How to Become a Teacher in San Antonio
Public schools in San Antonio may be part of the Northside Independent School District (Northside ISD or NISD), with 106,700 students in 119 schools, North East Independent School District (NEISD), with 66,101 students in 75 schools, San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD), with 50,683 students in 99 schools, Southwest Independent School District (Southwest ISD), with13,873 students in 18 schools, and several smaller districts operating within city limits.1 Of these, the Northside ISD is the largest and will be the main district discussed on this page. Continue reading to learn more about teaching careers in San Antonio.
San Antonio Teacher Certification Requirements
To become a teacher in San Antonio public schools, an individual must hold the appropriate teaching certificate from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). To be eligible for certification, teachers must provide evidence of successful completion of a bachelor’s degree, a teacher preparation program, and the relevant TExES exam(s). Certification is finalized upon completion of a background investigation and fingerprinting. The traditional way to fulfill these requirements is by completing a bachelor’s degree and an approved teacher preparation program. To learn more about the traditional path to teacher certification in Texas, visit our Texas teacher certification guide.
Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education can still earn the necessary credentials to teach in Texas by completing an alternative educator preparation program, such as a one-year certificate or a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree. Texas alternative teacher certification can allow prospective teachers to teach in the SAISD while completing the necessary coursework. Learn more through our guide to alternative teacher certification in Texas.
Teacher Certification Programs in San Antonio
The following colleges and universities in the San Antonio metro area offer teacher preparation programs that can lead to first-time certification or additional endorsement areas for already licensed teachers. You can also check out our Texas education schools page for more information about options in the state.
- Our Lady of the Lake University
- St. Mary’s University
- Texas A&M University-San Antonio
- Texas Lutheran University
- Texas State University
- Trinity University
- University of the Incarnate Word
- University of Texas-San Antonio
San Antonio School District Steps for Becoming a Teacher
You must have a teaching certificate to be considered for a teaching position with the Northside ISD. You can apply for certification through TEA. You can complete the requirements through the traditional route of completing a bachelor’s degree with a teacher preparation component or the alternative route of completing a post-graduate teacher preparation program if you already have a bachelor’s degree. See the certification section for more details. Teaching candidates who have certification must complete the multi-step application process outlined below to work for the Northside ISD:
Step 1: Complete your application.
Fill out an online application for a position in your area of certification. You will be required to upload the necessary documentation, including a resume, official transcripts, and a copy of your teaching certificate. Candidates with previous teaching experience are required to provide copies of three recent performance reviews.
Step 2: Attend an interview with a school leader or panel.
If selected, you may be invited to an interview with the hiring school. You may be asked to bring supporting documents, such as a resume or sample lesson plans at this time.
Step 3: Complete the hiring process.
Once you have been offered a position with the school system, you will need to complete administrative paperwork and other requirements. As per Texas law, newly hired candidates must submit a fingerprint-based background check.
Contact Information
Northside Independent School District
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthsideISD
5900 Evers Rd
San Antonio, TX 78238
(210) 397-8500
https://www.nisd.net/
How to Become a Substitute Teacher with the San Antonio School District
To apply for the substitute teaching pool in the Northside ISD, apply online during an open recruiting period. The minimum requirements are a high school diploma and passing a fingerprint-based background check. You will likely be invited to an interview and be asked to submit supporting documents depending on the position. These requirements are typical for school districts in the San Antonio area.
Private and Charter School Teacher Requirements in San Antonio
Private and charter schools may have different hiring requirements. To work in San Antonio charter schools, teachers are not always required to hold state certification but are required to pass the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES). Private school teachers are exempt from Texas teacher certification requirements. However, individual schools may prefer to hire certified candidates. Take a look at private and charter school websites to learn more about their hiring practices and requirements.
