How to Become a Teacher in Fort Worth
The Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) oversees over 140 K-12 schools that provide education to more than 84,000 students, offering many employment opportunities for prospective teachers.1 Teachers in the Fort Worth public school system must have a teaching certificate from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Requirements to teach at private or charter schools in Fort Worth may differ based on individual school guidelines. Continue reading to learn more about teaching opportunities in Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Teacher Certification Requirements
To work as a classroom teacher in the FWISD, you must hold a bachelor’s degree, complete an approved teacher education program, and pass the state TExES exams. The traditional way to complete these requirements is through an approved bachelor’s degree program with a teaching component. More detailed information about becoming a teacher through the traditional pathway in Texas can be found on our Texas teacher certification page.
Aspiring teachers in Fort Worth who have a bachelor’s degree but have not completed teacher preparation can pursue Texas alternative teacher certification. An alternative program can be completed in as little as one year including coursework and practice teaching, after which you must pass the same state TExES exams as traditional applicants. To learn more about this option, visit our Texas alternative teacher certification page.
Teacher Certification Programs in Fort Worth
The following colleges and universities in Fort Worth offer state-approved certification programs that can prepare you for first-time teacher licensure or additional endorsements. You can read more about teacher preparation in the state on our Texas education schools page.
- Arlington Baptist University
- Texas Christian University
- Texas Wesleyan University
- University of Texas-Arlington
Fort Worth School District Steps for Becoming a Teacher
The FWISD hires educators who are certified to teach in Texas. You can complete the traditional path to certification by finishing a bachelor’s degree with an approved educator preparation component or an alternative path to certification if you already have a bachelor’s degree. See our certification section for more information. Once you are certified, you can apply for positions with the Fort Worth Independent School District by completing the following steps.
Step 1: Complete the online application.
First, complete the online application and upload a current resume. You can apply for open teaching positions once your application is reviewed and approved.
Step 2: Be interviewed by a school leader or panel.
After you have applied for an open job, you will be contacted by school leaders if they would like you to come for an interview. You may be required to demonstrate a lesson plan and provide official transcripts of college coursework, two professional references from previous employers, and a letter of recommendation from a principal or a supervisor if applicable.
Step 3: Complete the hiring process.
If offered a position with the school system, you will likely be asked to complete the hiring process with a human resources department or other district hiring authority. This may include a background check or a health check.
Contact Information
Fort Worth Independent School District
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fortworthisd/
Twitter: https://x.com/FortWorthISD
100 N University Dr
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 814-2000
https://www.fwisd.org/
How to Become a Substitute Teacher with the Fort Worth School District
A bachelor’s degree and certification are not required to be part of the substitute teaching pool in the FWISD. However, substitute candidates must have completed a minimum of 60 college credits and be available to work at least two days per week. To apply, complete the online application and submit an official transcript. If accepted to the pool, you must complete specific training modules based on your experience and certification level.
Private and Charter School Teacher Requirements in Fort Worth
A teaching certificate is not a state-level requirement to work in private and charter schools in Texas. As a result, private and charter schools in Fort Worth commonly have different hiring requirements than those of the FWISD. However, individual private and charter schools may prefer to hire educators who hold Texas teacher certification. Look for job postings in private and charter schools on their websites.
The Largest K-12 Schools in Fort Worth
To help you learn about public, private, and charter schools in Fort Worth, we compiled the following table of the largest schools in the Fort Worth area.
| School | Type | Grade Level | # Students | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanglewood Elementary School | Public | PK-5 | 875 | 18:1 |
| South Hills Elementary School | Public | PK-5 | 851 | 17:1 |
| Western Hills Elementary School | Public | 2-5 | 836 | 17:1 |
| Elder Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,290 | 19:1 |
| McLean Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,016 | 18:1 |
| Rosemont Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,013 | 18:1 |
| Paschal High School | Public | 9-12 | 2,522 | 17:1 |
| South Hills High School | Public | 9-12 | 2,152 | 18:1 |
| Arlington Heights High School | Public | 9-12 | 1,934 | 16:1 |
| Harmony School of Innovation-Fort Worth | Charter | 6-12 | 868 | 16:1 |
| Harmony Science Academy-Fort Worth | Charter | K-5 | 657 | 16:1 |
| Uplift Meridian Preparatory | Charter | PK-5 | 647 | 17:1 |
| All Saints’ Episcopal School | Private | PK-12 | 1,071 | 8:1 |
| Fort Worth Country Day School | Private | K-12 | 1,066 | 7:1 |
| Trinity Valley School | Private | PK-12 | 1,017 | 9:1 |
See Table Notes and References at bottom of page.
