West Virginia · Career guide
How to become a English Teacher in West Virginia
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 20 English / language arts teaching jobs open in West Virginia →Certification path in West Virginia
- Earn a bachelor's degree. 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. West Virginia typically requires:
- Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying ACT/SAT/GRE scores) — Basic academic skills
- 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 West 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 West Virginia Department of Education →
- Job-search in West Virginia.Browse current English / language arts teaching openings across West Virginia districts. Apply directly to each district's careers page — no platform fees.
Alternative pathways in West Virginia
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, West Virginia offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Temporary Authorization to Teach: Issued in shortage areas while seeking certification
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) authorization
- Teach For America (active in southern West Virginia)
West Virginia salary context
Average teacher salary in West Virginia: $50,162/year (rank #50 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $34,000/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full West Virginia salary guide for the breakdown.