The teacher is a professional. As a professional, the teacher has the responsibility to instruct, guide, and support students on their learning journey. Teachers typically work in schools, colleges, or universities, and are responsible for teaching curricular standards. These standards are generally developed by curriculum experts and adopted by state educational governing agencies. A teacher’s daily responsibilities include planning and delivering lessons, assessing student learning, and providing feedback and support based on these state or institutional mandated standards. The focus of teachers is to assist students in achieving their educational goals.

Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Early Learning
The purpose of the Utah Early Learning Standards: Ages 3 to 5 document is to give administrators, early childhood professionals, and families of preschool-aged students guidance and resources regarding developmentally appropriate standards and goals for young children and
students. Early childhood education is comprehensive and promotes cognitive, physical, language, and social emotional development. These standards foster school readiness and build a foundation for later academic and social success.

Elementary Education
Elementary education requires teachers to effectively teach all curricular areas. These areas include reading, writing, math, and science. A bachelor’s degree in elementary education is generally offered at most higher education institutions. Elementary teachers must be qualified to serve students with diverse learning needs, such as English language learners or students with disabilities. Elementary teacher are masters of all subjects and must have a limitless supply of energy to navigate and succeed each day.

Secondary Teachers
The key difference between a secondary teacher and an elementary teacher is the focus on one content area. Most secondary teachers major in a content area such as English, Social Science, Math, Art, etc. Secondary teachers are the “expert” in their content area and are generally qualified to teach all subjects that fall within their content area. Various state required endorsements help educational stakeholders to ascertain which qualifications are necessary to teach particular courses of study.

Overall,  to become a teacher, a student typically needs to complete a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field, and obtain a teaching license or certification from the state or jurisdiction in which they wish to teach. Most states base a teacher’s salary on the degree or level or education that the teacher obtains. The wonderful thing about teachers is that they get paid to continue learning. Teachers are compensated for pursuing advanced degrees, such as Master’s and Doctorate degrees to become a more qualified educator.

Special Education Teachers
Special education is a vital part of the education experince. Almost all educational programs require educators to take coursework on exceptional learners. Every school has multiple teaching opportunities for qualified teachers in special education.

Teacher Shortages

Why Teachers are Leaving Teaching

Teacher Endorsements

Endorsements may attach to a license area of concentration. Content endorsements may attach to Elementary Education and Secondary Education. If attached to Elementary Education, the educator is qualified to teach 7th and 8th grade in a middle school. To be eligible for an endorsement area, you must already have a current Utah Educator License, or include form(s) with your Out-of-State (OOS) Application Packet.

There are two applications available for most endorsements. You may use the Retiring Application until June 30, 2023. The new Competency-Based Application is now available.

The State Approved Endorsement Plan (SAEP) is no longer available for new endorsements. Please apply for the Associate Endorsement if you have not met all requirements for a Professional Endorsement. Any current endorsements under the SAEP must be completed prior to the expiration date; use the Retiring Application to apply for the Professional Endorsement. ^{(https://www.schools.utah.gov/licensing/endorsements)}

The following are teacher endorsements in the state of Utah:

• Adult Education
• Special Education
• American Sign Language (ASL)
• Driver Education
• Dual Language Immersion (DLI)
• Education Technology
• Educator Development
• English/Language Arts
• Fine Arts
• Gifted and Talented
• Health Education
• Library Media
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Physical Education
• Science
• Social Studies
• World Languages

The following links contain the information required to gain Teacher Endorsements through the Utah State Board of Education.

Vocabulary

Educator Endorsements

Early Childhood Education

Elementary Education

Secondary Education

Special Education