3 Strategies to Advance Your Teaching Career in Minnesota

There are several options for advancing your teaching career in Minnesota to enhance your qualifications, expand your job opportunities in education, and increase your earning potential. Whether you’re new to the profession or planning the next step in your professional growth, these three approaches can make a meaningful impact on your career advancement: 

1. Specialize in High-Demand Teaching Areas 

Minnesota has identified a number of Designated Teacher Shortage Areas on the state level including English as a Second Language (ESL), special education, early childhood education, career and technical education, STEM subjects, and world languages. By earning endorsements or certifications in these high-need fields, educators can enhance their job security and may also receive financial benefits. While the state does not mandate differential pay for teachers in shortage areas, some districts do offer additional compensation, such as Saint Paul Public Schools, which provided hiring bonuses of up to $10,000 for special education teachers in recent years. 

Completing a teacher certification preparation program can help you get ready for the foundational elements of teaching any of these subjects, and if you already hold a full teaching license, pursuing an advanced degree can help deepen your knowledge of and specialization in these high-demand teaching areas. Many educators choose to earn a Master’s in Education, which can sometimes be a years-long process, but Moreland University’s M.Ed. can be completed fully online in as little as 12 months and candidates tailor their coursework with one of six in-demand specializations to align with career objectives. Flexible programs like this can help educators fast-track their professional growth.

2. Look for Leadership Opportunities 

Taking on leadership roles is a logical step in career advancement for teachers anywhere, and that is true in Minnesota’s education system, too. Educators can grow professionally by serving as mentors, leading professional learning communities, or participating in state-sponsored leadership programs. Mentoring new teachers also helps strengthen collaboration while preparing educators for coaching and administrative positions. Many school districts also reward individuals who take on these responsibilities by providing stipends or salary increases for the additional workload. Roles such as department chair or curriculum coordinator often receive similar salary supplements. 

One way to enhance professional credibility and open the door to more leadership opportunities is by earning National Board Certification. This well-respected certification is designed to help strengthen teachers’ instructional skills and is widely recognized as a qualification of teaching excellence. Many school districts in Minnesota and across the U.S. prioritize educators with National Board Certification for mentorship roles, instructional coaching positions, and professional development leadership. 

3. Make the Move to Administration 

Teachers looking to improve education at a systemic level often pursue school administration, a path that allows them to expand their impact, take on leadership roles, and advocate for meaningful change beyond just one building. In addition to the ability to shape school policies, administrative roles often come with higher earning potential than classroom teaching positions, with Minnesota principals earning an average salary of $94,537 and top earners reaching as much as $148,382 per year. 

Educators aspiring to work in school administration may choose to pursue a master’s degree that helps them build the skills and credentials needed for leadership roles. Offered 100% online, Moreland’s Master’s in Education Leadership program is designed to accommodate the schedules and responsibilities of working teachers while preparing them to lead in schools and districts.

Minnesota Teachers Grow with Support from Moreland University 

By specializing in high-demand fields and stepping into leadership roles, Minnesota educators can unlock new career opportunities. Moreland offers flexible, innovative programs designed to fit the schedules of busy teachers and help them reach their professional goals. 

If you’re ready to take your Minnesota teaching career to the next level with a fully online teacher certification or master’s degree program that provides flexibility and support to increase your earning potential while developing the skills you need to succeed as your career advances, complete your free application today. You can fill it out in less than 15 minutes, and most applicants hear back within 2 business days.