How to Become a Private School Teacher in Texas

Written by: Earl Dennis

How to Become a Private School Teacher in Texas

There is a growing demand for private school teachers in Texas to work in secular, religious, and charter schools. Becoming a private school teacher in Texas is similar to the process of becoming a public school teacher; however, there are some key differences you should be aware of if you are planning to follow this career path, either as a new teacher or an experienced teacher. Our guide walks you through pursuing a job as a private school teacher in Texas and discusses some of the key cultural differences between private and public schools.

Texas Private School Teacher Requirements

Generally, the requirements for becoming a Texas private school teacher will depend on the individual private school or the agency that has accredited it. When you're looking for a private school job in Texas, it's often best to research specific schools and learn what the standards are. From there, you can determine whether your credentials match what the school is looking for.

Educational Requirements for Texas Private School Jobs

Although Texas private school teaching requirements will vary, one thing they have in common is that most will require that you have earned at least a bachelor's degree. A master's degree or higher may not be required; however, earning an advanced degree might better your chances of landing your preferred teaching position. Specialized degrees can also add to a candidate's desirability. For example, if you have a special education or bilingual/ESL teaching certification, it might be a bit easier to find a job in a private school. Likewise, degrees or specializations in the STEM fields are also particularly in-demand.

Certification and Licenses for Texas Private School Teachers

Although private school teachers in Texas are not required to have a state license to teach, it can help you in the competitive and varied Texas private school environment. Usually, to teach at the elementary school level, you will need state certification. For the upper school level, such as high school, you may be able to find a position that doesn't require certification as long as you show you have mastered the subject area you want to teach.

Just because Texas doesn't require private school teachers to be certified, the standards for working in an accredited private school can be more stringent. If the private school has earned accreditation, it will adhere to the hiring standards set forth by the accreditor. And while private school teachers should be "highly qualified," each accreditation agency determines what that means. Some private schools do use the Texas state teacher certification standards, but if the school doesn't, the standards must surpass those. Non-accredited private schools set forth their individual standards, and applicants should refer to each school for its particular hiring requirements.

Additionally, private schools have the option of accepting out-of-state credentials. So, if you're moving to Texas and want to continue to work as a teacher, you may be able to use your already-earned certification and find a job at a private school without having to earn Texas certification.

While many private schools are self-regulated or use accreditation standards, charter schools, in particular, follow the Texas mandate for charter schools. State law requires that charter school teachers have a bachelor's degree. Further, special education and bilingual education/ESL teachers must have the same teacher certification as public school teachers. Beyond that, charter schools set teaching standards that meet or surpass state standards. If you're looking to work in a charter school, then getting state certification is the best way to accomplish that goal.

TExES Exams and Other Assessments

Although it may not be required, earning certification can give you a competitive edge when applying for private school teacher positions because it shows that you are prepared and ready to take on the classroom. So, if you want to become a certified Texas teacher, you must:

• Earn a bachelor's degree
• Complete an approved Educator Preparation Program
• Pass certification exams
• Submit your application to the state
• Submit to fingerprinting

If you've already earned a bachelor's degree or higher in education or another field, then you might consider alternative certificate programs, which are designed for people who want to transition into teaching and already hold a bachelor's degree. There are also post-baccalaureate teacher preparation programs that are for those who want to earn an advanced degree or become a teacher later in life while also completing the required teacher certification milestones.

There are several teacher certification exams in Texas that you should be aware of. However, your teacher preparation program will fully guide you in what certification exams you need to take. It's important to know Texas does not use the Praxis Exam for initial teacher certification, as the scoring for the Praxis Exam is different. However, out-of-state certified teachers with one or more Praxis certifications can have their credentials taken into consideration by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

• Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) - This exam is used to determine admission to the above-mentioned alternative certification and post-baccalaureate teacher preparation program. It is also used as a requirement for the intensive pre-service (IPS) route. Most importantly, some charter schools might require that you take the PACT (within your field of instruction) to show that you have the right knowledge and mastery of the subject you want to teach.
• Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) - The TExES exam is made up of specific exams in different grade levels, subjects, and specializations. The exams include CORE Subjects EC-6 and CORE Subjects 4-8 and individual content areas exams, such as mathematics and English language arts. The exact exam you will take will depend on what grade level you want to teach and what subject area.
• Science of Teaching Reading (STR) - New teachers who will teach grades Pre-K-6 are required to take the STR exam, which focuses on instructional skills for teaching literacy.
• The Pedagogical and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) - The PPR exam is focused not on subject or content mastery but on teaching skills and knowledge. This exam focuses on areas like planning instruction, assessment, classroom management, communication, and teacher responsibilities. All teacher candidates are required to take this exam.
• Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) - Texas piloted the edTPA as another option to meet initial teacher certification standards. It was meant to replace the PPR exam. As of 2024, it is still undecided whether the edTPA will become a permanent exam. 

