Maine Education Statistics
Avg. Elem. Teacher Salary* | $52,860 |
Avg. Sec. Teacher Salary* | $55,260 |
Avg. Admin. Salary* | $85,050 |
Teacher Retention (?) | 94% |
Vacation Wks/Yr | 15 |
Learn how to become a teacher in Maine (or administrator). Choose the description of certification you are most interested in or situation that best describes you:
Avg. Elem. Teacher Salary* | $52,860 |
Avg. Sec. Teacher Salary* | $55,260 |
Avg. Admin. Salary* | $85,050 |
Teacher Retention (?) | 94% |
Vacation Wks/Yr | 15 |
Investing in our future is vitally important and strangely difficult. In order to fight oppression from the greedy and power-hungry elite, to better our ways of life with advancing technology, and to increase our country's overall views toward the concept of acceptance, we need education to be a priority. Learn how you can be a spoke in this terribly important wheel. See how Maine measures up to the rest of the country by viewing the percentage of state revenue going toward education in each state. (see State Education Spending vs. Overall State Revenue).
Maine’s Education Commissioner recently released a report outlining the Department of Education’s plans to improve learning within public schools in the state. Some of the ideas include using technology in the classroom more often, developing personal learning plans for students, and focusing more on students and the learning process rather than tests and strict time limits. This would involve offering internship and apprenticeship opportunities to interested students, as well as the expansion of online learning in Maine’s public schools. Those who aspire to become teachers in Maine eagerly anticipate these exciting changes, as they strive to make the learning process more effective for both teachers and students. Find schools offering teaching certification programs in Maine.
Grand Canyon University - Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral programs
For those seeking licensure or looking to enter the field of education for the first time, but with a degree in a field other than education, GCU has initial programs that lead to licensure and programs that do not lead to licensure.
USC Rossier Master of Arts in Teaching Online — No GRE *
Purdue Global University - offering Bachelors and Masters programs
From master’s degrees to teacher-certification pathways, Purdue Global University offers flexible online education programs to help you pursue a career in teaching, enhance your current skills, or advance in your education career.*
The Maine Department of Education (207-624-6603) requires that all teachers in the state hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and graduate from a state-approved program of teacher preparation in Maine.
Did you graduate from a teacher preparation program outside of Maine? If the program from which you graduated is either nationally accredited or regionally accredited, the Maine Department of Education will likely accept your credits. Maine recognizes the following regional accreditation agencies:Did you graduate from a teacher preparation program in a foreign country? If so, call the Maine Department of Education at 207-624-6603. They will provide you with the necessary forms to have your academic credentials evaluated by Academic & Credential Records Evaluation & Verification Service.
Certification OptionsAn overview of Maine’s assessment requirements for teachers can be found at the Praxis site.
Basic skills testing:
Before receiving initial teacher certification in Maine, you must pass the Praxis I basic skills tests in reading, writing, and mathematics. Your composite score on the three sections must be at least 526, with scores of at least 176 in reading, 175 in writing, and 175 in mathematics.
You must also pass the Principles of Learning and Teaching test pertinent to the grade level you intend to teach.
Content area assessment testing:As an applicant for initial teacher certification, the Maine Department of Education requires that you have completed a comprehensive practicum as well as a student teaching assignment as part of your teacher preparation program.
During the student teaching portion, you will be expected to lead the class in lessons, as well as assist the classroom teacher of record prepare and use lesson plans as specified either by the classroom teacher of record or by the certification official at your teacher preparation program. The duration of your student teaching experience will vary depending upon your teacher preparation program’s rules.
Mail all of the above to State of Maine Department of Education, Certification Office, 23 State House Station, Augusta ME 04333-0023.
After submitting all materials, you may check the status of your certification anytime online.
Before the Maine Department of Education will issue you a teaching certificate, you must complete the fingerprinting process necessary for running a criminal history background check. You’ll find approved sites to have your fingerprints taken and process explanations here. You are responsible for paying the $55 fingerprinting fee. You will not receive a teaching certificate until the Maine Department of Education receives a cleared background report.
For information on department-approved teacher preparation programs in Maine, contact them directly.
For information on the initial teacher certification process in Maine, contact the Maine Department of Education at 207-624-6603.
* 2019 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data - Conditions in your area may vary.
**Teacher Retention Sources - U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education, Statistics Schools and Staffing Survey, 1999–2000 (“Public School Teacher Questionnaire,” “Private School Teacher Questionnaire,” and “Public Charter School Teacher Questionnaire”), and 2000–01 Teacher Follow-up Survey (“Questionnaire for Current Teachers” and “Questionnaire for Former Teachers,” Table 1.01). Washington, DC.
State estimations based on analysis by Richard Ingersoll, Professor of Education and Sociology, University of Pennsylvania, from the National Center for Education Statistics Student and Staffing Survey, and therefore include a slight margin of error.