How to Become a Teacher in Jacksonville
The Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) school district serves Jacksonville with approximately 129,000 students and over 8,000 teachers.1 To work as a teacher in the public school system, you must be certified by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE). This process requires a bachelor’s degree and successful completion of an educator preparation program and content exams. Keep reading to find out more about teaching in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville Teacher Certification Requirements
To teach in Jacksonville public schools, you must be certified by the state of Florida. There are many routes to teacher certification in Florida. The traditional path is to complete a bachelor’s degree program that includes a teacher preparation component and apply directly for certification. If you have an out-of-state teaching certification, you may be eligible for Florida certification by reciprocity. See the Florida teacher certification page for more information.
Alternatively, if you have a bachelor’s degree but have not completed teacher preparation, you can apply for temporary certification or an alternative program to gain classroom experience and meet full certification requirements. See our Florida alternative teacher certification page for more information.
Teacher Certification Programs in Jacksonville
The Jacksonville-area colleges and universities listed below offer teacher preparation programs that can qualify you for first-time certification or additional endorsements if you are already certified. You can also visit our Florida education schools guide to learn more about certification programs in the state.
- Edward Waters College
- Flagler College
- Florida State College at Jacksonville
- Jacksonville University
- St. Johns River State College
- University of North Florida
Jacksonville School District Steps for Becoming a Teacher
Teachers in Jacksonville need a Professional Florida Educator’s Certificate from the FLDOE. To earn this certificate, you must complete a bachelor’s degree and an approved teacher preparation program, complete an approved alternative educator program, or have out-of-state credentials reviewed for equivalency. See the certification section for more information. If you have been certified, you can follow the steps below to look for jobs with DCPS.
Step 1: Complete the online application.
First you should complete the online application and submit your transcripts, proof of certification, and resume. Once your application is complete, you can apply for open positions throughout the district.
Step 2: Attend an interview with school officials.
Schools will contact you individually if your application matches their requirements. You will likely be asked to attend an interview with school officials to see if you are a good match for the school and job. You may also be asked to bring additional documents, such as sample lesson plans or exercises.
Step 3: Complete the hiring process.
If you are hired, the principal will submit an employment eligibility review form to the school board to verify you meet the requirements for the position. You will then attend an individual orientation to complete administrative and human resources details and a two-day new teacher orientation with other new hires before your first day of school.
Contact Information
Duval County Public Schools
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/duvalschools/
X: https://x.com/DuvalSchools
1701 Prudential Dr
Jacksonville, FL 32207
(904) 390-2000
https://dcps.duvalschools.org/
How to Become a Substitute Teacher with the Jacksonville School District
ESS, a third-party service provider, manages substitute teaching positions on behalf of DCPS. You should apply to ESS directly for these jobs. You must have at least 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university, English literacy, and be able to pass a fingerprint background check. If you are invited to a pre-screening interview, you will also complete a substitute teaching orientation, employment orientation, and behavioral interview, along with submitting your resume, two reference letters, and official transcripts. To stay active, substitute teachers must work at least one Monday and one Friday each month.
Private and Charter School Teacher Requirements in Jacksonville
Private and charter schools in Jacksonville set their own job requirements and typically hire through online postings, job fairs, or word-of-mouth. If you want to work in these types of schools, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree. Often, teacher certification and relevant experience are preferred. The application process typically involves submitting a resume and cover letter, attending an interview, and providing professional references. Review job postings closely for specific instructions set by the school. Private and charter schools offer the chance to teach small class sizes, often with a religious or specialized subject matter influence. There are many private and charter schools in the Jacksonville area; contact schools directly to find out about current opportunities.
