary in Virginia: $66,036/year (rank #17 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 Virginia salary guide for the breakdown.