The Largest K-12 Schools in San Antonio
To help you compare public, private, and charter schools in San Antonio that may have openings for teachers, we compiled the following table that compares the largest schools in the San Antonio metro.1
| School | Type | Grade Level | # Students | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behlau Elementary School | Public | PK-5 | 1,105 | 18:1 |
| Bulverde Creek Elementary School | Public | PK-5 | 1,101 | 17:1 |
| Hoffman Elementary School | Public | PK-5 | 1,013 | 16:1 |
| Jefferson Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,509 | 18:1 |
| Garcia Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,474 | 18:1 |
| Luna Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,358 | 18:1 |
| Reagan High School | Public | 9-12 | 3,517 | 19:1 |
| O’Connor High School | Public | 9-12 | 3,327 | 18:1 |
| Madison High School | Public | 9-12 | 3,287 | 17:1 |
| Brooks Academy of Science & Engineering | Charter | K-12 | 1,700 | 21:1 |
| George Gervin Academy | Charter | PK-12 | 1,209 | 24:1 |
| Jubilee Academies | Charter | K-12 | 1,150 | 19:1 |
| Cornerstone Christian Schools | Private | PK-12 | 1,326 | 13:1 |
| San Antonio Christian Schools | Private | PK-12 | 1,001 | 8:1 |
| Saint Mary’s Hall | Private | PK-12 | 974 | 10:1 |
San Antonio Teacher Salary and Jobs Outlook
During the 2024-2025 school year, first-year teachers with Northside ISD started at a minimum annual salary of $59,255, but those with advanced credentials or qualifications may receive higher salaries.1 Teachers’ salaries increase each year as they gain experience and more qualifications.1
The table below compares various classroom teaching roles in San Antonio 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 | 1,250 | $62,620 | $83,710 | 3.8% |
| Elementary School Teachers | 10,670 | $63,000 | $83,190 | 3.9% |
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, SPED | 1,910 | $62,800 | $81,740 | 1.5% |
| Middle School Teachers | 4,920 | $62,250 | $72,290 | 3.9% |
| Middle School Teachers, SPED | 690 | $61,700 | $70,860 | 1.3% |
| Secondary School Teachers | 9,430 | $62,340 | $82,520 | 4.3% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education | 1,080 | $62,600 | $80,310 | 3.3% |
| Secondary School Teachers, SPED | 1,340 | $62,230 | $80,670 | 0.9% |
San Antonio 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)
San Antonio Teaching Jobs Boards
Teaching jobs are posted throughout the year for opportunities in San Antonio public, private, and charter schools. Search online job boards to find positions in San Antonio that match your skills. You can also check out our jobs board to search for teaching jobs in San Antonio.
- Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools
- Archdiocese of San Antonio Catholic Schools
- Texas Charter Schools
- San Antonio Independent School District
Additional Resources
- San Antonio Northside Independent School District (NISD): The largest public school district in the San Antonio metro.
- San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel: The elected employee union representing the SAISD.
- San Antonio Music Teachers Association (SAMTA): Provides information and resources for area music teachers and their students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How much do substitute teachers in San Antonio make?
Answer: The pay level for substitute teachers in San Antonio varies by district. In the largest school district, the Northside ISD, substitutes with at least 90 semester hours of college credit earn $110 per day; substitutes with a bachelor’s but not teacher certification earn $120 per day; and substitutes with teacher certification earn $130 per day.5 Long-term substitute assignments lasting 10 consecutive days or longer pay $155 per day.5 Substitutes who complete special education training can earn up to $10 per day more when serving in specialized instruction environments.5
Question: How do I find teaching jobs in San Antonio?
Answer: Since there are various districts in San Antonio and each maintains its own hiring requirements and processes, you may have better chances of landing employment if you apply to multiple districts. San Antonio school districts you can consider applying to include the Northside ISD, the NEISD, the SAISD, the Harlandale Independent School District (Harlandale ISD), the Southwest ISD, and the Edgewood Independent School District (Edgewood ISD), among others.
References:
1. Niche, Largest School Districts in San Antonio: https://www.niche.com/k12/search/largest-school-districts/t/san-antonio-bexar-tx/
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX Metropolitan Division: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_41700.htm#25-0000
3. Texas Labor Market Information: https://texaslmi.com/LMIbyCategory/Projections
4. Teacher Shortage Areas: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/educator-initiatives-and-performance/teacher-shortage-areas-2023-2024
5. Northside Independent School District Substitute Handbook: https://www.nisd.net/sites/default/files/documents/substitute-handbook.pdf