The Largest K-12 Schools in Jacksonville
To help you compare public, charter, and private schools in Jacksonville that regularly hire qualified teachers, we have designed the following table that compares the largest K-12 schools in the Jacksonville metro.
| School | Type | Grade Level | # Students | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chet’s Creek Elementary School | Public | K-5 | 1,315 | 16:1 |
| Westview School | Public | PK-8 | 1,234 | 14:1 |
| New Berlin Elementary School | Public | PK-5 | 1,180 | 17:1 |
| Landmark Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,529 | 18:1 |
| Mandarin Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,478 | 19:1 |
| Duncan U. Fletcher Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,357 | 20:1 |
| Sandalwood High School | Public | 9-12 | 2,846 | 24:1 |
| Mandarin High School | Public | 9-12 | 2,594 | 22:1 |
| Atlantic Coast High School | Public | 9-12 | 2,358 | 22:1 |
| Duval Charter at Baymeadows | Charter | K-8 | 1,252 | — |
| Duval Charter School at Mandarin | Charter | K-8 | 990 | 32:1 |
| River City Science Middle/High School Academy | Charter | 6-12 | 942 | — |
| The Bolles School | Private | PK-12 | 1,634 | 12:1 |
| Trinity Christian Academy | Private | PK-12 | 1,315 | 15:1 |
| Providence School | Private | K-12 | 1,299 | 13:1 |
See Table Notes and References at bottom of page.
Jacksonville Teacher Salary and Jobs Outlook
During the 2023-2024 school year, first-year teachers with DCPS started at a minimum annual salary of $52,888, with higher salaries available for those with advanced credentials, experience, or other qualifications.1
The table below compares various classroom teaching roles in Jacksonville 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 2023-313 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | 520 | $52,630 | $68,840 | N.Av. |
| Elementary School Teachers | 6,790 | $69,070 | $79,000 | 15.1% |
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, SPED | 290 | $77,120 | $78,940 | N.Av. |
| Middle School Teachers | 2,650 | $68,910 | $77,560 | 15.1% |
| Middle School Teachers, SPED | 60 | $48,650 | $62,800 | N.Av. |
| Secondary School Teachers | 3,580 | $69,180 | $78,980 | 15.2% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education | 610 | $69,280 | $85,340 | N.Av. |
| Secondary School Teachers, SPED | 1,340 | $78,990 | $78,990 | N.Av. |
Jacksonville 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. Your endorsements may also make you eligible for additional funding or a higher salary. Note that shortage areas may change from year to year, so you should check with state education agencies, your selected education program, and your student loan providers about funding options. For the 2018-2019 school year, the following subject areas were recognized as shortage areas in Florida (statewide):4
- English
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- Exceptional Student Education (ESE)
- Mathematics
- Reading
- Science-General
- Science-Physical
Jacksonville Teaching Jobs Boards
Many teaching jobs can be found through online job boards. Below are a few ways to find teacher job listings in Jacksonville. You can also see our jobs board to search for teaching job openings in Jacksonville.
Additional Resources
- Duval County Public Schools (DCPS): Getting Started: Provides resources for first-time and new-to-district educators.
- Duval Teachers United (DTU): The union for Jacksonville public school teachers, education paraprofessionals, and other eligible employees.
- Jacksonville Music Teachers Association (JAXMTA): Provides resources for local music teachers and sponsors recitals and other programs for educators and students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How much do substitute teachers make in Jacksonville?
Answer: Substitute teachers with less than a bachelor’s degree are paid $109.95 per day, while those with a bachelor’s degree earn $117.28 per day.1
Question: How do I find teacher assistant jobs in Jacksonville?
Answer: Teacher assistants, classified as paraprofessionals in Jacksonville public schools, are hired through DCPS. College credit is typically required to qualify, but this may vary depending on the grade level and need level of the position.
Table Notes and References:
1. Niche, Largest Schools in Jacksonville: https://www.niche.com/k12/search/largest-schools/t/jacksonville-duval-fl/
References:
1. Duval County Public Schools: https://dcps.duvalschools.org/
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Jacksonville, FL: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_27260.htm3. Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Employment Projections: https://www.floridajobs.org/workforce-statistics/data-center/statistical-programs/employment-projections
4. Florida Department of Education, Identification of Critical Teacher Shortage Areas, 2018-2019: https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7584/urlt/CTSA1819.pdf