3 Career-Boosting Moves for North Carolina Educators
| by Hannah Sparling
North Carolina is a great place to build a teaching career. There’s a high demand for teachers, diverse students and schools, and ample professional development opportunities — not to mention the beautiful scenery and outdoor recreation.
If you’re a teacher in the Tar Heel State, below are 3 ideas to help you boost your career in education. It goes beyond the classroom. It’s about gaining leadership experience, increasing your qualifications, and maximizing your earning potential.
1. Pursue Leadership Roles
Taking on leadership roles in your school or district can significantly enhance your career growth and earning potential. North Carolina offers multiple pathways for teachers to step into leadership positions, such as becoming a mentor teacher, an instructional coach, a department chair, or a grade-level lead. These positions allow educators to shape curriculum, support colleagues, and contribute to school-wide initiatives.
If you’re interested in school administration, you could earn your administrator license to open the door to assistant principal or principal roles.
You could also consider roles outside the traditional school day. Coaches and club leaders often get an additional stipend. You could coach basketball or cross country, run the debate club, or direct the school musical. This is a great way to give back to your school community — sharing your interests with students and helping them grow and develop outside the classroom — while also earning a little extra money for yourself.
It’s important to think about your long-term career goals and talk to the leadership team at your school or district to learn what opportunities are available. Are there particular skills or certifications you’ll need? Start working now to develop and earn those. When you have a long-term plan in place, it’s easier to see the short-term steps you need to take to get there.
2. Earn an Advanced Degree
The average starting teacher salary in North Carolina is $40,136, according to the National Education Association. The average overall teacher salary in the Tar Heel State is $56,559, No. 38 in the nation.
But pursuing a master’s degree can significantly increase your earning potential over time. In North Carolina, teachers with a master’s degree receive a salary supplement of approximately 10% above the base salary. According to the 2023-2024 North Carolina State Salary Schedules, a new teacher with a master’s degree earns $3,900 more a year than a teacher with the same experience but a bachelor’s only. This difference continues to grow over time, leading to higher lifetime earnings.
North Carolina has a critical need for special education, STEM, and early childhood education teachers, so you might consider pursuing a master’s degree in one of those specialties, knowing the job market is strong.
Moreland University’s M.Ed. program features six specializations: early childhood, special education, teaching multilingual learners, globalization in education, educational technology, and educational research. The program is fully accredited and 100% online. If you are still working to earn your professional teaching license in North Carolina, you could earn your license and your master’s degree through Moreland in as little as 12 months.
If you already have your professional teaching license, you could consider Moreland’s 12-month Master’s in Educational Leadership program or the 12-month Master’s in Globalization & Education Research program. These are great ways to open new career opportunities and deepen your skillset based on your interests and passions.
3. Achieve National Board Certification
One of the most impactful ways North Carolina teachers can advance their careers and boost their salaries is by earning National Board Certification (NBC). According to the 2023-2024 North Carolina State Salary Schedules, teachers who achieve National Board Certification receive about a 12% salary supplement on top of their base salary.
Take the Next Step with Moreland University
Implementing these strategies can increase your salary, expand career opportunities, and help you achieve your goals in education. Whether you’re pursuing a master’s degree or preparing for a leadership role, Moreland offers flexible, innovative programs designed to fit your schedule.
Ready to take the next step in your education career in North Carolina? Apply today to begin your journey with Moreland.
