Navigating Education Job Requirements in Wyoming

Wyoming offers diverse opportunities for individuals seeking education jobs, from teaching positions to administrative roles. Understanding the specific requirements for these positions is crucial for a successful career in the state's education system. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the key aspects of Wyoming education job requirements.

Teacher Certification Pathways

Becoming a teacher in Wyoming involves several pathways to earn teacher certification. The first step is completion of a state-approved educator preparation program. Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree are not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements.

Traditional Route

The standard method involves completing a state-approved program that has earned regional or national accreditation and results in a bachelor’s degree or higher. While in a college or university’s education department, you will receive the appropriate coursework and a mentored student teaching program that will give you the experience you will need to succeed. Complete all required coursework in a state-approved educator preparation program. If you are unsure whether your local college or university’s program is state-approved, ask the program chair or the academic dean. Most teacher-preparation programs in Wyoming are designed to put you on a streamlined track to the classroom. The University of Wyoming offers a full education program that covers every possible avenue in the teaching profession. There, you can train for any subject area covered in the K-12 years.

In Wyoming, the bachelor’s degree program you choose must be accredited and one component of the program must account for approved student teaching and preparation experience. In-state and out-of-state program applicants: Have the Dean at your college of education or the school’s certification officer issue an Institutional Recommendation (IR).

Alternative Routes

Wyoming also recognizes that not everyone decides on a teaching career when they enter college. Frequently, people decide to change career focus after a few years in the private sector. With that in mind, there is an alternative route to obtaining a teacher’s certificate. If you have a bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.5 GPA, and have been in your initially-chosen career for a while and now desire a change, the state does not require that you return to school for a full 4-year education. To qualify, you must be hired by a school district to teach, satisfy their requirements for the Praxis I&II, and complete all the background check paperwork. The school district will first seek a fully-certified instructor, but if they come up short, you may be on your way to a teaching career.

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For individuals who have a bachelor’s degree in a related area, such as mathematics or English, they may be eligible to transition into teaching in Wyoming. If the school district you’re interested in within the state has searched for a candidate but cannot find an acceptable person, the Wyoming school district may offer the position to candidates who have a degree in a related area that they need to fill.

Wyoming offers an alternative program for secondary licensure through the Northern Plains Transition to Teaching program.

Teach for America

Teach for America works in communities across the country, usually in large urban areas or rural areas that need teacher assistance. After working within the Teach for America corps for a commitment of two years you can partner with grad schools and employers across the country.

Key Requirements for Teacher Certification

Regardless of the chosen pathway, several requirements must be met to obtain teacher certification in Wyoming.

Educational Requirements

Generally, states require that certified teachers hold, at the minimum, a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Wyoming does not list specific course or credit hour requirements, but it does necessitate that student teaching be part of the Educator Preparation Program. Additionally, every Program will have requirements of its own. Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program. Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often include instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (the art and science of teaching) and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study.

Testing Requirements

Wyoming has a special requirement of its teachers-a Constitution test. This test will cover your knowledge of both the United States and Wyoming Constitutions. If you took Political Science courses that cover this material, that may satisfy the requirement. Successfully pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills Test. If you want to teach a specific subject, such as science or PE, you must pass a subject-specific Praxis test - Praxis II.

Elementary school teachers must take the appropriate Praxis exam in Multiple Subjects to become fully certified and highly qualified in elementary education. Secondary teachers who are currently licensed may add an endorsement to teach Math, English, Science, or Social Studies by adding a Middle School endorsement in that same content area by taking the Praxis II exam and applying for the endorsement. and Wyoming Constitution knowledge.

Institutional Recommendation

Have the Dean at your college of education or the school’s certification officer issue an Institutional Recommendation (IR).

Background Check

Besides earning a bachelor’s and passing the required Wyoming background check and fingerprint cards, and passing the Praxis Education of Young Children exam, if you seek employment at a preschool licensed by the Department of Family Services, you’ll need to complete several courses. These include first aid and CPR training, a staff orientation at the preschool where you seek employment, and upgrade training every two years in blood borne pathogens, fire safety training, sanitation training and how to recognize and report child abuse.

Exception Authorization

If your work history does not meet the standards above you may still be eligible pending review of your circumstances and acceptance under an Exception Authorization. These are issued in emergency situations to applicants who, due to extenuating circumstances, have not met all the requirements for full licensure.

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Specific Endorsements and Fields

Wyoming offers endorsements for various teaching fields, including special education, administration, and specific subject areas.

Physical Education

In addition to the teacher requirements for the state, you must complete a PE teacher preparation program that is recognized by the NCATE or receive an Institutional Recommendation in physical education on your behalf. The state requires certification or licensure of physical education teachers at the elementary, middle school/junior high and high school levels, which must be renewed every five years. Elementary classroom teachers (generalists) may teach required elementary school physical education classes. Professional development continuing education hours or credits are required to maintain/renew one’s physical education teacher certification or licensure. The back of a license or permit may state that renewal credits must meet certain professional development requirements in content specific areas such as physical education.

Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL)

Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) educators may become qualified for licensure through after completing a bachelor’s degree program in education and applying for the ESL endorsement. Teachers who are already licensed may also complete post-graduate coursework that can result in an ESL endorsement.