How to Find Private School Jobs in Texas

There are many ways you can find a private school job in Texas. Like any job search, it's always best to use several resources so that you get a full view of what teaching jobs are available.

Websites and Job Boards

Job boards and websites are a great and easy way to stay up-to-date on new job opportunities in your area. It's usually best to check job websites regularly or sign up for email alerts for new job openings. Here are some of the websites that offer private school job listings:

• The Texas Private Schools Association is a private school-focused organization that offers a job search feature as well as a list of currently operating private schools (search for schools in your desired area and then follow up with them to see what job openings they might not have posted online yet).
• Indeed.com is a general job site that allows you to filter for private school jobs in your area.
• Glassdoor.com is also a general job search site, but it offers salary information and reviews from current and former workers as well.
• Education Week is a media publication that focuses on K-12 news and also provides a job listing board on its website.
• TeacherJobFairs.orghas a mission of connecting teachers and potential employers, and you can find a searchable job board listing, can post your resume, and can find job fairs to attend.
• SchoolSpring is also a website focused only on teaching jobs and has a job board.

Social Networks

Social networks can be useful in any job search, allowing you to connect and network with others and increasing the chances of finding a desirable position. Social networks like LinkedIn and Facebook are easy to navigate and make establishing connections and communication simple. The key is to take advantage of the site's strengths. For example, LinkedIn allows you to upload your resume and apply for jobs directly from the site, while Facebook is an efficient tool for research and networking. It would be helpful to follow some of your local private schools on Facebook so that you can see what the culture is like and when they post job openings.

Teaching Job Placement Firms

If you're having trouble finding a private school teacher position on your own, you might consider working with a job placement firm. These types of organizations work with both schools and teacher candidates, making matches that work for both the school and the new hire. One example is the Southern Teachers Agency, which uses connections with competitive schools along with counselors to help teachers find the perfect job. Usually, you will work with a counselor to create your resume, prepare for job interviews, and identify potential school/job matches. These services are usually free after you meet their requirements (schools, however, pay a fee to use the service).

How is Teaching in Private Schools Different?

Teaching in private schools can be different than teaching in a public school. For one, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), private school teachers have a lower salary than public school teachers, and sometimes, they are even paid hourly. You might also be required to complete some duties without pay, such as having after-school extracurricular and parent-teacher obligations, mentoring students, and attending fundraising functions, such as alumni dinners and other events.

The NCES also noted private schools have less diversity among students, with most students being white. The tuition cost of private schools often acts as a barrier for low-income families, and that affects the makeup of a private school's student body. If diversity, in terms of both student and teacher diversity, is especially important to you, then you want to make sure you closely look into the diversity efforts and programs a private school has before applying.

The Culture of Private Schools in Texas

The culture of private schools in Texas can be different than what is standard in public schools. This is generally because a private school is able to set up its own rules and mission statements, which speak to its values. For example, a private religious school would likely have a greater focus on religious teachings and culture than a public school or even a charter school.

Because the cultures of private schools can differ, you want to make sure that when accepting a teaching position, the culture of the school closely aligns with how and why you teach. Most private schools will have a posted set of values and a cultural statement that can help you decide if your own values match those of the school or not.

Some other key differences between private schools and public schools are:

1. Private schools generally have smaller class sizes, which means you can have a more one-on-one relationship with your students and have more say in how your class is structured.
2. Many private schools (although not all) include a religion-focused curriculum, which means more religious education and activities.
3. Parents of children in private schools can be more highly involved with their children's education and can have more interactions with teachers and school staff.
4. Because a private school sets its own policies and rules, they are often stricter regarding discipline.

Curricula and Teaching Style Differences

The curricula for public and private schools can differ in many ways. Public schools follow a government-approved curriculum with annual tests, and, for teachers, that could mean less control over what they can teach. Some private schools are moving away from teaching for standardized exams only. This allows you to teach in a way that is not all about passing a test.

As private schools do not receive government funding and do not have to follow legislative mandates, they can set their own curriculum requirements. This might mean having specialized programs that focus more on religious studies, experiential learning, STEM subjects, career programs, and more. In the classroom, you might also have a bit more freedom in designing lesson plans and classroom activities. For instance, a lesson on animals might include taking your class on a field trip.

Private schools might also give you the opportunity to explore your own teaching style and try different teaching techniques and methods. With smaller class sizes, you can often better focus on how your students learn, making for an overall better learning environment.