Fort Worth Teacher Salary and Jobs Outlook
During the 2024-2025 school year, first-year teachers at FWISD started at a minimum annual salary of $63,000 but those with advanced credentials or qualifications may receive higher salaries.1 Teachers also receive higher salaries commensurate with experience, along with stipends for duties considered beyond the scope of their contract.
The table below compares various classroom teaching roles in Fort Worth by the total number employed, median annual salary, 90th percentile annual salary, and 10-year job growth projections. Note SPED is an abbreviation for special education.
| Teacher Type | # Employed2 | Median Annual Salary2 | 90th Percentile Annual Salary2 | Proj. Job Growth 2022-323 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | 3,690 | $64,810 | $72,400 | 8% |
| Elementary School Teachers | 37,350 | $65,370 | $70,820 | 7.9% |
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, SPED | 6,470 | $65,310 | $76,400 | 7.3% |
| Middle School Teachers | 17,370 | $65,370 | $72,900 | 8% |
| Middle School Teachers, SPED | 2,240 | $65,420 | $78,120 | 7.4% |
| Secondary School Teachers | 27,950 | $65,940 | $79,610 | 8.3% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education | 4,050 | $66,230 | $80,310 | 7.1% |
| Secondary School Teachers, SPED | 3,400 | $65,370 | $75,580 | 7.6% |
Fort Worth Teacher Shortage Areas
The US Department of Education bases some student loan forgiveness programs on teacher shortage areas, meaning that your chances of qualifying for loan forgiveness may be stronger if you are teaching a subject that has been formally identified as a shortage area. You may also qualify for other funding opportunities or a more competitive salary based on your endorsement(s). Note that shortage areas may change from year to year, so you should be sure to check with state education agencies, your selected education program, and your student loan providers about funding options. For the 2020-2021 school year, the following subject areas were recognized as shortage areas in Texas (statewide):4
- Bilingual/English as a Second Language (Elementary and Secondary)
- Career and Technical Education (Secondary)
- Mathematics (Secondary)
- Special Education (Elementary and Secondary)
- Technology Applications and Computer Science (Secondary)
Fort Worth Teaching Jobs Boards
Online job boards are a great place to start looking for teaching positions. Take a look at these job boards with postings in Fort Worth. You can also check out our jobs board to search for teaching jobs in Fort Worth.
- Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
- Texas Charter Schools
- Fort Worth Independent School District
Additional Resources
- Fort Worth Education Association (FWEA): An affiliate of the Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) providing a local voice for Fort Worth-area teachers.
- Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD): The public school district for K-12 schools in Fort Worth.
- United Educators Association Texas (UEA TX): An association focusing on the needs of educators serving in North Texas schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is the pay for Fort Worth substitute teachers?
Answer: Substitute teachers in Fort Worth earn $120 per day if they have 60 college credit hours, $130 per day if they have a bachelor’s degree, $135 per day if they have a bachelor’s plus teacher certification, and $140 per day if they taught in and retired from the FWISD.1 Note that only substitutes with a bachelor’s degree are eligible for long-term substitute positions (those lasting 11 days or longer), which pay at a higher rate of $140 per day for each day beginning the 11th full day.1
Question: How can I find out about jobs in Fort Worth public schools?
Answer: The FWISD publishes job openings on its website, as well as announcements about upcoming career fairs, a recruiting calendar, and other resources for prospective teachers.
Table Notes and References:
1. Niche, Largest Schools in the Fort Worth Area: https://www.niche.com/k12/search/largest-schools/t/fort-worth-tarrant-tx/
References:
1. Fort Worth Independent School District: https://www.fwisd.org/
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metropolitan Division: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_19100.htm
3. Texas Labor Market Information, Tarrant County WDA Long-term Occupation Projections: https://texaslmi.com/LMIbyCategory/Projections
4. Texas Education Agency, Student Loan Forgiveness for Teachers: https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/2020-2021-teacher-shortage-areas-and-loan-forgiveness-programs