School Administrators

School administrators, including superintendents, principals, school counselors, social workers, speech pathologists, school nurses and certain special education fields must add the appropriate level of endorsement to all of their met educational requirements and state requirements necessary for the field.

School Nurses

As of March of 2018, PTSB no longer issues a license or permit for School Nurses. If an individual holds an Registered Nurse (RN) License with the Wyoming Board of Nursing, then they can serve in Wyoming schools. However, if the individual is instructing students, they must be certified with PTSB and would need to apply for our Professional, Industry, and Careers (PIC) Permit. Please note that any individual who holds a current Standard License, School Nurse Permit, or a Substitute School Nurse can continue to renew their license or permit. Courses that require less than seven (7) clock hours cannot be used toward renewal credits. School Nurses must maintain current licensure with the Wyoming Board of Nursing.

Related Services Personnel

In the State of Wyoming, Related Services Personnel are permitted to be hired by a school district if they hold a current and valid Wyoming license in their own profession (W.S. Statute 21-02-802 (a)(i)). Therefore if you hold a license from the Mental Health Professions Licensing Board, any district may hire you on the basis of that license. However, many districts still require a PTSB license for employment. No.

In the State of Wyoming, Related Services Personnel are permitted to be hired by a school district if they hold a current and valid Wyoming license in their own profession (W.S. Statute 21-02-802 (a)(i)). Therefore if you hold a license from the Wyoming Board of Psychology, any district may hire you on the basis of that license. However, many districts still require a PTSB license for employment. No.

Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists

Effective July 1, 2020, Senate File 0087, or Enrolled Act 59 Audiology and speech-language pathology compact, was signed into law March 24, 2020, and becomes effective July 1, 2020. It adopts the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact which allows the practice of audiology and speech-language pathology (SLP) across state lines. The law repealed a section [W.S 33-33-104(a)(iii)] of the previous statute that allowed the Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB) to license SLPs to practice only in public schools or in programs for the developmentally disabled funded by the Department of Health. PTSB conducted fingerprinting and background checks of these applicants. For decades SLPs were licensed to work in school districts by meeting different minimum requirements. Those requirements were changed in statute around 2008. The Board of Examiners of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology (SLP Board) will be the only licensing body for SLPs and Audiologists effective July 1, 2020.

Tutors and Instructional Facilitators

PTSB does not issue any specific endorsements for school tutors. PTSB does not issue endorsements for instructional facilitators. Wyoming Statutes previously listed eligibility requirements for these positions, but those statutes were repealed in 2017.

Paraprofessionals

PTSB does not issue any specific license or permit for paraprofessionals. Each district determines their own requirements for this position.

Interstate Reciprocity

Wyoming participates in interstate reciprocity for teachers holding out-of-state teaching licenses. This, however, assumes a policy of equal exchange, meaning that the requirements an applicant fulfilled to obtain certification must be equivalent to the requirements in Wyoming. Wyoming participates in reciprocity with all states for teachers who want to move there and teach. When two states have an agreement for teachers moving from one state to another, it’s called teaching reciprocity. No. But as you complete an accredited teacher preparation program and earn a bachelor’s degree in another state you are eligible to apply for teacher licensure in Wyoming. Yes.

Out-of-country and out-of-state teachers may be required to have their current coursework evaluated by NACES-approved committees to ensure the quality and relevance of completed curriculum. Yes, but not for all candidates. This is not available in Wyoming as the state does not have a tiered licensing system. Out of state candidates may pursue the traditional route for licensure. equivalency of your education program by having your university transcripts evaluated on a course-by-course basis by an approved transcript evaluation service.

Finding Job Opportunities

The Wyoming School Boards Association publishes an online list of education jobs in the state, including teaching positions, administrative positions, superintendent positions, and district-wide positions. Check back frequently as new listings are provided as needed.

Financial Aid and Incentives

There are several forms of aid available to teachers pursuing their Master’s in Teaching. The TEACH Grant, for example, offers financial aid in return for teaching full time in a high-need field at a low-income school for at least four academic years. Similarly, the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program allows teachers to teach full-time at a low-income school for five years in exchange for forgiveness of up to $17,500 of student loans.

Professional Development and Advancement

The Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB) oversees both certification and professional development for Wyoming teachers. As a teacher with a master’s degree in the field of education in Wyoming, you may have more job security, as well as the possibility of better compensation. Learn more about the benefits of a Master of Arts in Teaching vs.

Teacher Shortage Areas

Department of Education as “an area of specific grade, subject matter or discipline classification, or a geographic area in which … there is an inadequate supply of elementary or secondary school teachers.” The Department allows states to identify their own teacher shortage areas, but encourages them to follow a prescribed methodology based on unfilled teaching positions, teaching positions filled by instructors with irregular certifications, and positions filled by teachers certified in other subject areas.

Compensation and Benefits

Teachers can earn a healthy salary in the state of Wyoming, and while it may not seem as high as other states, remember that there are factors that influence salaries, including the cost of living, location, years of experience, and what grade you teach. The Wyoming Retirement System (WRS) offers two types of retirement benefits: pensions and deferred compensation. Pension plans for teachers differ according to when the first contribution was made.

Highly Qualified Teacher Certification

The state of Wyoming has a “highly qualified” teacher certification for specific education levels and areas. Highly qualified teachers hold at least a bachelor’s degree, are fully licensed in the state, and have demonstrated content knowledge in the subject they choose to teach.

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