How to Become a Teacher in Wyoming
BestColleges.com is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.
Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:
- Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
- Provide specific, corrective feedback.
- Identify critical information that writers may have missed.
Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for BestColleges.com as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.
Wyoming K-12 schools faced a teacher shortage at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, according to a KTVQ news report. However, salary increases for new educators brought more people into the profession compared to previous years. This encouraging trend makes earning a Wyoming teacher certification an attractive option for college students and professionals who want to switch careers.
You can become a teacher in Wyoming by earning a bachelor’s in education. You can also qualify for a certification by majoring in another subject and completing an alternative licensure pathway.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
How Do You Become a Teacher in Wyoming?
Like other states, Wyoming requires folks to have at least a bachelor’s degree to become a teacher. You must also complete student teaching, pass tests, and apply for certification. Educators maintain their certification with professional development (PD) classes.
1. Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree
Wyoming’s traditional certification route requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The state’s Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB) accepts all college majors as long as you complete a teacher-preparation program. These programs feature the coursework and student teaching Wyoming requires for certification.
Some Wyoming colleges offer online bachelor’s in education programs. However, these degrees still require an in-person practicum and student-teaching experience. Check all academic requirements closely before applying.
2. Gain Student-Teaching Experience
A one-semester student-teaching experience lets you apply academic knowledge in a K-12 classroom setting. Your college pairs you with one or more local schools where you work under a mentor teacher. Your mentor teacher’s feedback helps you refine the skills necessary to teach and manage a classroom of children or adolescents.
Excelling during student teaching can lead to many benefits, such as an employment offer or recommendation letter from your mentor teacher.
3. Take Required Certification Tests
There are a number of tests required to become a licensed teacher in Wyoming.
- The Praxis II exam is required for licensure to teach most subjects in Wyoming. The test may also be required for educators who want to be licensed to teach additional subjects.
- Out-of-state applicants will need to complete testing requirements for the state where their educator preparation program is located.
- You will also need to complete two multiple-choice exams that cover the United States Constitution and the Wyoming Constitution.
4. Apply for Certification
A college degree, student teaching experience, and passing test scores qualify you for an initial Wyoming teacher certification. You apply for certification on the PTSB website. The application asks for your contact information and Social Security number.
Application requirements include describing any criminal history in depth and submitting a background check. The PTSB charges a $175-$225 initial certification fee as of May 2024. Certified educators can add an endorsement at no extra cost.
5. Maintain Teaching Certification
Like educators in other states, Wyoming teachers complete professional development to renew their certification. Options include college classes, PTSB-approved workshops, and National Board Certification credits. You maintain PD-completion paperwork and submit it each renewal period.
The PTSB recommends completing all PD at least six months before your renewal deadline. Most educator certifications require at least five PD renewal credits. Work with your district office to locate state-approved PD classes in your area.
How Much Will You Make as a Teacher in Wyoming?
The table below reflects five Wyoming education careers’ latest average salary data. Jobs in large cities such as Cheyenne may pay more than the average salary. Remember that you may earn significantly less working as a new teacher or living in a rural area.
Most public school districts post their salary schedule online. Compare these figures with an area’s cost of living to determine where you can achieve a high quality of life.
| Job Title | Average Salary (May 2023) |
|---|---|
| Career and Technical Education Teacher | $67,490 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,280 |
| Kindergarten Teacher | $62,430 |
| High School Teacher | $66,640 |
| Middle School Teacher | $64,900 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Teacher Certification in Wyoming
It can take 4-5 years to earn your license. During that period, you will graduate from college and take all the licensure tests that the state requires. On average, you need four years to complete your bachelor’s degree.
If you’re enrolled in a bachelor’s in education program, you will most likely complete your student teaching hours while still in college. Once all of that is complete, it can take several months to process your application.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed May 20, 2024.
Explore More College Resources
Best Colleges in Wyoming
The higher education experts at BestColleges reviewed the top 4-year colleges in Wyoming. Start planning for your future at BestColleges.
by Jennifer Lee
Updated October 30, 2024
Listen to These 6 Best Podcasts for Teachers
Podcasts let you learn on the go, making them effective learning tools for teachers. Check out these great podcasts for teachers and budding instructors.
Updated October 4, 2023
7 Education Books All Future Teachers Should Read This Summer
Summer is a great time to get caught up on reading, especially for aspiring teachers. Explore one professor’s picks for must-read education books.
Updated February 20, 2024